Ford Explorer finally arrives after six month delay

After a delay of more than six months, Ford has finally opened order books for the Explorer, the brand’s second all-electric car. The SUV, which was revealed in 2022, is the first of two models to be based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform, and will arrive in the UK in  the summer.

Ford took the decision to delay the launch of the Explorer last year, citing a change of battery specification. According to an official statement, the old battery would not have met updated UN regulations that come into force this September. It’s understood that the new pack required a significant re-engineering of the car and management systems. Both new packs mirror those offered by Volkswagen Group models, which suggest that Ford is taking both the packs and motors - including the new APP550 drive unit – from the German brand. 

The Explorer will eventually be offered with three battery options, a 77kWh pack for the £45,875 Extended Range model and a larger 79kWh pack for the dual motor, all-wheel drive variant. In terms of power output, the Extended Range model delivers 282bhp while the £53,975 dual-motor model comes with 335bhp. 

Drivers can expect 374 miles of WLTP range with the Extended Range model and 329 miles in the all-wheel-drive range-topper. Maximum DC charging speeds will be 135kW and 185kW respectively with the latter delivering a 10-80% charge time of around 25 minutes. The change in battery spec and drive motor means that the Explorer’s maximum range has risen by 63 miles from the figures originally quoted when the car was unveiled.
 

Ford will add an additional Standard Range model with a 52kWh battery pack to the range by the end of the year. It will be priced at £39,875 and will come with a 168bhp motor and a DC charging speed of 125kW. As with the other models, the specifications mirror those available in the Volkswagen Group’s ID models. 

Customers will be able to choose between two trim grades: Select and Premium. Both versions heated seats and steering wheel and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher spec Premium models add matrix LED headlights, Bang & Olufsen sound system and ambient lighting. First deliveries are expected by September 2024.