The Ford Everest may soon be getting a new model in the form of the off-road-oriented Wildtrak X.
Spy shots published by the Australian publication CarExpert have shown what appears to be a new Everest Wildtrak derivative in testing with design elements reminiscent of the Wildtrak X that was recently added to the Ranger’s catalogue.
While no official announcement has been made by the company thus far, it has been on a recent trend of homogenizing the rosters of its bakkie and SUV series, making the Wildtrak X a logical next step for the automaker.
Image credit: CarExpert Australia
What we know so far
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X went on sale in South Africa in October last year, with the carmaker having previously launched two new Everest models – the XLT and Wildtrak – to join the existing Sport and Platinum nameplates.
In the case of the Ranger, the X effectively represents a middle ground between the base Wildtrak and the halo-model Raptor, using the engine of the former while adding a few of the advantages of the latter.
This includes a new suspension kit with Bilstein position-sensitive dampers that raise the ground clearance while improving ride quality, which is paired with a set of chunky General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres.
2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak X
It also features two new functions called Trail Turn Assist and Trail Control Assist, with the latter functioning as an off-road cruise control for speeds under 19km/h, while the former allows for up to 25% tighter turns by applying the brakes to the inner wheel at low speeds.
There are a few other details, including new Wildtrak X logos on the seats, door sills, and exterior, and a slightly redesigned grille with an auxiliary pair of daytime running lights in the centre.
The vehicle shown in the spy shots appears to exhibit many of these aspects such as the tyres and the new grille, making it a plausible addition to the Everest’s roster, though we will have to wait and see whether it receives all of the same features and equipment as its bakkie counterpart.
The big question is, of course, the engine, and if the Ranger is anything to go by, the SUV will use the same 2.0-litre, bi-turbo diesel unit with 154kW and 500Nm that connects to a 10-speed automatic gearbox.
It’s important to note that both the Ranger and Everest Wildtrak are sold with a 3.0-litre, turbocharged V6 diesel generating 184kW and 600Nm, but Ford made the conscious decision to equip the Ranger X with the smaller drivetrain.
The rationale behind this being that the 2.0-litre still provides plenty of power and that its better fuel efficiency means it is the more practical choice for overlanding expeditions.
Ford has yet to make any official statement as to whether an Everest Wildtrak X is planned for a South African introduction, though if it does eventually find its way to our shores, it will be interesting to see if it falls between the existing Wildtrak and Platinum in terms of price, or whether it will take the spot as the new flagship.
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