Ford recently introduced a new electric compact crossover named the Explorer, tailored for the European market. The vehicle was developed in collaboration with the Volkswagen Group, who supplied the MEB modular platform designed for mainstream electric vehicles. Although the new Explorer seeks to evoke the boxy lines of its American namesake, it differs significantly from the mid-size Explorer sold in the United States.
Representing the beginning of a total overhaul of the Ford brand in Europe, the all-electric Explorer is the first of numerous inventive electric vehicles from the automaker. Designed as a mid-size crossover with two rows of seating for five individuals, it comes packed with adventure-ready features like advanced driver assistance technology and a SYNC Move 2 supersized movable touchscreen complete with wireless app integration.
With five seats in use, the Explorer boasts a roomy cabin that provides around 16.6 cubic feet of storage space. Additionally, the console located between the driver and front passenger seats can hold a 15-inch laptop and offers an extra 0.6 cubic feet of storage. Ford’s all-electric Explorer breaks new ground in EV design with its futuristic exterior, premium interior that features high-quality materials, and quick charging capacity, which can take the battery from 10 to 80 percent in only 25 minutes.
According to Martin Sander, general manager of Ford Model e in Europe, the new Explorer is a trailblazer for a new breed of exciting Ford electric vehicles. The Explorer is Ford’s first electric vehicle to be built at scale in the new Ford Cologne EV Centre in Germany, and the company is committed to offering an all-electric portfolio of passenger vehicles by 2030.
The new all-electric Explorer will be available in two highly specified versions – Explorer and Explorer Premium – and can be ordered later this year with pricing anticipated to start at less than €45,000 (approximately $48,500). Reservations are now open at Ford official websites across Europe.
While the forthcoming crossovers are not slated for release in the United States, Ford is in the process of creating an electric version of the mid-size Explorer that is sold in the country. This particular model will be based on a unique EV platform and generate a comparable model for the Lincoln Aviator.
