Ford Explorer EV

Last updated
Ford Explorer EV
Ford Explorer EV Auto Zuerich 2023 1X7A1325.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Ford
Model code CX740 [1]
Production2024 (to commence)
AssemblyGermany: Cologne (Cologne Body & Assembly) [2]
Designer Jordan Demkiw (exterior design manager)
Amko Leenarts (head of design)
Liviu Tudoran (senior designer)
Robert Engelmann (senior interior designer)
Body and chassis
Class Compact crossover SUV (C)
Body style 5-door SUV
Layout
Platform Volkswagen Group MEB
Related
Powertrain
Electric motor APP 310 permanent magnet synchronous
Battery
Range346–522 km (215–324 mi) (WLTP)
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,770 mm (109.1 in)
Length4,460 mm (175.6 in)
Width1,870 mm (73.6 in)
Height1,600 mm (63.0 in)

The Ford Explorer is an upcoming battery electric compact crossover SUV (C-segment) produced by Ford through its European operations. [3] Produced in the Cologne Body & Assembly in Germany and marketed mainly in Europe, the vehicle is based on the Volkswagen Group MEB platform, and uses Volkswagen supplied batteries. The vehicle shares its name and design inspiration [4] with the larger SUV produced in the U.S., which is chosen by Ford "as a nod to our American heritage". [5] [6]

Contents

The Explorer EV was planned to be available to order from September 2023, with the first units due to arrive by December of the same year. [7] In August 2023, Ford announced the Explorer EV launch will be pushed back to 2024, due to new battery regulations. [8]

Overview

The Explorer was revealed on 21 March 2023. Built on the same MEB platform as the Volkswagen ID.4, the vehicle is the result of an ongoing partnership between the two brands, which has included sharing commercial vehicles. It is produced in the Cologne plant in Germany, which previously manufactured the Fiesta small car. [6]

The design of the Explorer was done under the direction of lead designer Jordan Demkiw. [4] During its introduction, Ford stated the vehicle combines "German engineering" with the brand's "iconic American SUV design". Compared to its sister car, the ID.4, Ford designers were able to create a shorter rear section, move the A-pillars further rearward, and use a wider track. To ensure the Explorer "drives like a Ford", Demkiw stated that the vehicle received different dampers, tyres, and suspension tuning compared to its Volkswagen counterpart. [9] Ford specifically picked the length of the vehicle halfway between the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4, to avoid direct competition with both models. [10]

In the interior, the Explorer is available with an adjustable 14.6-inch portrait display running Ford's Sync Move software, which allows for full-screen mapping and access to all the smartphone connectivity options. The angle of the screen is adjustable in 20 stages by up to 30 degrees for easier usage and to avoid glare. The Explorer EV also features a 5.0-inch floating digital instrument display that offers driving data, battery charge levels and driver assistance status.

The boot of the Explorer offers an integrated parcel shelf that moves with the tailgate for easier access. The luggage space is rated at 450 L (15.9 cu ft), or 1,400 L (49.4 cu ft) with the rear seats folded. [9]

Details

The options for the Explorer starts with a rear-wheel-drive version which is rated at 168 bhp (170 PS; 125 kW) of horsepower. It is equipped with a Volkswagen supplied 55 kWh (52 kWh usable) battery with an estimated range of up to 350 km (217 mi). Other options include a more powerful single-motor model with 282 bhp (286 PS; 210 kW), featuring a larger 82 kWh (77 kWh usable) battery that is rated at around 540 km (336 mi) in a single charge. This model also has a maximum charging speed of 170 kW. The flagship model Explorer has dual motors with a combined 335 bhp (340 PS; 250 kW), with the same battery and charging capabilities as the mid-range model. The most expensive model is capable of 490 km (304 mi) of range with towing capability rated at 1,400 kg (3,086 lb). All models are capable of fast charging from 10 to 80 percent in about 25 minutes. [4] The available wheel sizes are 19, 20 and 21 inches. [9]

Marketing

To promote the launch of the Explorer in Europe, the automaker has announced that the electric vehicle will embark on a journey around the world, led by influencer Lexie Alford, who holds the record for the youngest person to visit every country of the world. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audi e-tron</span> Series of electric and hybrid cars

The Audi e-tron is a series of electric and hybrid cars shown by Audi from 2009 onwards. In 2012 Audi unveiled a plug-in hybrid version, the A3 Sportback e-tron, released to retail customers in Europe in August 2014, and slated for the U.S. in 2015. A decade after the unveiling of the first e-tron concept at the 2009 International Motor Show Germany, Audi's first fully electric e-tron SUV went into production in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Up</span> German city car

The Volkswagen Up is a city car produced by the Volkswagen Group from 2011 to 2023. It was unveiled at the 2011 International Motor Show Germany (IAA). Production of the Up started with the model year of 2012, in December 2011 at the Volkswagen Plant in Bratislava, Slovakia. It is part of the New Small Family (NSF) series of models, alongside the SEAT Mii and Škoda Citigo which are rebadged versions of the Up, with slightly different front and rear fascias. The SEAT and Škoda versions were manufactured in the same factory, before being withdrawn from sale in 2021 and 2020 respectively. Production of the Up ended in October 2023. A battery electric version, called E-up, was launched in autumn 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kia Niro</span> Compact crossover SUV

The Kia Niro is a compact crossover SUV (C-segment) manufactured by Kia since 2016. It is an electrification-focused vehicle, offering three versions: hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric variants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercedes-EQ</span> Electric brand series by Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-EQ is a series of battery electric vehicles manufactured by Mercedes-Benz. The first model was previewed at the Paris Motor Show in 2016 with the Generation EQ concept vehicle. Mercedes-Benz intends to produce ten EQ models by 2022, three of which will have the Smart brand, representing between 15% and 25% of the company's global sales. All of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle design and production efforts will target the EQ family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Škoda Enyaq</span> Motor vehicle

The Škoda Enyaq iV is a battery electric vehicle compact crossover SUV manufactured by Škoda Auto. It was introduced in September 2020 in Prague, while mass production commenced in November 2020. It utilizes the Volkswagen Group MEB platform, with the Volkswagen ID.4 being a sister model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen ID.3</span> Motor vehicle

The Volkswagen ID.3 is a battery electric small family car (C-segment) produced by Volkswagen since 2019. It is the first production car to utilize the MEB platform, and the first model of the ID. series. It was unveiled on 9 September 2019 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, after being first shown as the I.D. concept car at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Deliveries to retail customers began in Germany in September 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen ID. Buzz</span> Battery electric minivan

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a battery electric minivan produced by German manufacturer Volkswagen. Based on the dedicated battery electric MEB platform, it is the first production electric minivan from Volkswagen and part of the Volkswagen ID. series. The design of the ID. Buzz is inspired by the Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) Microbus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen ID. Crozz</span> Motor vehicle

The Volkswagen ID. Crozz is an electric concept car based on Volkswagen's electric MEB platform, and part of the ID. series. It was first shown as a prototype at the 2017 Shanghai Auto Show. A revised version, named the "ID. Crozz II", was shown at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show. A hint of the ID. Crozz production version was also promised for the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, alongside the debut of the ID.3 and the next generation E-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Group MEB platform</span> Modular electric car platform

The Volkswagen Group MEB platform is a modular car platform for electric cars developed by the Volkswagen Group and its subsidiaries. It is used in models of Audi, Cupra, Škoda, and Volkswagen, along with Ford through partnership. The architecture is aimed to "consolidate electronic controls and reduce the number of microprocessors, advance the application of new driver-assistance technology and somewhat alter the way cars are built" by the VW Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen ID. series</span> Family of battery electric cars

The Volkswagen ID. series is a family of battery electric cars from Volkswagen (VW), built on the MEB platform that is developed by the Volkswagen Group for a range of electric cars. Deliveries began in late 2020. By November 2022, half a million vehicles have been delivered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audi Q8 e-tron</span> Battery electric mid-size luxury crossover SUV

The Audi Q8 e-tron is a battery electric mid-size luxury crossover produced by Audi since 2019. The e-tron was unveiled as a concept car at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. The final production version was revealed in San Francisco on 17 September 2018, publicly debuted at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, and was first delivered in May 2019. It is the company's first battery electric mass production car. The Sportback variant, a coupe style of the e-tron, entered production in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audi Q4 e-tron</span> Motor vehicle

The Audi Q4 e-tron is a battery electric compact luxury crossover SUV produced by Audi. It is based on Volkswagen Group's electric MEB platform and is the fourth fully-electric model in the Audi e-tron series after the Audi Q8 e-tron, e-tron GT and Q2L e-tron. Production began in March 2021, with the production version being unveiled in April 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen ID.4</span> Electric motor vehicle

The Volkswagen ID.4 and Volkswagen ID.5 are battery electric compact crossover SUVs produced by Volkswagen. Based on the MEB platform, the ID.4 is the second model of the Volkswagen ID. series. The production version of the ID.4 debuted in September 2020 as the first fully-electric crossover SUV under the Volkswagen brand, while the coupe-shaped variant of the ID.4 is marketed as the Volkswagen ID.5 and was revealed in November 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen ID.6</span> Motor vehicle

The Volkswagen ID.6 is a battery electric mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by Volkswagen in China from 2021. It is based on the MEB platform, and part of the ID. series electric vehicle line-up. In China, the FAW-Volkswagen joint venture will produce and market the ID.6 Crozz, whereas SAIC-Volkswagen will build and market the ID.6 X with a slightly altered styling. As of April 2022, it is the second largest vehicle of the Volkswagen ID. series, and the second largest built on the MEB platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cupra Tavascan</span> Motor vehicle

The Cupra Tavascan is an battery electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) to be produced by Volkswagen Anhui, a joint venture between Volkswagen (75%) and Chinese company JAC Motors (25%), and sold by Cupra, a subsidiary of SEAT. JAC Motors is 50% owned by Volkswagen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cupra Born</span> Spanish compact electric hatchback

The Cupra Born is a battery electric compact car/small family car (C-segment) marketed by SEAT through its performance-oriented Cupra marque. Initially unveiled as the SEAT el-Born concept in 2019, the production car was revealed in May 2021 as the Cupra Born. The Born is based on the Volkswagen Group MEB platform and has been manufactured at the same plant in Zwickau, Germany, as the MEB-based Volkswagen ID.3. The car is named after a neighbourhood in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen ID. Life</span> Volkswagen concept vehicle

The Volkswagen ID. Life is an electric subcompact SUV concept revealed by German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen at the 2021 International Motor Show Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen ID.7</span> Motor vehicle

The Volkswagen ID.7 is a battery electric car produced by German marque Volkswagen since 2023. It has a five-door liftback design and is marketed in the E-segment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MG4 EV</span> MG electric car

The MG4 EV is a battery electric small family car (C-segment) produced by the Chinese automotive manufacturer SAIC Motor under the British MG marque. First released in June 2022 as the MG Mulan in China, it was introduced in Europe in July 2022.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.fordtechservice.dealerconnection.com/vdirsnet/get_xml/get_vehicle_xml.aspx?country=&group=&isolang=.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ "Ford Explorer EV Is A VW MEB-Based SUV For Europe Priced From $48,500". InsideEVs. March 21, 2023.
  3. ↑ "New Ford Explorer spearheads firm's US-inspired electric reboot". Autocar. March 21, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "New 2023 Ford Explorer electric SUV arrives to take on the Volkswagen ID.4". Auto Express. March 21, 2023.
  5. ↑ Chilton, Chris (March 21, 2023). "Ford Turns VW ID.4 Into Explorer EV For Europe". Carscoops.
  6. 1 2 "Ford Explorer EV races into European segment poised for big gains". Automotive News. March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Ford Explorer: neues E-SUV mit MEB und Wow-Effekt im Innenraum". autobild.de. March 21, 2023.
  8. ↑ "New Ford Explorer launch delayed to mid-2024". Autocar. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  9. 1 2 3 "Ford Explorer EV Is A VW MEB-Based SUV For Europe Priced From $48,500". Motor1.com. March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  10. ↑ "New Ford Explorer spearheads firm's US-inspired electric reboot". Autocar. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  11. ↑ Pappas, Thanos (March 21, 2023). "2023 Ford Explorer EV Will Be Driven Around The Globe By Young Traveler Lexie Alford". Carscoops.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.