Ford teases SUV based on Volkswagen MEB electric platform

Ford will be revealing its first EV built on Volkswagen‘s MEB platform in the coming months. This new EV will replace the Ford Fiesta hatchback in Europe and will be built in Cologne, Germany. Tipped to revive a historic Ford Moniker when it is revealed, the EV is expected to be similarly specified to the Volkswagen ID 4 with which it will share the bulk of its make-up.

1. New Ford EV to be based on VW MEB platform
2. Specification expected to be similar to VW ID 4

Both brands had confirmed co-developing an all-new EV crossover in 2021 but it was kept tightly under wraps. A pair of high-ranking Ford bosses have now given away the first hints at its design on social media, suggesting a reveal is only a few weeks away.

Volkswagen MEB based Ford electric SUV teased

Martin Sander, head of Ford’s Model E electrification division, lifted the covers off a part of the Skoda Enyaq rival’s front end on Twitter, saying: “Can’t wait for 2023 to arrive, when we will pull off the cover of our first electric passenger vehicle coming from Cologne.”

While only a small part of the car is visible, it is already clear this new EV will mark a step change in the design of Ford’s European-market cars. As reported by our sister publication Autocar UK, Ford’s most successful US-market cars – the Bronco and F-150 most notably – will influence the design of its global products, going forward.

Apart from its aero-optimised wheel designs, contrasting lower bumper and chunky headlights, everything remains under wraps, but in size and silhouette, it is evident that Ford’s new EV will be aimed squarely at cars like the Toyota bZ4X, Nissan Ariya and Volvo XC40 Recharge.

Ford’s European marketing boss Peter Zillig posted a darkened preview image of the car on LinkedIn, similarly giving little away but revealing a charismatic LED front light signature that could become a defining feature of Ford’s new-era cars.

Ford’s new European EVs will be built at its Cologne factory, which will be turned into a fully battery-electric plant. 

Ford’s plans for India

As far as India goes, after shutting down manufacturing here, Ford had plans to introduce the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV but there has been no update on that front for some time now.

When it comes to the MEB platform, Mahindra and Volkswagen signed an agreement earlier this year to explore the use of components from VW’s MEB modular electric car platform in Mahindra’s upcoming born electric vehicles.

Also See:

17 cars, SUVs being killed off by RDE norms before April 2023