By Manny N. de los Reyes
YOU’VE GOT to have been living in a cave if you haven’t yet heard of the Raptor, Ford’s twin-turbo (Bi-Turbo, in Ford-speak) super-truck. It’s widely regarded, here and abroad, as the alpha of midsize pickups, thanks to its class-leading 213ps of power and 500Nm of torque from, ironically enough, its smallest-in-class 2.0-liter engine. That over-achieving motor is mated to another class-leading Raptor feature — that amazing 10-speed automatic transmission.
And now, that very same drivetrain has been slipped under the muscular hood of the Ranger’s SUV sibling, the Everest. Ford Philippines launched last week the new and refreshed version of the Everest, equipping its popular midsize SUV not just with Raptor power, but with a full suite of cutting-edge driver-assist technologies you’d otherwise only see in European luxury cars.
“The Ford Everest was launched in the Philippine market in 2003, at a time when the demand for SUVs was still on the rise. The Everest redefined the SUV segment with its bold design, advanced technology, and stunning off-road and on-road capabilities,” said PK “Uma” Umashankar, managing director, Ford Philippines.
“Given its track record in the Philippines, we are confident that the new Ford Everest will give Filipino customers a ride no less than extraordinary, building on its position as one of the smartest and safest SUVs in its class,” added Umashankar.
The new Everest actually comes with two available engines: the aforementioned 2.0-liter Bi-Turbo diesel from the Ranger Raptor and the 2.0-liter Turbo (single-turbo) diesel engine from the Ranger Wildtrak. With the advanced 10-speed automatic transmission that offers improved fuel efficiency and better acceleration, the Bi-Turbo delivers 213ps and 500Nm of torque, while the Turbo delivers a still very powerful 180ps and 420Nm. Both motors, as mated to the state-of-the-art 10-speed automatic, raise the bar in smoothness, quietness, and refinement.
The new Everest’s new powertrain also entails lower service maintenance costs with a once-a-year scheduled service interval instead of twice a year.
Enough with the (low-maintenance) brawn. What about the brains?
The new Everest continues to pioneer the midsize SUV segment as a highly advanced technology-led SUV, with segment-leading driver-assist technologies (DATs) that make it ideal for city driving while endowing it with formidable off-road capability.
For starters, smart keyless entry and push-button start are now standard across the new Everest range. The new Everest also provides more convenience with the hands-free liftgate, a feature that automatically opens and closes the liftgate. If the driver’s hands are full, a simple kicking motion of the foot under the rear bumper will open and close the liftgate.
Parking is also easier with the Active Park Assist feature that helps drivers find parallel parking spaces and steers the vehicle to a parking slot, with the driver’s hands off the steering wheel. The driver just needs to control the gear lever, accelerator, and brake.
With the new Everest’s 4WD Terrain Management System, maximum traction and stability enables drivers to stay in control whether driving on sand, mud, grass, or rock, ensuring full capability both on and off-road.
The new Everest also features Ford’s Pre-Collision Assist which uses Inter-Urban Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Vehicle Detection, a first-in-class feature that detects pedestrians and vehicles and alerts you with an audible and visual warning to bring the Everest to a complete stop to help mitigate rear-end collisions and road-traffic collisions with pedestrians.
SYNC 3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility now powers the new Everest, an 8.0-inch full color touchscreen and reversing camera. On top of standard built-in navigation, SYNC 3 is compatible with the use of Waze and Google Maps, proving useful when venturing beyond mobile coverage areas.
The new Everest also retains segment-leading advanced driver assistance technologies that help provide a more convenient and safer driving experience, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping System, Forward Collision Warning System, Driver Alert System, Auto High Beam Control, BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), Cross Traffic Alert, rear view camera, and parking sensors.
The new Everest’s enhanced off-road capabilities are matched by its manners on-road, delivering a significantly smoother, quieter passenger experience. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is a unique and advanced feature that helps deliver cabin quietness. Engine and transmission noise is remarkably quieter thanks to an engineering focus on reduced noise, as well as advanced sound insulation to ensure the Everest’s cabin is as hushed as can be.
With the panoramic moonroof, natural light will be able to illuminate the vehicle cabin during the day or night with the roof space fully adjustable at the touch of a button.
You can identify the new Everest with its new grille treatment, incorporating a secondary grille texture against Everest’s chrome HID headlights. With a redesigned bumper, the new Everest is also fitted with a new 20-inch split-spoke alloy wheel design with darker wheel accents that add to its rugged appearance.
Inside the new Everest’s spacious cabin features a new ebony interior theme, which invokes a more premium and more luxurious feel.
The new Everest will initially be available in two variants and in six colors: the new Diffused Silver, as well as Absolute Black, Aluminum Metallic, Arctic White, Meteor Gray, and Sunset Red.
The Everest 2.0L Bi-Turbo Titanium+ 4×4 AT retails for P2,299,000 while the Everest 2.0L Turbo Titanium 4×2 AT goes for P1,995,000. The new Everest is now available in Ford dealerships in Metro Manila and within the month in Ford dealerships in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
