All-new 2021 Ford Equator unveiled; first, go on sale in China

KUALA LUMPUR: Finally, after a series of spy shots and teaser images, Ford has unveiled the all-new Equator SUV. In the company’s lineup, the Equator will sit above the Endeavour as it’s almost five meters in length. As for its sales, Ford’s latest SUV is currently limited to the Chinese market, it might reach other countries but we aren’t sure when and where.

If you think that the Equator nameplate is brand-new, then you are mistaken. As in the past, the company introduced an Equator concept. The production-version measures 4,905 mm in length, 1,930 mm in width, and 1,755 mm in height. Its wheelbase measures 2,865 mm. Thus, making it a little bigger than Everest but smaller than the Explorer.

On the design front, the Equator is blessed with fresh styling that includes split-headlights setup, imposing grille with gloss black finish and subtle chrome trims, front bumper with chrome outline, faux skid plate, subtle cladding all around, and chunky alloy wheels. All these elements make the Equator look aggressive and give it that head-turning appeal.

Furthermore, this new design theme from Ford is expected to feature on automaker's upcoming models like next-gen Edge, EcoSport, etc.

Like the exterior, the interior too is blessed with a new layout and several comforting features. The cabin has a premium look and feel with the three-rows getting multi-coloured seats that can be configured in either 6- or 7-seat setup. As for the dashboard, it features Mercedes-like dual-screen setup - the first one is an instrument cluster and the second one is an infotainment system. The dash features a multi-layer design and is beautified with faux wood, aluminium trim, and soft-touch material. Following the trend, the three-spoke steering gets a flat bottom.

Powering the China-spec Equator is a 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine churning a maximum power of 221 hp and 360 Nm of torque. The power will be channeled to the wheels via a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The SUV will be offered in both front-wheel-drive and AWD configuration.

The Ford Equator will go on sale in China from March 28, and there's a near to zero chance of the SUV launching elsewhere.

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