Bojan Vrbnjak
Ford represents his own the first electric car based on VW's modular electric platforms MEB. Surprisingly, the model will get a very well-known name Ford Explorer. Under this name, SUVs with internal combustion engines have been sold in the US for more than 30 let, and the new Ford Explorer is the first with an electric drive.
Ford at the beginning of the presentation he limited himself to exterior and interior photos, with the latter particularly emphasized assistance systems. As for the dimensions, they only said that the car is less than 4,5 meters. This makes the electric SUV slightly shorter than the VW ID.4, with which it shares a platform and which measures 4,58 meters. Trunk and volume from 450 to about 1.400 liters. The trunk floor can be lowered or raised. The optics are more robust than the ID.4 model. Instead of a grid it has Explore smooth surface decorated with the brand logo Ford. The U-shaped skid plate makes the car look more ready than it is, while directing airflow over the front wheels.
It is relatively behind small rear window, along with vertically mounted tail lights, which connects them black element, which highlights the caption Explore. Like the front, the rear also has a U-shaped skid plate. Black A-pillars and unique C-pillars they give the roof a floating appearance. The C-pillars have a contemporary line graphics, embedded in the glass, for a distinctive, aerodynamic and aligned finish. They are also available alloy wheels in size 15, 20 and 21 inches. Two new exterior image colors have been added, namely arctic blue in Blue My Mind. But there are others Frozen White, Magnetic Grey, Agate Black in Lucid Red.
It's in the cockpit Ford changed quite a few things. We can see behind the wheel 5-inch screen instruments. Driving modes P, N, R in D is activated with a lever on the handlebars. It is placed vertically in the middle 14,6-inch screen on touch. Behind it is a kind of safe (My Private Locker). A customizable home screen and large sliders on the touch screen for climate settings provide quick access. There is also a center console (MegaConsole) with plenty of storage space. There will be room in it for 15-inch a laptop or three 1.5 liter bottles and one liter. Two are also available USB-C connector, and two more in the back seats.
They will be available rear and four-wheel drive. Ford, however, remains tight-lipped about performance levels. The ID.4 is available with rear-wheel drive with 150 kW and four-wheel drive with 195 or 220 kW. Ford probably uses it too 77 kWh battery, with which ID.4 achieves 530 kilometers. The battery is charged with direct current in the self 25 minutes (10-80 percent). This is significantly faster than the VW they mention (5-80 percent). To shorten the charging time, the battery is pre-conditioned, which, according to our information, VW does not have. Križanec is also equipped with heat pump, which is paid extra at VW. Two levels of equipment are announced, namely Explore in Explorer Premium. Standard equipment includes heated seats and steering wheel, driver's seat with massage function and keyless entry system. They are optionally available assistance systems, such as automatic lane change system and exit assist. More than a square meter is also available as an add-on panoramic roof.
Ford Explorer will be possible to order towards the end of this year, and should cost less than 45.000 euros. This would make it slightly cheaper than the ID.4, which is only available from 46.000 euros. The car is placed between electric Puma, which will hit the market in 2024, and Mustang Mach-E, which is available from 63.000 euros. The electric Ford newcomer will be manufactured in Germany Cologne, where production of the Fiesta model will end this summer. According to the new Explorer a second electric model is expected to be produced there from mid-2024. As far as we know, it should be for the coupe version of the Explorer, equivalent to VW ID.5. It should be produced annually 200.000 vehicles of both models. By 2026, Ford will invest $ 50 billion into electric mobility worldwide. By then they should have produced 2 million of fully electric vehicles annually, of which 600.000 until the end of this year. Until the year 2030 more than half of Fords built worldwide will be electric.
