Record-breaking electric car
Ford Explorer: Austrian launch after world tour
Ford gives up a bastion of the combustion engine and launches sales of the new Explorer. The manufacturer wanted to prove that the electric SUV also works over long distances with a record drive around the world: The Explorer is the first electric car to make it around the world once.
Okay, it took over half a year to complete the 30,000 kilometers that had to be covered, through 27 countries and six continents, but there were also things to experience for record-breaking driver Lexie Alford that went beyond the mileage: "On this epic adventure, I met incredible people from many corners of the world and experienced 27 beautiful countries."
The range of the 4.47-metre-long and over two-tonne vehicle is certainly impressive: more than 600 kilometers according to WLTP in the extended range version with rear-wheel drive. "Enough to cope with power outages in Africa or an inadequate charging network in the Chilean Atacama Desert," says Ford.
Buyers in Austria will probably consider beforehand whether their everyday life suits the Ford Explorer - or the available charging infrastructure. The all-wheel drive top model charges its battery from ten to 80 percent in around 26 minutes with up to 185 kW DC charging power, while the rear-wheel drive model takes two minutes longer. The maximum charging power with alternating current is 11 kW.
Market launch with the large batteries
The new Ford Explorer is the first fully electric high-volume passenger car model that Ford has developed for Europe. It is now available to order at prices starting at 48,790 euros. In the initially cheapest version, the crossover has a 210 kW/286 hp rear-wheel drive, which is powered by a 77 kWh NMC battery. The manufacturer states a range of up to 602 kilometers.
Alternatively, an all-wheel drive version with two motors and 250 kW/340 hp will be available at market launch (from €52,490), which should be able to travel up to 566 kilometers thanks to a 79 kWh battery. At the end of the year, the basic model with a small battery and a range of 384 kilometers will be added to the range; it costs from 43,890 euros.
All Explorer models are equipped with a 14.6-inch infotainment system, sports seats and a massage function for the driver. Matrix LED headlights, panoramic roof and head-up display are also available in the higher lines.
A VW at heart
All models are built at the main plant in Cologne; the drive technology comes from competitor VW, which uses it in its direct rival model, the ID.4, among others. The crossover from Wolfsburg currently costs from 43,890 euros with a small battery and 170 hp; with the larger battery and 286 hp rear-wheel drive, it costs 47,790 euros, and 49,790 euros with the same level of all-wheel drive.
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