Mustang power for Ford’s new Everest

FORD will offer its next-generation Everest large SUV with a wider choice of engines than before, including carryover single- and bi-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel units, a gutsy new 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, and a Mustang-sourced 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo-petrol motor.

Speaking during the online global unveiling of the 2022 Everest, Ford’s chief platform engineer Ian Foston said that based on customer feedback, the new model’s powertrain line-up needed to be broader, and its towing performance superior, compared with the outgoing model.

“For the first time, Ford is offering the Everest with a three-litre turbo-diesel V6. We understand our customers have different needs and different ways of using their vehicles… our customers said they wanted more power for effortless performance, particularly when towing a full-sized trailer,” Mr Foston explained. 

“Matched with suspension upgrades, we’ve been able to improve the maximum braked towing capacity of the V6 derivative to 3.5 tonnes – a fantastic upgrade. 

“As we have today, the single-turbo and bi-turbo diesels are also available, and for those markets that need a gasoline (petrol-powered) variant, there’s also the 2.3-litre EcoBoost. Depending on model, a range of transmissions will also be available, and that includes the six-speed automatic transmission as well as Ford’s efficient 10-speed SelectShift automatic,” he added.

Perhaps recognising limitations of the current bi-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit, Mr Foston said the 3.0-litre was better suited to heavy-duty towing duties while it continued to offer the levels of performance and refinement that customers prefer.

“There seems to be a real want from customers, especially in Australia, New Zealand and some of the other Southern Hemisphere markets, for larger towing capability and the larger capability of a V6, so we expect it to be very popular for sure,” he said.

“The (turbo-diesel) V6 is a very refined engine, it’s got bags of torque… it’s got plenty of capability for towing with ease without really being under a huge amount of strain… it offers a really good balance of performance and refinement… and when it comes to off-roading, that’s the other area that I think the 3.0-litre will really come into its own.

“The 2.3 EcoBoost is used in many applications – in fact, it’s Ford’s largest volume powertrain deployed globally. The one we’re taking is a version of the same family (as the Mustang), which is suitable for rear-wheel-drive variants, and it’s fitted in vehicles such as the Bronco and Explorer. It is a unique variant to suit rear-wheel-drive installation in off-road vehicles,” he explained.

In the United States, the 2.3-litre petrol engine powers the Bronco and Explorer, in which it develops 200kW/420Nm and is paired to Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission (10R60).

The headline V6 turbo-diesel – sourced from the North American F-150 – is expected to make 190kW/600Nm, while the carryover 2.0-litre single- and bi-turbo diesels will likely develop 136kW/405Nm and 157kW/500Nm respectively.

Ford Australia will offer the 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder and 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel engines on the local market. Four trim grades will be available on the new seven-seat Everest: Ambiente, Trend, Sport and Platinum, but the company will only announce full pricing and specification closer to the model’s local launch.

The current Everest range is priced from $50,090 (plus on-road costs) for the entry-grade Ambiente through to $73,190 (plus on-road costs) for the flagship Titanium variant.

GoAuto understands that engine, transmission and four-wheel-drive systems in the new Everest will be grade-dependant. Ford Australia said it will clarify this point closer to the model’s launch.

The range will also feature model-specific off-road systems. Depending on grade, Ford will offer a basic 2H, 4H and 4L shift-on-the-fly system, or a revised version of its more advanced Terrain Management System.

“For Everest we’ll offer two type of four-wheel-drive system. We’ve got the electronic shift-on-the-fly, which has been introduced in the Everest for the first time and is what’s in today’s Ranger, and that effectively is a part-time four-wheel-drive system,” Mr Foston said. 

“So, it’s two-wheel drive for the majority of the time and then, when you go off-road, you can select four high (4H) or four low (4L). That (transfer case) is offered in some of our lower-cost-of-ownership variants in which people wanted a value-oriented four-wheel-drive system. 

“The upgrade is our electronic transfer case, which is the next generation of what we have today. It now offers so many features that we won’t have time to cover today, but we’ll certainly go into it in more detail during the launch,” he added.

Mr Foston did say the revised Terrain Management System would include new modes and offer the ability to operate as a rear-wheel drive for those times when the assistance of the front wheels was not required.

“It offers several modes, one of which is a two-wheel-drive version that completely disconnects the front wheels and allows you to run in a rear-wheel-drive format,” Mr Foston explained.

“It (also) offers what we call Four Auto, which is a permanent four-wheel drive, and that allows the vehicle to automatically choose to which of its wheels it will direct torque. It also has high- and low-range four-wheel drive. 

“Once you’re in high- or low-range four-wheel drive, you can select from the various drive modes that dictate much torque will get sent to the front or rear axles. It’s a very sophisticated system, and it’s certainly a step above what we have today (in the outgoing Everest),” he concluded.

Ford Australia is expected to reveal full specifications and pricing of its next-gen Everest closer to the model’s local launch. The new Everest is expected to go on sale Down Under towards the middle of this year.