New Ford Explorer shares VW MEB Platform
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Just as we’ve seen with the famous Mustang nameplate, the Explorer becomes the latest Ford to get an electric reimagining.
The new Explorer is a fully electric mid-size SUV that sits upon Volkswagen’s MEB platform which is also used on the ID.4. The two manufacturers already have a history of sharing their commercial vehicle expertise.
With sales only targeting Europe for the time being, Ford is attempting to reinvent its image across the continent which, until this point, has been focused on affordable hatchbacks, the occasional crossover and the legendary Transit van.
The new Explorer SUV arrives with a chunky and aggressive exterior that’s been designed with outdoor exploration in mind. Angular front LED lights are connected by a narrow black panel and silver scuff plates are paired with plenty of body cladding.
Black A, B and C pillars give the roof a ‘floating’ appearance and there’s a 450-litre boot sitting within the Explorer’s squared-off rear. The LED lights at the back are also connected by a black panel that sweeps across the boot door.
On the inside, an adjustable 15-inch portrait screen, that slides up and down, runs Ford’s SYNCMove software. Beneath the sliding screen is a ‘My Private Locker’ storage space that’s perfect for items such as phones or wallets.
Underneath the centre console, there’s more cleverly packaged storage space and between the two front seats, there’s a cubby that can contain a 15-inch laptop.
The entry-level 168bhp rear-wheel-drive Explorer with the 55kWh battery will have a modest range around the 218-mile mark. A more powerful 282bhp single-motor version with an 82kWh battery is expected to manage a much larger 335 miles on a single charge.
The range-topping Explorer has a dual-motor set-up that can produce 335bhp – more than Volkswagen’s ID.4 GTX. This, however, drops the range to 305 miles.
Exact specifications and pricing will be announced closer to the launch date which is expected to be towards the end of this year in the region of £40,000.