All-new Ford Everest 2016 matches technology, luxury with rugged capability

FORD Motor has unveiled its 2016 Everest; a Sport Utility Vehicle designed from the ground up with the durability to take on the most inhospitable environments with rugged off-road capability, exceptional ride quality and dynamic handling.

Speaking at the Launch in Cape Town, South Africa, Ford Everest and Ford Ranger Global Chief Program Engineer, Ian Foston said the brand Everest is designed to meet customers’ specifications.
General Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa, Tracey Delate, said “With the all-new Ford Everest, we’re launching an extremely capable and competitive premium SUV that performs equally well as a comfortable and refined family vehicle or taking on the roughest terrains.”

The all-new Everest represents Ford’s commitment to meet and exceed the highest customer expectations. From the very beginning we set aggressive targets, and with the Ford Everest we have truly raised the bar for this type of vehicle in design and capability, with advanced technologies for a smarter, safer and more capable vehicle, Delate said.

By way of a rugged, sculptural design that reflects its unshakeable toughness and technological prowess, Everest blends strength, smart features and style to bring consumers a tough and versatile SUV with accurate off-road capability.

In terms of technology and other unrivalled features, the new car seems to be a perfect answer to Toyota’s Prado, offering powerful and refined 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel engine with 147kW and 470Nm, intelligent four-wheel drive standard matched to six-speed automatic with Sports shift mode, exceptional 800mm wading depth, 225mm ground clearance, 3-ton towing capacity, 750kg payload and 100kg roof-load rating.

It switch-on-the-fly terrain management system allows users to choose four settings – Normal, Snow/Gravel/Grass, Sand and Rock – that re-map throttle response, transmission shift points, torque spread and traction control to suit the ground. And, when the going gets tough, you can manually lock the transfer case in low-range, all-wheel drive.

Perfect take for Africa’s road condition, hills, rock and sand, Everest is equipped with an electronic differential which is manageable automatically by the Terrain Management System, or through manual activation.

With its Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction Control, Hill Launch Assist, Hill Descent Control and Trailer Sway Control, Everest boasts unbeatable capability and easy to drive features, even in the most demanding conditions.
It has its rear shock absorbers mounted outboard of the frame rails and that would guarantee stability and comfort on rough roads.

One of the toughest SUVs in its segment, the all-new Everest has a true body-on-frame design, assuring the torsional strength required for challenging terrains.
It has its rear shock absorbers mounted outboard of the frame rails and that would guarantee stability and comfort on rough roads.

Furnished with Ford’s Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS), Everest is able to offer varying levels of assistance depending on the vehicle speed and road conditions. Reduced steering effort is required at low speeds to enable easy parking manoeuvres, while allowing for greater steering precision at higher speeds.

The system also effectively cancels steering disturbances and vibration, and enables many of the all-new Everest’s sophisticated driver assist technologies including Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Curve Control and Park Assist.

Interior features balance ride comfort with ultimate practicality, including the likes of an optional dual-panel moon roof and a powered liftgate on the top-spec derivative. This is complemented by more than 30 cleverly designed stowage spaces totalling 48 litres, multiple power outlets and flexible seating and cargo arrangements – including fold-flat second and third-row seating.

Leather trim is standard across the range, but the Limited boasts eight-way powered adjustment for the driver and front passenger seats. The second-row seats offer a 60:40 split and incorporate a centre armrest with cupholders, while the third row features a 50:50 split to maximise comfort and packaging efficiency.

The latest generation of Ford’s in-car connectivity solution, SYNC®2, recognises10 000 natural voice commands to control the car’s entertainment system,climate control and connected mobile devices more easily than ever before. SYNC®2 also boasts an eight-inch touchscreen with colour-coded corners for easy menu navigation.

The entertainment system features a top-end 10-speaker sound system with an integrated subwoofer, providing accurate and precise sound reproduction and deep, rich bass.

Other segment-first technologies in the Everest include Curve Control, designed to help drivers maintain control when approaching turns too quickly, and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert on the Limited model, which informs drivers when there is a vehicle in their blind spot while driving or when preparing to reverse out of parking spots.

The vehicle also offers other advanced features, including Roll Stability Control and an Electronic Stability Program that works with traction control to help the driver stay in control. Active Park Assist on the all-new Everest Limited enables drivers to parallel park hands-free, requiring only accelerating, shifting and braking from the driver.

In addition to advanced active safety systems, a strong passenger cage built using high-strength materials like boron steel, and passive safety features, including seven airbags, help to keep occupants safe in the event of a collision.

Everest is available in three specification levels, starting off with the XLS-spec 2.2 Auto 4×2, as well as the Manual 4×4 and 4×2. The 3.2 Auto 4×4 is available in XLT specification as well as the range-topping Limited guise.