POP quiz.
Five years ago, there was a Ford for everyone.
Can you remember them all?
OK, I’ll tell you. There were 14 . . .
Ka, Fiesta, EcoSport, Focus, Focus estate, Kuga, B-Max, C-Max, S-Max, Mondeo, Mondeo estate, Edge, Galaxy and Mustang.
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In the not-too-distant future, Ford will have just FOUR cars — and it goes without saying they will be pure electric.
Puma, Explorer, Capri and Mustang. Yep, Capri returns as a sports crossover.
We’ve already got Mustang Mach-E and this week the covers came off the next one. Explorer.
Or as I see it, the electric Focus.
Ford is being rebooted in Europe, I mean, like, switch-it-off-and-back-on-again, playing heavily on its American roots and using iconic names from the glory years.
It also means they’ll sell fewer cars — and we’ll pay more for them.
Ford marketing boss Peter Zillig said: “For too long we have tried to be too many different things to lots of different customers.”
Here are ten things you need to know about the new electric Focus.
Sorry, I mean Explorer.
- It will start at (gulp) £40k. I know. Chunky. Capri will cost a bit more. Puma EV will cost a bit less. Explorer will hit the road early next year, while Capri and Puma EV follow a few months later.
- As we said, Explorer looks very American. Ford calls it “adventure-ready”. But without roof rails? It will be built in Cologne, Germany, where the soon-to-be-axed Fiesta is made. See what other Sun readers think of it below.
- Ford is using Volkwagen’s electrical systems to make two cars — Explorer and Capri. So peel back the skin and you’ve got a Volkswagen ID3, ID4, Skoda Enyaq or Cupra Born..
- That means range, performance and charging times will be similar. Expect the top version to be 300hp, 4WD and do up to 310 miles. That’s fast Ford territory and probably £50k. The base car will be rear-wheel drive.
- Ford promises Explorer will “drive like a Ford” with its own suspension tuning and tyres.
- It’s not as big as it looks. It’s only a smidge longer than Focus and the short overhangs should make it easy to thread around town, and to park.
- As for the cabin? That’s a home run. Touchdown. Three-pointer. Nothing like a Focus. More like a Volvo. The trim and finish is quality stuff and leather-free. There’s a sound bar on top of the dashboard and coloured ambient light strips give a cocktail-bar vibe . . . where you’re the DJ. The front seats warm and rub your back.
- Tech. Everything you’d expect, crowned by that 15in upended iPad. This next bit is clever. The touchscreen slides up and down to suit your eye and hides a lockable safe behind it for wallets, keys or whatever.
- It’s airy inside. Bigger than a Kuga. Slim integrated headrests and a huge glass roof add to the feeling of space in the back. Decent 450-litre boot. The “Mega console” up front swallows a handbag or three 1.5-litre bottles.
- The rear wiper blade is lifted off a Focus. See. It really is the electric Focus.
...NOW WHAT DO YOU LOT THINK?
WELL, this is a bit awkward . . . for Volkswagen.
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Ford’s new pure electric Explorer is actually a better car than the VW it is based on.
I know that’s the case because Sun reader Paul Bolton was driven to our exclusive Explorer preview in an ID4.
"The retired driving instructor said: “I prefer this to the VW. Definitely. The interior is fantastic, feels more expensive.
"We haven’t seen a Ford like this before. It’s individual without being quirky.
"People will buy it because they trust Ford — they’re a safe bet.”
Ex-Dyson engineer and Mondeo driver Tony Widdick liked it too.
Eventually.
He said: “I didn’t dislike it when it was unveiled but if you really take the time and look at it, I think they’ll win with it.
“It’s got a heap of presence for its size. I love the back.
"I think it’s a really clever alternative. I’d take the Ford over the Volkswagen.”
Tony’s partner Clare Dorling was less impressed.
She said: “I’m a technophobe, the simpler the better for me — and I wouldn’t spend £40,000 on a car. I do love the colour, though.”
Others said Explorer has the scent of an Evoque.
What do you think?
Metal recycling boss Shilow Smith said: “If you saw a black one on the M1 at night you’d say it was an Evoque at the back.
"Which is a compliment.
"Same window, same lines, same black strip across the boot where it says Explorer.
“But the front is too flat and smooth for my liking. It needs definition and aggression.
"The interior sells itself. Ten out of ten.
"I like the big screen, the sound bar and the Discovery steering wheel.”
Puma driver Kay Frost said: “I have to say it reminded me of the Evoque — which I love. I’d swap my Puma for one of these.”
Hubby Andy said: “The interior’s very airy. Nice tech. Nice finishes.
"But I’m with Shilow. I prefer something that looks a little bit more aggressive at the front, big grille and so on.
“I know electric cars are supposed to be smooth and clean to help range, but that’s my eye.”
Practical law specialist Yvonne Hagan said: “I am all about sustainability.
"If I can do my bit for the environment and also know I’m not having to pay ULEZ, I’m in.
“I’m not doing 300 miles any time soon so this works for me.
"I’d be able to see my three-year-old boy in the back, just by turning my head, thanks to the skinny headrests.
"I have to use a second rear-view mirror in my Peugeot 206 convertible.
“My partner could drive it if he wanted to, as opposed to my pretty, girlie car.”
So here’s the verdict:
- 4 THUMBS UP
- 2 THUMBS MIDDLE
- 1 THUMBS DOWN
Let’s finish with a few words from Explorer designer Jordan Demkiw on the comparison with the Evoque.
He said: “Our own back catalogue has a lot of the inspiration.
"If you look at the Explorer in the US, that’s how the rear end is set up.”
