Ford readying Ranger-based Everest SUV?

Fri, 21 Feb 2014

Way back in August, we showed you a Ford concept for the Australian market called the Everest. Now, we can show you that work on the new Ranger-based SUV is well under way.

At this stage, it's still quite clearly a mule (note the misalignment of the front and rear doors), wearing the Ranger's front end and the rump of Ford's overseas Territory crossover. The wheelbase is shorter than a Ranger, according to our spy photographers, which strikes us as somewhat odd for a more passenger-oriented vehicle. Disc brakes should be fitted at all four corners, while the new SUV, which will almost certainly wear the Everest name, should sport a new rear suspension.

In terms of looks, we're expecting the Everest Concept to inform the appearance of the production model. Naturally, there will also be some interior tweaks, particularly around the dashboard, which is covered in these photos.

Interestingly, our spy shooter maintains that the Everest is being developed by Ford of Australia, despite the fact that Ford is ending its local manufacturing there. Still, Ford intends to continue vehicle sales there as an importer, and we have reason to believe that design offices will remain in Oz, so it's not a huge stretch to think that some vehicle development operations will remain there, too.

We should to see the production Everest near the end of this year, with sales to commence in 2015.

By Brandon Turkus