PRETORIA, South Africa – Ford SA has increased its Everest seven-seat sport ute range with a new XLT 4×4 derivative powered by a two-litre turbo spinning a 10-speed auto transmission.
They also introduce self-leveling diode headlights on XLT units and the Everest Limited.
Ford SA’s marketing boss, Doreen Mashinini, told The Corner: “The Everest is still one of the best-equipped, most capable, and versatile vehicles in its segment – especially the Everest that was launched in 2019.
“The two-litre turbo engines bring more refinement, performance, and fuel economy so we’re delighted to have expanded the range to seven with the XLT two-litre turbo 4×4 which slots between the existing XLT 4×2 with the same turbo engine and the 157kW two-litre bi-turbo for a combination of all-terrain ability, fuel frugality, and value for money.
“We’ve also enhanced each Everest’s external lights with diode head- and running lights – the former with self-leveling.”
The new model has with the same two-litre turbodiesel that powered the Ford Ranger to a Double Cab class victory in the 2019 WesBank Fuel Economy Tour. It produces 132kW/420Nm, the latter from 1750-2500rpm with up to 340Nm available from only 1 250rpm.
PERMANENT AWD
The 10-speed auto transmissions have electronic control that includes a skip-shift feature – up and down – which lets the ‘box adapt to changing conditions. Or the driver can lock-out some cogs
4×4 units are permanently all-wheel drive though with the option of invoking a terrain choice system through a rotary switch on the fascia: Normal, rock crawl, or mud and sand.
READ MORE Ford features on Carman’s Corner
XLT units have keyless locks, push-button ignition, parking radar each end to bolster a rear camera – just some of the ”driving aids” available. How about also enjoying… electronic stability and traction control, trailer sway and descent control and a Thatcham-spec anti-theft installation.
Sync3 with satnav are standard on the XLT and Limited models, linked to a colour 20cm touch-screen bolstered by two USB ports and Bluetooth. Also included are multi-touch gestures (swipe, slide, scroll, pinch-to-zoom), plus voice recognition for simple voice commands
A smartphone can be hooked to Apple CarPlay / Android Auto.
…AND SO TO THE PRICES
Ford Everest 2.2 TDCi XLS 6 a/t 4×2 – R552 500
Ford Everest2.0 SiT XLT 10 a/t 4×2 – R637 800
Ford Everest2.0 SiT XLT 10 a/t 4×4 – R679 400
Ford Everest2.0 BiT XLT 10 a/t4x2 – R693 300
Ford Everest3.2 TDCi XLT 6 a/t 4×4 – R715 300
Ford Everest2.0 BiT XLT 10 a/t 4×4 – R744 500
Ford Everest2.0 BiT Limited 10 a/t 4×4 – R819 400
Each will be delivered with Ford Protect. That means a four-year or 120 000km* warranty, three years of unlimited-distance roadside assistance, and five-year unlimited km corrosion warranty.
A six-year or 90 000km* service plan is included. Service intervals 15 000km.
*Whichever comes first.
