- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He Ar
Ford Explorer EV. Electric SUV on Volkswagen’s platform
The Ford Explorer, the former mid-size SUV, has turned into a full-size SUV, which is currently available in Israel. But in the very near future, the tireless ‘Explorer’ will become compact and electric! The new Ford Explorer EV is developed by the German division of Ford for Europe. Surprisingly, the electric SUV is based on the Volkswagen MEB platform, which makes the Volkswagen ID.4 its closest ‘relative’.
In Israel, the 6th generation Ford Explorer 2019 is currently offered with 2.3 or 3.0-liter gasoline engines, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, at a price of 334,687 shekels. The cost of the entry-level version of the electric Volkswagen ID.4 in the Israeli market is about 215,000 shekels (as of March 2023).
The electric Explorer is expected to go on sale in early 2024, while the orders will be accepted in September 2023. The price starts from 45,000 euros (about 180,000 shekels). The Ford Explorer EV is only the first shot. In the future another electric car will be released on the MEB platform, which was agreed by the American and German manufacturers.
Exterior
The similarity between the Ford Explorer EV and the ID.4 will be noticeable only in small details, and we are not talking about the appearance. The body of the SUV with the ‘blue oval’ is completely different, even the dimensions are different: the new electric Explorer is smaller than the Volkswagen. The length of the future electric vehicle is 4.45 m (13 cm shorter than ID), the width is 1.87 m (2 cm wider). In terms of height, the Ford is 1.6 m high (3 cm lower). The wheelbase is the same: 2,770 mm. The rear overhang is shorter, which has made a trunk smaller: 450 liters (543 liters for the ID.4). The SUV comes with the wheels with the diameter ranging from 19 to 21 inches.
Interior and equipment
The interior of the electric Explorer is also designed specifically for it, but there are also common details with the ID models: there are only two power window buttons that are located on the driver’s door and control the front windows, and in order to open and close the rear windows, you need to press the third button. The gearbox is controlled using the right steering column lever, and not a personal handle. The dashboard has a 5-inch display. But the display of the Sync media system attracts more attention: firstly, it is large, with a diagonal of 14.6 inches, and secondly, its tilt angle can be adjusted in the range of 30 degrees, from vertical to inclined position. Between the front seats there is a drawer for as much as 17 liters.
The vehicle comes with modern equipment: heated steering wheel and front seats, massage seat for the driver, dual-zone climate control and a popular panoramic roof. There will also be adaptive cruise control, which is based on twelve ultrasonic radars and five cameras. There will be two trim levels: entry-level and premium.
Powertrains
The 2023/2024 Ford Explorer EV will initially be offered in three trim levels:
- The entry-level version comes with one electric motor with a capacity of 170 hp, rear-wheel drive and a battery with a capacity of 52 kWh, an approximate mileage of 350 km. The same version of ID.4 has failed in the market.
- The advanced version comes with one electric motor with 286 hp and a 77 kWh battery providing a driving range of 540 km.
- The top-end version features two electric motors with a total power of 340 hp, all-wheel drive, a battery with a capacity of 77 kWh, a driving range of up to 490 km. 170 kW DC charging power is promised.
