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Ford has lifted the lid on its all-new, all-electric Explorer SUV as the curtain comes down on the long-running Ford Fiesta.
The new Explorer will be built in the same factory in Germany as the Fiesta and this iconic American model has been designed with European drivers in mind.
Based on the same platform as the Volkswagen ID.4, the seventh generation of Explorer ditches large petrol engines in favour of battery power to become Ford’s second electric-only SUV alongside the Mustang Mach-E.
The Explorer is smaller than the Mach-E to take on the likes of the Kia Niro EV and Skoda Enyaq, and Ford says it will have a driving range of up to 335 miles on a full charge.
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Taking its styling inspiration from previous Explorer generations, the new pure-electric car has rugged looks and will be offered in two- and four-wheel drive versions to challenge the Audi Q4 e-tron. The most powerful Explorer will come with twin electric motors and 335bhp to give 0-62mph in less than six seconds. There will also be 168 and 282bhp versions with a single motor, and Ford says the Explorer will be able to recharge from 10% to 80% battery power in as little as 25 minutes with a rapid charger.
It may look like a tough SUV on the outside, but inside the Explorer is all about comfort. The dash is dominated by a huge 14.6-inch touchscreen that slides up or down in the centre of the dash to sit at the perfect height and angle for you.
The huge screen also hides a secret storage compartment called My Private Locker where you can stash your phone, sunglasses or keys away from nosey car parkers. There’s even more space to keep stuff between the front seats in the appropriately named MegaConsole. Flip the lid up and there’s 17-litres of room to store a laptop and charge it on the move, or you can keep drinks cool in here too.
Space isn’t the only luxury in the Explorer as all models will come with leather upholstery, heated massage front seats, heated steering wheel, and keyless entry and powered tailgate.
Expect to see the all-electric Ford Explorer in showrooms before the end of this year with prices from around £40,000. The Explorer will have to work hard to have the same mass appeal as the much-loved Fiesta, but it definitely has the looks and luxury to be a big EV success.