Ford confirms rear-drive Everest

Express · 20-06-2016, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Ford confirms rear-drive Everest

Blue oval confirms cheaper, suburban-focused Everest SUV

20 June, 2016
David Morley

2016 Ford Everest Titanium

Ford has responded to a strong trend in the SUV market by revealing its plans to sell a two-wheel-drive version of Drive's 2015 Car of the Year, the Everest.

According to Ford's own figures, some makes and models are split evenly between all and two-wheel-drive, including its own Territory SUV, making the two-wheel-drive Everest an easy business case to make.

But crucially, Ford is also up front about a two-wheel-drive Everest offering buyers something its arch-rival, the Toyota Prado, does not.

Ford Australia CEO and president, Graeme Whickman, told Drive that some new-car buyers wanted the Everest's seating capacity, space and towing ability, without the capability of all-wheel-drive.

"This model will make the Everest a bit more accessible and gives more people the opportunity to buy a Ford," he said.

The new variant will be rear-wheel-drive and will use the Everest's existing 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine and six-speed automatic transmission.

The rear-drive Everest will only be available in Trend specification, rather than the entry-level Ambiente variant.

Mr Whickman also told Drive that the reduced hardware in the two-wheel-drive version would allow Ford to cut the price by about $5000 over the all-wheel-drive Trend model, bringing the base price down to around $56,000.

The two-wheel-drive Everest should hit showrooms in September.

The reduced driveline friction and weight of the newcomer could also spell a fuel-consumption reduction.

Development of the rear-drive Everest was undertaken by the same Ford Australia team that originally designed and engineered the Thai-built Everest, but Mr Whickman would not be drawn on what, if any, other markets would sell the rear-drive model.

There's also no suggestion that Ford would elect to install the less expensive 2.2-litre four cylinder turbo diesel driveline from the Ranger XL models in the Everest.

"You always have to balance range complexity against demand," Mr Whickman said, hinting that a 2.2-litre Everest was not on the agenda.

That said, the engineering would be relatively straightforward as the Everest is heavily based on the Ranger.

At the same time as the two-wheel-drive Everest goes on sale, Ford will also upgrade Everest Trend models and above to its Sync3 connectivity package which will enable Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto connectivity and an improved version of voice recognition.

2016 Ford Everest Titanium price and specifications

On sale: September, 2016

Price: from $55,900 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo diesel

Power: 143kW at 3000rpm

Torque: 470Nm at 1750-2500rpm

Transmission: Six-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive

Fuel use: TBA

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/f...15-gpjl9v.html

Vesper Martini · 20-06-2016, 12:02 PM

Good Call It will still be very capable on outback roads in RWD, and will be much better suited to the highway. wonder if the towing Capacity is the same.

**Polyal** · 20-06-2016, 12:14 PM

If your using it for more around town stuff is this car even worth getting? They will perhaps need to do a bit of suspension work for a more compliant ride if the goal is basically offering a high riding 7 seater?

**TUF_302** · 20-06-2016, 12:23 PM

This is a very smart move, are we sure it was Ford aus's idea lol

xr6man366 · 20-06-2016, 12:25 PM

They should offer Trend and Titanium ... There are heaps of 2WD Territory Titaniums out there.. ford makes more money on high spec too..would want the top line to be at least 10k cheaper than the 4WD though.. if they can keep tow capacity up to around 3 tonne they caravanners will love it

Vesper Martini · 20-06-2016, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

If your using it for more around town stuff is this car even worth getting? They will perhaps need to do a bit of suspension work for a more compliant ride if the goal is basically offering a high riding 7 seater?

You'll find a lot of large SUV's are sold because the owners have a large Caravan or Boat sitting at Home.
Even if its for only 2 trips a Year.

simon varley · 20-06-2016, 02:55 PM

from the motor report http://www.themotorreport.com.au/636...ment-still-tba

Quote:

Due to arrive in Ford showrooms this November, the Everest Trend 4x2 will retain the 3-tonne tow rating of its 4x4 stablemates, as well as their 143kW/470Nm 3.2 litre turbodiesel inline five and six-speed automatic transmission.

Vesper Martini · 20-06-2016, 04:50 PM

That's good, for whatever reason The Territory RWD was rated 300kg less than the AWD

Crazy Dazz · 20-06-2016, 09:14 PM

Most car-buyers are clueless, but it seems to me to be the height of stupidity to buy a big heavy 4wd, without 4wd, especially for $56,000.

But as I said, clueless. Most people who buy 4wds never use it, so this will be a good deal for them.

Seems to me though, that this should be the market for their territory replacement?

Brazen · 21-06-2016, 01:04 AM

Everest was priced too high to begin with and they have been bumbling from one promotion to the next ever since. A 2wd Everest will hurt the Everest brand.

They have royally screwed the introduction of the Everest and will now have to spend years making it up.

csv8 · 21-06-2016, 11:17 AM

2016 Ford Everest Titanium price and specifications

On sale: September, 2016

Price: from $55,900 (plus on-road costs) My comment : The rear drive cannt be $20k cheaper than the 4wd ??? is this Territories replacement ?? Not a SUV from USA ????

Sprintey · 21-06-2016, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Most car-buyers are clueless, but it seems to me to be the height of stupidity to buy a big heavy 4wd, without 4wd, especially for $56,000.

But as I said, clueless. Most people who buy 4wds never use it, so this will be a good deal for them.

Seems to me though, that this should be the market for their territory replacement?

Seems weird as to have such a rugged looking 4wd, with none. Imagine a beach trip, maybe 2 or 3 families with Prados and this... "Nah, I think I'll leave mine in the carpark at the end of the dirt track, we'll walk the beach bit."

Even the crew who tow vans, there are points where you unhook the van and go explore this great land, that require full 4wd...

Windsor220 · 21-06-2016, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

2016 Ford Everest Titanium price and specifications

On sale: September, 2016

Price: from $55,900 (plus on-road costs) My comment : The rear drive cannt be $20k cheaper than the 4wd ??? is this Territories replacement ?? Not a SUV from USA ????

That's a misprint. It's supposed to be Trend not Titanium. The article says it's a $5k saving over the 4wd model.