Today too we peek across the border to see what is for sale there. We are back in China, where one newcomer after another is currently being presented. Ford is adding this Equator to its Chinese menu, a luxurious SUV with striking design.
Ford already has quite an extensive range of SUVs in China, a series of high-legged ones that we do not all know in Europe. Ford sells the previous generation Kuga there as Escape and also has the current Kuga in the range. Above this is the Edge Plus, a longer and modified version of the Edge that until recently was also available in the Netherlands. More unknown SUVs here? Certainly, the brand has Everest in its range, which is also available in Australia. That model must tolerate the Explorer above it. At the bottom of the SUV list is the Territory, in fact a Yusheng S330 from the Chinese manufacturer JAC on which Ford has pasted its own logos and of which an electric version also exists. Ford is now expanding with the Equator, an up to six-seater MPV that is considered a luxurious alternative to Everest.
Ford Equator
In terms of dimensions, the Ford Equator is therefore very close to Everest. Everest is 4.89 meters long and has a wheelbase of 2.85 meters. This brand new Ford Equator is 4.90 meters long and has a wheelbase of 2.87 meters. This makes it only slightly larger than Everest and also slightly shorter than the 5.05 meter long Explorer. Where the Everest is based on the Ranger and thus has a ladder chassis, the more comfort-oriented Equator has a self-supporting body.
Ford Equator
From the outside, the Equator is typically a model in Ford’s new Chinese design language. The car has a large grille with thin and flat LED daytime running lights that connect to it at the top. The headlights themselves are located lower in the bumper. At the rear we also see sleek and relatively flat light units. They are more or less tied together with an LED strip. The interior is a lot more striking. Behind the steering wheel is a wide panel that houses not only the digital instrumentation, but also the infotainment screen. Both screens are 12.3 inches in size. There is no canopy above, which, together with the curvature in the center console, is almost Mercedes-like.
Ford Equator
Ford is equipping the Equator with Co-Pilot360, a set of safety systems that includes intelligent adaptive cruise control, Evasive Steering Control, Pre-Collision Assist, an emergency braking system and active lane assist. The Equator will be available with, among other things, a blown 2.0 petrol engine, a four-cylinder that delivers 225 hp.
The Ford Equator, built by the Chinese JAC-Ford joint venture, is not coming to Europe. Is that a loss?