Many urbanites spend the majority of their time indoors, staring at screens – a computer in the office all day, and a TV, smartphone or tablet at home in the evenings.
“A road trip is the perfect antidote to an overload of screen time and the confines of city living,” says Dale Reid, Product Marketing Manager at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. “And in 2020, we’ve been gifted with an extra day that only comes round once every four years, to do with whatever we please. As it so happens, February 29th falls on a Saturday, so it’s the ideal opportunity to get out of the house and leave the screens behind for a few hours.”
“For families who like to adventure together, a sport utility vehicle (SUV) is a great investment,” he continues. “You get the compact models, like Ford’s segment-leading EcoSport. And then you get the bigger premium models, like the Ford Everest.”
“The Everest is well-suited to those who need a large, robust family car for the busy morning and afternoon commute during the week, and would like a rugged off-roader for some adrenaline-fuelled family fun on the weekends,” he adds. “The elevated ride height and commanding road presence means you always feel comfortable and in control, on tar or gravel.”
“Not everyone is aware that the Everest and Ranger are both proudly built right here in South Africa,” continues Reid. “The vehicles themselves are assembled at Ford’s Silverton plant in Pretoria, and are fitted with advanced diesel engines which are assembled at our award-winning Struandale engine plant in Port Elizabeth.”
“This is the second generation of the Everest,” he adds. “The current line-up comprises six derivatives, available with two engine choices, three specification levels, manual or automatic transmissions, and the option of two-wheel or four-wheel drive. So whether you prioritise luxury or extreme off-road capability, there really is an Everest to suit everyone.”
The New Everest has benefited from extensive suspension refinements, achieving improved steering precision and control, and a plusher ride over rough surfaces, or imperfections like potholes.
As a seven-seater, which can fit up to five child seats, the load space of the Everest is rated at 1,050 litres of cargo, with the cabin expanding to accommodate a total of 2,010 litres when the seats are folded flat. In the Limited model, with its third row PowerFold feature, this can be done simply at the push of a button.
Ford’s extensive range of smart and safe driving technologies provide welcome peace of mind, so you can focus on enjoying the views outside.
Fitted as standard on all New Everest models are: Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control, Trailer Sway Control, Load Adaptive Control, Roll Over Mitigation, and Hill Start Assist, with Hill Descent Control on the 4×4 models.
Additional standard features on the Limited model include Semi-Automatic Parallel Park Assist, Active Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Heads Up Display, Forward Collision Alert (which now detects pedestrians, as well as other vehicles), Collision Mitigation, Distance Alert, Lane Keeping Aid and Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, and Auto High Beam Control.
All models come with dual front, side, and full-length curtain airbags. A driver’s knee airbag is also standard across the range.
Ford’s latest-generation SYNC®3 with Navigation, fitted as standard on all XLT and Limited models, is an integrated communications and entertainment system which keeps you connected while you’re on the move.
Supported by a stylish integrated 8-inch colour touchscreen which can be operated with pinch and swipe gestures, SYNC®3 is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enabled, allowing you to tune into your favourite radio station, or play your favourite music or podcast.
Bluetooth and voice control allow you to use voice commands to make hands-free calls, listen to text messages through the speakers (the system even understands emoticons and popular abbreviations), send quick replies by selecting from a list of pre-set text responses, listen to voicemail, and adjust your climate control settings.
Two USB ports are also conveniently placed so you can charge your smartphone or insert a memory stick or iPod to voice command music playback by artist name, song title, or genre.
Rear parking sensors are paired with a full-colour rear view parking camera. The XLT and Limited models also features front parking sensors as well.
The XLS model, which is fitted with USB and Aux ports, uses Ford’s first-generation SYNC® system supported by a 4.2-inch colour screen, allowing audio streaming, and Bluetooth and voice control. You can order SYNC®3 with Navigation on the XLS as an option.
One of the main defining features of the New Everest line-up is the all-new, range-topping 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo engine, and the all-new 2.0-litre Single Turbo engine.
The Bi-Turbo engine employs an innovative twin turbocharger set-up to improve both low-end torque and high-end power, while reducing fuel consumption and emissions. A maximum power output of 157kW is matched to a peak torque of 500Nm. The Single Turbo engine delivers 132kW and 420Nm.
The existing 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi engine, which delivers 118kW and 385Nm, and 3.2-litre five-cylinder TDCi engine, delivering 147kW and 470Nm, complete the range.
The new-generation 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo and 2.0 Single Turbo engines are exclusively available with Ford’s sophisticated, all-new 10-speed automatic transmission. The 10-speed architecture reduces the gaps in available power and acceleration between gears, providing smoother acceleration response, and enabling improved performance at lower engine speeds.
Both the 2.2 and 3.2 Duratorq TDCi engines are matched to the existing six-speed automatic transmission.
Ford engineering data, based on real-world driving cycles, indicates an improvement in fuel-efficiency of up to nine per cent in the Bi-Turbo engine mated to the 10-speed automatic transmission, compared to the previous range-topping model.
The Bi-Turbo engine is rated to tow a maximum of 3,100 kg with a braked trailer, while the Single Turbo and both the 2.2 and 3.2 Duratorq TDCi engines have a maximum towing capacity of 3,000 kg.
The Terrain Management System, available in the 4×4 derivatives, boasts four driving modes: Normal, Mud, Sand, and Rock Crawl. With an approach angle of 29 degrees, a departure angle of 25 degrees, and the ability to drive through water up to 800 mm deep, you can navigate even the most challenging lay of the land with confidence.
Ford Protect, which comes standard on all New Everest models, offers a holistic suite of warranty, service, and roadside assistance products aimed at maintaining the perfect working condition of your vehicle.
This includes a four-year/120,000 km comprehensive warranty; a five-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty; a six-year/90,000 km service plan with 12 months/15,000 km service intervals; and a three-year/unlimited km roadside assistance for flat tyres or batteries, mechanical, electrical, or medical emergencies, and towing to the nearest Ford dealership, if needed.
For more information on the full range of New Everest models, please visit: www.ford.co.za/suvs/everest-019
Provided by Ford South Africa
