Ford:with the Explorer we want to challenge prejudices about the autonomy of electric vehicles

With 600 kilometers of range and European dimensions, the Explorer inaugurates a new generation of Ford electric models.We'll tell you how it goes in our test.

If the name Explorer if it sounds familiar you would be right, it has long been an iconic Ford model, also available for a period in a plug-in hybrid which we told you about.But no, it's not the same model.But of a model that from that name, which has a lot to do with the discovery, inherits the spirit, the "format" (in the sense that it is still an SUV but of decidedly more compact dimensions).

But above all the new Explorer is fully electric, built in Europe (in Cologne, in a historic 1930 Ford plant transformed into an electric vehicle production plant, and not in the USA like the model of the same name, which remains available in other markets but not in Italy) and designed for 'Europe.In short, the Explorer is a deliberate case of homonymy, in reality two poles apart vehicles, as we will see shortly.

After saying goodbye to Fiesta and Focus, Explorer inaugurates a new generation of electric vehicles

A model that is also the symbol of a new course for Ford which, while on the one hand saying goodbye to successful compact models such as Fiesta And Focus (now considered to have "low profitability" but which perhaps many would have appreciated in the electric version...), on the other hand it has declared that it wants to achieve carbon neutrality throughout its European production footprint, including plants, logistics and direct suppliers, by 2035.

 

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Explorer is the first Ford electric SUV designed and produced in Europe, "the forerunner of a new generation of zero-emission models from the American company", as underlined in a note.Yes, because Ford already had one of its electric SUVs, there Mustang Mach-E, which however belongs to a previous generation (in this case the platform is the same one that Volkswagen uses for the electric one ID.3), both in terms of efficiency and price positioning.Explorer is an SUV, yes, but compact (it's long 4 meters and 46, Approximately 1.63 meters tall 2 thousand kilos in weight), with 5 comfortable seats and above all 600 kilometers of electric range and with a 2 or 4 wheel drive.

A world tour to challenge fake news on autonomy

“We know that the electricity transition takes time, it is a gradual and progressive process,” he explained Fabrizio Faltoni, CEO of Ford Italia, for this reason “with Explorer we tried to challenge some of the prejudices towards electric, i.e. that of autonomy which is often perceived as reduced or binding, carrying out a test drive which saw Explorer complete the around the world in electric”.In fact, autonomy is one of the more convincing aspects of the Explorer, as we will see shortly.

The space (for 5), the practicality, and that touch screen that hides a surprise…

The first impression once you get on board is the remarkable space for 5 (thanks to the flat floor even the third passenger travels comfortably behind) and with a large trunk with double bottom and regular shape.The large panoramic roof has no blackout curtains but is capable of filtering light and heat.Now indispensable large touch screen from which to control (not always intuitively...) all the car's functions, almost 15 inches of tilting screen reminiscent of some models Tesla but which hides a storage compartment here;it wouldn't be news if so screen effectively acted as a key lock for a compartment in which to store objects to be hidden from view.The numerous object holders are comfortable and spacious, the quality of the plastics is average.

Steering wheel and seats are heated, the latter (only the front ones) also massage the back, a panacea on long journeys.Those who love listening to music (and in an electric car it is even more pleasant due to the better soundproofing, at least up to medium speeds), will appreciate the possibility of having a B&O audio system with 10 speakers. The driving position is ideal, raised for better visibility on the road, and very useful 360 degree cameras and sensors for manoeuvres, especially at the rear, where visibility is poor.

The most efficient version offers up to 600 kilometers of autonomy (declared)

Ford Explorer is available in versions a rear-wheel drive (RWD) with single electric motor or a all-wheel drive (AWD) with dual motors.Both use lithium ion and nickel, manganese and cobalt batteries with capacities of 52, 77 or 79 kWh depending on the versions.In detail, the available versions start from the "base" Standard range with power of 125 kW/170 horsepower, Extended range RWD 150 kW/204 horsepower and 544 kilometers of electric range in mixed use, moving on to 210 kW/286 horsepower RWD with 602 kilometers of autonomy, to arrive at the Extended range all-wheel drive version 250 kW/340 hpi AWD and 566 kilometers of electric range (always declared, we will soon see how the real data changes).

Ford Explorer:charging times and price lists

Reduced turning radius (9.7 meters for the 2-wheel drive version), very comfortable, with the different driving modes selectable only from the large screen instead of the physical control (button or lever) present on other electric models.Then there are the voice commands, or "starting" by simply pressing the brake pedal (and keeping the keys in your pocket) which simplify everyday life.

Add one to us fast charging which in the best conditions allows you to go from 10 to 80 percent charging in just over 25 minutes.As for theelectric autonomy, consider it an average between 480 and 510 “real” kilometers, with the 2-wheel drive versions achieving the best results.We close with the prices that for Ford Explorer start from 41,500 euros.