Ford Explorer: Electric American with German genes

Three years ago, Ford flipped the switch in Europe. The Focus, Fiesta and Mondeo volume model series, as well as the C-Max, S-Max and Galaxy vans, were dropped without replacement. Instead, the product range was to be tailored to specific target groups and applications. "We will lose some of our customers, but we will also gain many who will love us," announced the then new Managing Director for Ford Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Christian Weingärtner. At least the first part of his forecast has been confirmed for Germany.

According to the KBA, Ford's registration figures and market share in the passenger car market have fallen continuously since 2021 and are currently hovering at 3.6 percent with just under 77,000, far behind Skoda (7.3 %), Seat (5.5 %) and Opel (5.3 %). Whether and when the second part will be fulfilled remains to be seen. Probably as a first indication of this, Ford is now celebrating its popularity on social media instead of sales figures, where it is "the number one car brand on YouTube and Tiktok" and its "reach has tripled". Managing Director Christian Weingärtner still sees himself "on the right track", wants to differentiate more strongly in the European competition of "interchangeable models" and "dare to be more Ford".

In addition to "hero cars" such as the Mustang, now with an even more powerful V8 engine (446 hp) and Dark Horse special model with 453 hp, the Ranger pick-up or the massive Bronco SUV, this is now to be achieved with the new Explorer and Capri electric models. Both are manufactured at the Cologne plant, which was converted into the "Cologne EV Center" (CEC) at a cost of around two billion US dollars (approx. 1.85 billion euros). With bold ambitions in view of the current slowdown in the e-car market. Ford wants to sell more than 600,000 e-vehicles per year in Europe by 2026. This should then also include an electric Puma as the brand's smallest model.

The Explorer, which in contrast to the US SUV icon has a very European format of 4.47 meters in length, 1.87 meters in width and 1.63 meters in height, has been making its debut at the CEC since last month. After some delay, the market launch of the electric SUV will finally begin this year. Although initially only in the more powerful versions as a rear-wheel drive model with 210 kW (286 hp) and as an all-wheel drive version with two motors and 250 kW (340 hp). In both cases, an "extended range" battery with 77 kWh or 79 kWh (all-wheel drive) serves as the power storage unit, which should enable standard ranges of more than 600 kilometers in the best case. With fast charging capacities of up to 185 kW (all-wheel drive), the battery should be 80 percent full again in 26-28 minutes.

If this sounds familiar, the Explorer, like its all-electric crossover counterpart the Capri, is technically based on Volkswagen's MEB platform, which is also used by the ID 4, Audi Q4 and Skoda Enyaq. But there is no sign of this in the compact electric American. With its smooth and harmonious curves, the design, which was also created in Cologne, looks very unique and coherent. The front section without a radiator grille catches the eye, but with prominently placed brands and model lettering, flush-integrated LED headlights in a hook shape and the bulging underbite apron. On the flanks, the eye is drawn to the large cut-out wheel arches, in which 19-21 inch wheels turn, and the wide C-pillar with the perspective bar tattoo. The gently sloping roofline ends in a spoiler, while the discreetly stepped rear end with the narrow rear window and visually connected rear lights appears compact and closed. There's no question that the body stands out from the aerodynamically standardized electric mishmash and has nothing in common with the ID electric cars.

The interior, on the other hand, presents a familiar picture. From the small 5.3-inch cockpit screen, which displays the most important driving data, the battery level and the active driver assistance systems, to the control levers on the steering wheel, the function buttons for the power windows and headlights and the shape of the car key, everything has been adopted one-to-one from VW. The rather angular steering wheel also appears original at first, until you notice the slider control buttons for the volume. Only the infotainment touchscreen is significantly larger at 14.6 inches and is positioned upright on the center console. On its display, Ford's SYNC Move connectivity system can be operated easily and intuitively via large sliders on the home screen, just like on a smartphone. Above this is a modern soundbar.

Clever detail: the screen can be tilted continuously by more than 30 degrees and pushed up by hand. In the lowest position, it then serves as a kind of lockable cover for the "Private Locker", as it can no longer be pushed upwards when the car is switched off. The storage space integrated into the dashboard not only protects personal items from prying eyes, there are also two USB-C ports for charging mobile devices. There are two further interfaces in the rear seat area and an inductive charging station below the screen for two large-screen smartphones.

Further storage options can also be found underneath the armrest in the center console in the rather tech-cool interior. Thanks to the lack of a transmission tunnel, a 17-liter storage space has been created there, which easily swallows a laptop or three 1.5-liter bottles side by side. The trunk can hold 450 liters in its normal state and up to 1422 liters with the second row of seats folded down. There is space for the charging cable under a double floor.

With a wheelbase of 2.77 meters, the five-seater offers comfortable space in the front and rear. The interior is given a sporty touch by the precisely fitting front seats with integrated headrests. They are electrically adjustable in 12 positions on the driver's side, can be heated and are equipped with a massage function for the lumbar region even in the entry-level version. In the premium version we drove (from 53,200 euros), there is also ambient lighting that can be adjusted individually or according to the selected driving mode.

There are five of these: Normal, Sport, Eco, Individual and, in the case of our premium all-wheel drive model, Traction. Good to know, but rather negligible in everyday driving. We drive "normal" and enjoy the smooth and seamless acceleration with which the two electric motors on the front and rear axles with 250 kW system power and a total of more than 670 Nm torque catapult the vehicle, which weighs a good 2.2 tons, to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. This would put it on a par with the corresponding GTX models from VW. However, while the performance of an electric drive is based on the "know one, know all" principle, the differences in driving behavior are more pronounced.

This is because Ford remains true to its well-known virtues even with the electric models and has tuned the electric SUV to be a tad more agile than the Wolfsburg-based company. As agile as the Explorer, which is twelve centimetres shorter than the ID 4, appears, the chassis is also somewhat firmer, with a good connection to the road surface, hardly any rolling noise and only minimal body roll even when cornering at high speeds. Only the steering could do with more direct feedback, especially in Sport mode. But in the city, such niggles are quickly forgotten when the car nimbly changes lanes and, with its small turning circle, also masters tight maneuvers.

Ford is also confidently on a par with its technology partner from Lower Saxony when it comes to prices. Prices currently start at 48,510 euros for the Explorer with rear-wheel drive and 77 kWh battery, while the all-wheel drive version with 79 kWh battery costs 53,500 euros. A later base model with 125 kW (170 PS) and 52 kWh standard battery will also be available from €42,500. In addition to an already lavishly equipped entry-level version, including a massage function for the driver's seat, 2-zone automatic air conditioning, navigation, 19-inch aluminum wheels, there is only a luxurious premium version with B&O sound system, ambient lighting, LED matrix headlights, electric tailgate and a safety package with 15 assistance systems. The list of options is also short, including a heat pump for 1050 euros and a swivel trailer hitch for 900 euros. (aum)

Data Ford Explorer AWD

Length x width x height (m): 4.47 x 1.87 x 1.63
Wheelbase (m): 2.77
Drive: Electric, 250 kW (340 hp), all-wheel drive, automatic transmission
Max. Torque: 545 Nm (rear engine) & 134 Nm (front)
Top speed: 180 km/h
Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: 5.3 sec.
WLTP average consumption: 16.6 kWh
Range (WLTP): 532 km
Charging power: 11 kW AC/ 88 kW DC
Unladen weight / payload: 2179 kg / 561 kg
Trunk capacity: 445-1422 liters
Towing capacity: 1200 kg
Base price: 53,500 euros
Test car price: 58,506 euros