A prototype for an electrical compact crossover to be launched by Ford in early 2023 has been noticed for the primary time.
That is the mannequin Ford is creating on Volkswagen Group’s MEB modular platform designed for mainstream electrical automobiles, made doable by a deal hammered out between the 2 automakers in 2019. The MEB platform is present in a number of automobiles together with the Volkswagen ID.4 compact crossover, which the Ford will seemingly be intently aligned with.
The prototype is totally camouflaged however we are able to nonetheless collect particulars on the essential form and proportions from it. The design is near what we noticed in some earlier spy photographs of a clay mannequin, and appears to be quite a bit boxier than the ID.4, which ought to assist differentiate the 2 automobiles.
Some teaser photographs proven final month additionally trace at what’s to return.
Ford electrical crossover primarily based on VW Group’s MEB platform
Just like the ID.4, we are able to count on the Ford to supply the selection between rear- or all-wheel drive. It is not clear how large the battery shall be however the ID.4’s largest unit is an 82-kilowatt-hour unit that delivers as much as 275 miles of vary.
Do not search for the crossover to be offered within the U.S. Ford has solely introduced plans to promote it in Europe, the place will probably be constructed. Manufacturing shall be dealt with at Ford’s plant in Cologne, Germany. The location is the place Ford’s European headquarters can also be situated.
2023 Ford MEB-based electrical crossover spy photographs – Picture credit score: Baldauf
Ford will finally launch a second crossover in Europe primarily based on the MEB platform. It has been described as a sport crossover, and can seemingly find yourself as a extra coupe-like model of the primary crossover, much like how VW provides the ID.4 and ID.5 siblings.
The electrical crossovers are a part of Ford’s plans to launch 9 EVs in Europe by the top of 2024 on the best way to turning into a full-electric model within the Previous Continent by 2030.