Ford’s first vehicle on the Volkswagen MEB EV architecture will be a crossover with a hint of Explorer in its design.
The general manager of Ford’s Model e electric vehicle division in Europe, Martin Sander, posted an image on Twitter of him lifting the wrap concealing the as-yet unnamed vehicle.
Simultaneously, a new, shadowy teaser image was published on Ford of Europe’s blog.
Both images reveal a fairly upright body, with LED daytime running lights up front somewhat reminiscent of the Explorer or Edge, and an upkick of the belt line towards the C-pillar.
The body appears more crisply styled than the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 it’ll share its underpinnings with, and boxier than the unrelated Mustang Mach-E it’ll share showroom space with.
Ford had already previewed this crossover in a shadowy teaser of the nine electric vehicles it plans to have in Europe by 2024, which includes five van or van-based models.
The remaining four vehicles are SUVs: the upcoming Puma EV; the Mustang Mach-E already on sale; the crossover previewed today, labelled ‘Sport Crossover’; and another vehicle labelled ‘Medium-size Crossover’.
It’s unclear just how large the so-called Sport Crossover will be, though it could be a sleeker but similarly sized counterpart to the Medium-size Crossover.
At this stage, no plans have been announced to sell either outside of Europe.
The Mustang Mach-E measures 4739mm long, while the Escape (or Kuga as it’s known in Europe) is up to 4629mm long. Ford could therefore have 2-3 similarly sized electric SUVs.
The company has invested US$2 billion (A$2.98bn) in modernising its Cologne, Germany plant, which currently builds the Fiesta, and will start production of one EV there from late next year. Fiesta production wraps up in June.
Ford will have an entirely electric passenger vehicle range in Europe by 2030, with each model line being “zero-emissions capable” by 2026 – whether that be a plug-in hybrid or a full EV.
Its commercial vehicle range will be zero-emissions capable by 2024, with the E-Transit to be joined by the E-Transit Custom and a plug-in hybrid Ranger in the works. By 2030, it expects two-thirds of its commercial vehicle sales to consist of PHEVs or EVs.
Ford is ending production of the Fiesta and Focus – following the axing of the European Mondeo – and focusing on SUVs, commercial vehicles, and the Mustang in Europe.
It also says it’s rediscovering its “adventurous spirit”, and will emphasise its American identity.
While Ford is one of the most famous and successful American automakers, its European operations have long developed vehicles attuned to European tastes.
Many of these vehicles have in turn been sold in Ford’s home market of the US, but there’s often been a key difference in styling and positioning between US-focused models like the F-150 and Bronco and more “international” fare like the Fiesta.
OUT: Fiesta 
IN: Bronco 
OUT: Focus 
IN: Mustang
The company’s European marketing chief said in a blog post there was a “disconnect between the passion we feel for our brand at Ford, and the more pragmatic lens through which consumers currently see us”.
“At our core, we have always felt we are another of the key words to come out of our consumer research: ‘American’” said Peter Zillig.
“Adventurous Spirit is the ethos that will help drive our transformation in Europe, by helping us connect emotionally with consumers who say they know we’re American, but don’t feel we’re American.”
To that end, the distinctly American Mustang will be joined on the continent by the Bronco. The Ranger Raptor will also give buyers a rather un-European performance option.
