• Choice of new 3.0L V6 Diesel with 184kW/600Nm in Everest Platinum, or proven 154kW/500Nm 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel for Everest Sport – both equipped with Ford’s advanced 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission
• Six selectable drive modes ensure Next-Gen Everest is comfortable and capable on or off-road: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud & Ruts, and Sand
• Permanent four-wheel drive system with 4A, 2H, 4H and 4L modes on Everest Platinum, Sport model equipped with part-time electronic shift-on-the-fly 4x4 with 2H, 4H and 4L
• 50mm longer wheelbase and wider track delivers enhanced stability on and off-road. Improved approach, departure and break-over angles

PRETORIA, South Africa, 27 September 2022 – The Next-Generation Ford Everest is a highly capable all-rounder, offering the premium luxury, spaciousness, comfort and refinement of an upmarket sport utility vehicle (SUV), combined with trusted and sure-footed go-anywhere ability for customers that enjoy heading off the beaten track.

“The Ford Everest has always delivered superb on-road comfort and refinement matched to fantastic off-road performance,” says Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa. “Building on this solid foundation, the Ford team went the extra mile to create a vehicle that achieves a new level of capability, whether driving in the city, towing a boat or caravan to a favourite holiday destination, or confidently tackling a challenging off-road route.

The launch of the new powerful 3.0L V6 diesel engine, which is exclusively available in the range-topping Everest Platinum, significantly elevates the performance credentials of the Next-Gen Everest. “The 3.0L V6 Diesel delivers the big-engine torque and power our customers want, but is refined and quiet on the road,” Mashinini says. Maximum power output is 184kW, combined with a substantial 600Nm of torque.

Powering the Everest Sport is the proven 2.0L Bi-Turbo diesel engine which has been the mainstay of the Everest and Ranger line-up since 2019. Renowned for its eager performance, superb refinement and fuel efficiency, in its latest guise this engine produces 154kW allied to 500Nm of torque.

Both engines are teamed up with Ford’s advanced 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. This unit incorporates real-time adaptive shift-scheduling that allows the transmission to adapt to changing driving conditions, ensuring that the optimal gear is selected for performance, fuel-efficiency or refinement in any driving scenario.

The 10-speed auto also has Progressive Range Select (PRS) that allows the driver to lock out selected gears from the automatic shifting range – which can be beneficial when towing, driving in slippery conditions or climbing a steep gradient. ‘Sport’ mode makes the gearbox more responsive for maximum performance, and there’s the option of full manual mode from the ‘S’ position, controlled via +/- buttons on the gearshift lever.

Two 4x4 systems

The Next-Gen Everest is available with two different four-wheel drive systems. The top-spec Everest Platinum, equipped with the 3.0L V6 Diesel engine, features permanent four-wheel drive that uses an electronically controlled on-demand two-speed electromechanical transfer case (EMTC).

The default driving mode for this system is 4A (Automatic) which can be used on and off-road as it constantly adjusts the flow of drive between the front and rear axles for enhanced traction in all road conditions. By simply pushing a button the driver can select 4H for four-wheel drive high-range to improve grip and control, or low-range (4L) for steep or rocky tracks and deep sand where enhanced low-speed control is required. There’s also a 2H mode which engages rear-wheel drive only.

On the Everest Sport 2.0L Bi-Turbo, a traditional part-time four-wheel drive system is fitted with a two-speed electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case offering 2H, 4H and 4L.

Terrain Management System with Selectable Drive Modes

Whether you’re scrambling up the side of a mountain or towing a trailer, Next-Gen Everest’s Terrain Management System with six selectable drive modes optimise vehicle performance to suit a range of different conditions.

With the twist of a dial, Next-Gen Everest customers can easily select the appropriate drive modes designed to improve on and off-road comfort and capability.

·       Normal – Intended for everyday use and can be used on and off-road in general driving conditions

·       Eco (new) – This mode maximises fuel economy by reducing throttle sensitivity and upshifting gears earlier. It also adds a more economical cruise control tune

·       Tow/Haul (new) – Designed to be used when towing or carrying a heavy load. It optimises gear shift timing to maintain power delivery and engine braking in hilly terrain, and also increases steering weight for improved control

·       Slippery – For use on firm but slippery surfaces, like wet grass. The engine and transmission are optimised to reduce wheel spin with a faster acting traction control setting for enhanced grip and control

·       Mud/Ruts (new) – For use only off-road in soft, muddy, rutted or waterlogged tracks, this mode is designed to help maintain vehicle momentum but still allow for some wheel slip to assist in clearing mud from the tyre tread

·       Sand – Another off-road only mode designed to be used on both sand and deep snow. It optimises power delivery, gear shifts and stability control to maintain vehicle momentum

The selectable drive modes dovetail into the raft of other technologies designed to enhance capability, such as the standard electronic rear differential lock which can be activated via the dedicated SYNC off-road screen, Hill Descent Control, or front camera view (Everest Platinum) with steering overlays which displays on the large-format infotainment screen.

“We’re particularly pleased with the front camera view on the Everest Platinum and we think owners who regularly venture off-road will love it,” Mashinini says. “Offering predictive steering overlays means you can inch your way around or between obstacles with confidence. It’s like having a built-in spotter.”

Proven durability

Tested in more than 10 countries, from the harsh Australian outback to the jungles of Thailand, the frozen snow-capped mountains of New Zealand and the searing desert sands of Dubai, Next-Gen Everest’s technologies offer capability with confidence.

“Customers can have confidence in the technology we’ve added into Next-Gen Everest, because we torture tested it almost to destruction, both in the simulated world and real-world, to ensure it was capable, strong, safe, and durable enough to meet the demands of off-road adventurers,” says John Willems, Chief Program Engineer, Ford Everest.

The punishing testing regime included an equivalent of 1.25-million kilometres of testing, an equivalent of 625 000km rugged off-road durability testing, more than 10 000km of desert driving, high-altitude testing at 5 000m, and exposure to extreme temperatures ranging from -50 degrees Celsius to +50 degrees Celsius. Additionally, the 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission has accumulated more than 6-million kilometres of testing, while the 2.0L Bi-Turbo engine has racked up 5.5-million kilometres of durability testing.

The extensive range of new technologies that are highlights of the Next-Gen Everest were developed to complement its strong and purpose-built chassis that’s 50mm longer than before, with the track increased by 50mm too. These increases have combined to improve on and off-road ride stability and enhanced capability thanks to shorter front and rear overhangs, resulting in improved approach, departure and break-over angles compared to the previous model. The maximum water wading depth remains an impressive 800mm.

The maximum braked towing capacity has been raised from 3 100kg to 3500kg with features like trailer light check and towing checklist making the Next-Gen Everest an outstanding towing platform that customers can have confidence in. For added peace of mind, the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) driver assistance technology allows drivers to program the size of their trailer for added coverage of vehicle blind spots.