Ford Everest Super Duty “possible”

Ford has left the door ajar for a Ford Everest Super Duty.

Speaking to media at the public unveiling of the Ranger Super Duty last Friday during a celebration of Ford Australia’s 100th anniversary, a series of blue oval executives declined the opportunity to rule out an Everest SUV equivalent of the tough new Ranger.

“If there became a market need for an Everest Super Duty and we could make a business case then anything is possible,” said Max Wolff, the Australian in charge of Ford’s regional design operations.

“I would say for the moment the need is for the Super Duty Ranger and that is what we have delivered and we have delivered that in spades.”

Using the Super Duty name previously reserved for US-built F-Series trucks, the new Aussie-developed Ranger has a re-engineered chassis, beefed-up mechanicals and redesigned higher-riding suspension.

As a result, it can tow 4500kg, has a 4500kg gross vehicle mass and 8000kg gross combined mass, and is intended to be more capable further off-road than its siblings.

Making the connection to Everest is a logical one because they share the same fundamental T6 platform and are designed and developed together by Ford’s Australian product team.

Considering the popularity of the Everest as a tow vehicle in Australia, an uprated version would certainly appeal to Australia’s many grey nomads.

Todd Willing, the Australian who runs Fords design globally, added: “It was recognised need that drove this [Ranger Super Duty].

“If that existed for another body style or derivative then that would be [possible].

“We don’t build stuff for folks that aren’t asking for it.”

As interesting as what the two Aussies at the head of Ford global design said about the potential for an Everest Super Duty was their body language and facial expressions when asked about it.

That seemed to suggest there might be more to this than what is being let-on. Could there be a design study lurking within Ford’s Melbourne studio complex?

Separately at the same event, Ford Motor Company executive chairman Bill Ford was asked about the likelihood of the Ranger Super Duty heading to the USA.

“We don’t have any plans. The ’States is a bit of a different market, but the base Ranger is doing very well in the United States … we’ll see.

“I’m not here to break any news but we’ll see.”

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