Welcome to the Hooniverse News! As always, this is a weekly recap of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or bull. This week: Ford shows off Everest SUV that Americans still can’t get, Stellantis shows glimpse of EV compact Jeep and first electric Ram 1500, Ford splits engineering and design teams into EV and ICE divisions, and Polestar stuns with O2 Concept.
Ford Everest
It’s a rare thing when Ford debuts a new SUV that isn’t coming to the SUV capital of the world. But here we are once again with the Ford Everest, a rugged and adventure-ready SUV built on the new Ranger platform that’s destined for international markets deemed more worthy than America’s. But for the handful of readers we possibly kinda maybe have from said markets, it’s a much improved offering for those who still like to get dirty with their SUVs.
The Ford team responsible for the next-gen Everest had a clear objective: “tough on the outside, sanctuary on the inside, amazing capability underneath”. The Everest improves in every way that the new Ranger improves and that begins with the chassis. Its wide track, longer wheelbase, and new dampers deliver a more plush and controlled ride on all surfaces. It’s available with a choice of 4WD systems, a two-speed electronic shift-on-the-fly (part-time) 4WD system and a permanent 4WD system with an electronically controlled on-demand two-speed electromechanical transfer case – or just RWD in some markets. Its engines will depend on the market, but it can carry a 3.0L turbodiesel V6, one of two 2.0L four-cylinder diesels, and a 2.3L EcoBoost gas engine. It will either come with a six-speed or ten-speed automatic.
Underbody protection, a locking rear differential, and new camera views with off-road displays can help ensure a trouble-free off road experience. But when all you want is a smooth ride home on the freeway, the Everest is improved in that regard as well. Reducing cabin noise levels was a priority as was improving cabin materials. Plush materials, premium finishes, and ambient lighting aim to create a cabin space that feels just a bit nicer than most SUVs in its class. There’s room for up to seven and all rows have storage space and (optionally) device charging ports. The cabin will look very similar to the new Ranger for obvious reasons and that includes many of its tech features, such as the available digital displays and large infotainment screen, wireless device charging, and driver assist systems.
They’ve not talked about pricing yet or when it will launch. But when it does, you’ll have thousands of jealous Americans trying to get you to drive it onto a boat.
[Source: Ford]
Stellantis previews first electric Jeep and RAM
Some brands that have famously been behind the curve on electrification were those under the old FCA umbrella. Now that Stellantis is in charge, they’re beginning to show some progress on that front and have shown us two more teasers of the first round of EVs on the way.
The first is an unnamed Jeep crossover which appears to be about the same size as the Renegade or maybe even smaller. The compact crossover looks fairly modern and fresh compared to any other crossover the brand currently produces. And you can tell it’s an EV because of the blue ‘e’ on the grille. This one is expected within the first half of 2023. Jeep also claims they’ll have an electrified version of every model available by 2025 and they’ll join Rivian in building charging stations at popular trailheads.
Now on to something that is very much not small, the first electric Ram pickup has been teased as well. These shadowy renderings are all we have at the moment until we get closer to its planned 2024 launch. By then, Ford, Chevrolet, and Rivian will have had their electric pickups on the market taking up their chunk of that glorious market share. And maybe by then Tesla will be finish building the factory where the Cybertruck is supposed to be built. But that’ll give Ram the time to make their first EV as good and competitive as it can possibly be, and they’ll get to see what does and doesn’t work with the competition.
We’ll keep you posted on both of these as more info comes out.
[Source: Stellantis via MotorAuthority]
Ford+ plan splits electric and ICE vehicle development
Ford has taken an interesting approach to supporting electric and ICE vehicle development simultaneously. This week they announced the Ford+ Plan will effectively be splitting into two new businesses which are distinct but also interdependent. This signals a commitment to forward-thinking solutions for electrification, almost as if they were a completely new business and not one of the world’s oldest, while still leveraging what they’ve already achieved on the ICE side.
One side of the business, called Ford Model e, will devote themselves entirely to the future of electric vehicles and connected vehicle software. This will be where their brightest software, engineering, design, and UX talent can roam free. By operating as their own “company” in a way, they can take a clean-sheet approach to developing EV platforms, batteries, e-motors, inverters, charging, and recycling. They’ll also be focusing on enhancing the shopping, buying, and ownership experience and applying those lessons to the existing ICE vehicles… I can’t imagine what could have possibly convinced them to do this.
On the other side is what’s called Ford Blue. They will continue to build out the company’s iconic portfolio of ICE vehicles. By strengthening brands like the F-Series, Ranger, Bronco, Explorer, and Mustang, they can provide more updated models and derivatives to keep the buyers of today happy. Ford has been in this business for longer than almost anyone, so they’re not ready to completely give up their expertise in this side of the business. In fact, they’ll be finding ways to leverage Ford’s existing strengths on the ICE side in the new EV side as well. They’re talking global-scale engineering, purchasing, manufacturing, and vehicle test and development capabilities.
I guess the strategy here is to allow the EV people some more freedom in how they find solutions to things. Some upper manager must’ve thought that having such vastly different types of vehicles under one roof was holding each other back, so declaring themselves as distinct but interdependent could have been the first of many steps to rectify that. If it works, we’ll get more innovative EVs at a more rapid pace and some awesome new versions of the vehicles we already know and love to send off the ICE era with a bang. Or it’ll just be a pointless organizational change that we’ll all forget about.
[Source: Ford]
Polestar O2 Concept
Volvo’s Polestar brand just keeps knocking it out of the park. They stunned us this week with the O2 Concept, a 2+2 hardtop convertible EV with impressive engineering behind it. It’s like a much cooler VW Eos. Jeff did a video on this one, so rather than type out the same shit, you can just go watch that instead. You’ll be informed if they ever announce a production run.
[Source: Polestar]
What’s your automotive news?
That’s all I’ve got for you this week, so now it’s your turn. If you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.
Have a good weekend.
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