The Explorer’s journey crossed six continents, drove through 27 countries and covered more than 30,000 kilometres, all on electric power alone. Battling power outages in Africa, a lack of charging infrastructure in the Atacama desert of Chile, unmade roads, mountain passes and freezing conditions, the achievement proved just what is possible in an electric vehicle.
To celebrate its Charge Around The Globe tour, Ford has confirmed the price and specification of the new Ford Explorer range, officially making the EV that has been travelling around the world available to customers. Crossing the finish line in Nice, France, Lexie and the new Ford Explorer led a convoy of iconic Ford vehicles, flanked by current models that are shaping the visionary future direction of the company.
The vehicle Lexie used for the challenge was a pre-production version of the Ford Explorer that is now available to order. Over the course of the journey it used a variety of charging solutions from 2.2 kw AC wall outlets to DC fast chargers and a portable battery pack.
Throughout the journey Lexie relied on MegaConsole cabin storage that can hold three 1.5-litre drinks bottles with room to spare, heated and massaging driver’s seat and voice-activated SYNC Move infotainment 2 with an adjustable touchscreen – features that come as standard on both Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Premium models.
Ford Explorer
The new all-electric Explorer is Ford’s first passenger EV to be developed and built in Europe. An EV is introduced with a choice of single motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) or dual motor all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrains. Both use a lithium-ion nickel-manganese cobalt (NMC) battery with 77kWh or 79kWh of usable capacity. Charging from 10-80 per cent takes approximately 26 minutes using up to 185 kW DC fast charging for the AWD model.
Explorer can accelerate faster than a Ford Performance Focus ST, with 340 PS meaning 100 km/h can be reached in 5.3 seconds. Explorer AWD can also tow up to 1,200 kg. Driving range is 532 to 602 km on the WLTP test cycle, depending on vehicle configuration (RWD or AWD) and trim level (Explorer / Explorer Premium).
Ford Explorer Extended Range RWD is priced from €49,500 in Germany, €45,950 in the Netherlands and £45,875 in the UK.
Source: Ford