Ford is busy working on special editions of its Ranger and Everest models and the latest cab off the rank will be the Everest Wildtrak X, which mimics the recently released Ranger Wildtrak X.
Spied testing on the roads of Melbourne, this lightly camouflaged vehicle sports similar design highlights to the Ranger Wildtrak X.
Spotted changes include integrated LED lights within the grille, raised ride height (above the regular Everest), unique badges, General Grabber all terrain tyres, black wheels and what appears to be a two-piece front bumper.
Beneath the skin the vehicle is expected to be fitted with the same position-sensitive Bilstein dampers with external reservoir and new springs.
Other changes expected to be included are Trail Control and Turn Assist, the former being an off-road cruise control feature and the latter a turn radius reduction tool that utilises individual wheel braking.
Now, what about an Everest Raptor? Our theory is that Ford would be mad not to continue replicating its Ranger nameplates in the Everest. But would it be possible?
Here’s how we think it’d play out. Ford would stick the same engine in as the Ranger Raptor, so the Everest Raptor would be powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine, but instead of the option of part-time four-wheel drive, it would be a full-time four-wheel drive.
Additionally, to solve the GVM/GCM issue, Ford would limit seating capacity to five seats (instead of seven), saving around 40-50kg of weight and would also limit towing capacity to 2500kg with a braked trailer.
This would in theory offer a payload of around 600kg, which would drop to 350kg at 250kg of downball weight. Alternatively, Ford could look to offer a GVM upgrade to bring the Everest more in line with the Ranger (which depending on specification offers around 150kg more GVM).
These changes would propel Ford into a segment that has very few competitors and offer one of the craziest family SUVs on the market.
MORE: Everything Ford Everest
