Ford has given us our first glimpse of its all-new battery-electric mid-size SUV that will be based on Volkswagen’s MEB architecture.
To be unveiled on March 21, the still-secret new model has been previewed by Ford of Europe’s design boss Amko Leenarts raising a cover off the front corner to show its large alloy wheel and plastic-clad wheel-arch.
Ford has confirmed the EV is being developed under the ‘Medium-size Crossover’ moniker and will be built at the company’s factory in Cologne, Germany.
Earlier spy shots have confirmed that the new model will have radically different styling to the Volkswagen ID.4, including unashamedly American-influenced design cues.
Later on, a sportier coupe-style SUV will rock up, with Ford mimicking what VW has already done with the Volkswagen ID.5.
There’s no word on what will power the Ford SUV but it’s highly likely it will lift its powertrain from the ID.4, so expect both a single-motor rear-drive version and dual-motor all-wheel drive model with up to 220kW.
As far as batteries go, the top-shelf model should offer an 82kWh lithium-ion battery pack providing a range of up to 500km.
The EV is set to be positioned below the Ford Mustang Mach-E but above the upcoming Ford Puma EV that will indirectly replace the Fiesta light hatch in Europe.
With our brand-new EV being revealed next month, it’s now time we start getting excited.
— Martin Sander (@MSander22) February 23, 2023
Here’s @amko_leenarts showing us that you can expect rebellious, uncompromising, SUV heritage reimagined for the #EV era.
Join us on March 21st! #ExploringReinvented #ElectricVehicle pic.twitter.com/LulZXIFJSG
It’s expected to go on sale in Europe before the end of this year, rivalling not only the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 but also the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6.
Since it will be sold in the UK, the new Ford SUV will be offered in right-hand drive, opening the door for Australian sales.
Later this year, Volkswagen Australia will finally introduce both the ID.4 and ID.5 that will be followed by the ID.3 hatch in 2024.
Pricing for the ID.4 is expected to kick off at around $65,000 plus on-road costs.