Ford adds Everest off-road option

Ford has announced a new version of the Everest 4x4 aimed at luxury buyers who want more off-road capability.

The new model is a top-specification Titanium that swaps out its standard 20-inch wheel and tyre combination for the 18s from the mid-spec Trend as a no-cost option.

The new version of the Titanium takes the Trend’s suspension, stability control and terrain management system tune as well.

As the pack is a no-cost option, pricing remains the same for the new version of the Titanium, which retails at $74,701 plus on-road costs.

The pack has no impact on braked towing capacity, which remains at 3000kg or the 800mm wading depth. Fuel tank size remains at 80 litres.

“The 18-inch wheel package is a result of customer feedback,” Ford spokesman Damion Smy told motoring.com.au.

“We have a great Everest community that’s passionate and dedicated, and there are many owners who want to take their Everest off-road – something we welcome, and that Everest has been awarded for.

“While the top-spec Titanium’s 20-inch alloy wheels are tuned to the suspension, ESP and TMS as a holistic set-up, the addition of an 18-inch wheel on the Titanium gives Everest owners more flexibility.

“It enables them more confidence in the harsh, challenging conditions that Everest is capable of traversing, while allowing them the higher-spec of the Titanium, such as the heated seats, that panoramic sunroof and of course the leather seating.”

The package offers 18 x 8.0-inch wheels and Bridgestone Dueller H/T 265/60R18 rubber, including a spare. The standard Everest set-up combines 20x8.5-inch wheels with lower-profile 265/50 rubber.

The extra sidewall depth of the 18-inch tyre should provide superior puncture protection in severe off-road conditions and more ride compliance.

Developed in Australia on the same T6 ladder frame as the Ranger one-tonne utility, but employing coils and a Watt’s link rather than leaf springs, the Everest is offered in three model levels, all of them powered by the same 143kW/470Nm 3.2-litre Duratorq five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The entry-level Ambiente and mid-spec Trend are both offered with rear and four-wheel drive, while the Titanium is 4x4 only. All 4x4 Everests come with low range gearing and an electronic locking rear differential.

The Ambiente has five seats standard, while the other two offer seven seats.

Despite solid reviews, Everest hasn’t captured the imagination of 4x4 followers. Its sales are up in 2017, but it still ranks only 12th in the Large SUV category, with 3023 leaving dealerships to the end of August.

The category sales leader is the Toyota Prado, which Ford insists the Ranger is a direct rival for, rather than the likes of the Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, which are also based on one-tonne utes.

Standard equipment exclusive to the Everest Titanium includes blind spot monitoring, active park assist, tyre pressure monitoring, leather seats (except row three) and leather-wrapped gearshift, ambient lighting, illuminated front scuff plates, a powered panoramic sunroof, eight-way powered and heated front-seat adjustment, power folding third row, chromed running boards, HID headlights and LED daytime running lamps.

Significant equipment shared with lesser models includes seven airbags (including side bags that extend to row three), adaptive cruise control with forward collision alert, lane keeping, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, active noise cancellation, dual zone climate control, Ford’s SYNC3 connectivity system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite-navigation and a powered tailgate.