L-R) Herman Mbalasi Country Manager Cooper Motor Corporation Uganda (CMC) and Denis Owili Stanbic’s Vehicle and Asset Finance Manager unveil the all-new Ford Everest at the CMC headquarters in Nakawa. Stanbic Bank the financial partner of CMC is providing a monthly payment solution at $1,300 per month to be paid within 4 years, including free insurance for the first year of acquisition.
Ford Motor Company and its distributor, Cooper Motors Corporation (CMC) Uganda on Tuesday unveiled the all-new Ford Everest at a media breakfast briefing held at the CMC headquarters in Nakawa.
The Everest is designed to be sporty and tough and offers a bold design, advanced technology, exceptional off-road and on-road capability, and a refined, premium interior. It sets a benchmark by bringing together smart features with spontaneous flexibility and an outstanding fuel economy.
The new Everest strikes a perfect balance between rugged capability and refinement with its combination of sleek and bold sculptural designs that carry an air of sophistication and comfort in both on-road and off-road situations.
With a rugged, heavily sculpted exterior that reflects its unshakeable toughness and premium design, the new Everest blends strength, smart features and style to bring consumers a truly capable and versatile Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).
Technologically sound, the all-new Everest comes with many first-in-segment features that make it one of the smartest off-road SUVs ever made, ingeniously packaged with functions that enable extraordinary journeys.
“The Everest also represents Ford’s commitment to exceed customer expectations with advanced technologies for a smarter and more capable vehicle at a very reasonable price,” said Richard Musani, Ford Brand Manager, CMC Uganda.
CMC Uganda has partnered with Stanbic bank to ease access to the coveted vehicle that costs about US$ 75,900 (about Shs280m).
Denis Owili, the Stanbic Bank’s Head of Vehicle and Asset Finance said they are proud to be the main financial partner with CMC.
“We are providing vehicle financing solutions that are affordable and flexible to enable ease of payments both in US dollars or Uganda Shillings. Customers will also enjoy the available financing options that Stanbic will provide. For a flexible monthly rental fee starting at USD1, 300 (about Shs4.8m), customers can drive away with a Ford Everest car. Customers will also enjoy the available insurance options that add value to our financing options,” he said, adding: “We continue to find ways to improve our customer’s lives and help make a difference by providing tailor made asset finance solutions.”
He said the repayment period is four years but can be renegotiated.
Speaking at the same event, Herman Mbalasi, the CMC Country Manager noted that the company has robust after sales services, adding that it has dealers upcountry where its customers can access the services.
Asked whether they tend to partner with other financial institutions, Mbalasi said for Ford Everest, they are only partnering with Stanbic. He said while they welcome customers from other financial institutions, their arrangement with Stanbic makes the car more affordable compared to when one got it through another bank.
Balancing rugged off-road and refined on-road capability
The all-new Everest was designed from the ground up with the durability to take on the most inhospitable environments. One of the toughest SUVs in its segment, the Everest has a body-on-frame design, assuring the torsional strength required for challenging terrains.
Together with an intelligent four-wheel drive system, an active transfer case with Torque on Demand and ground clearance of 225mm and water-wading capability of 800mm, the Everest helps drivers navigate difficult terrain with ease.
For ultimate capability, the advanced newTerrain Management System gives drivers four settings – Normal, Gravel/Grass, Sand and Rock– that alter the vehicle’s throttle response, transmission, intelligent four-wheel drive system and traction control to confidently tackle any situation. For extreme off-road environments, drivers can manually lock the transfer case in low-range four-wheel drive mode for increased control.
These impressive off-road credentials are paired to a new level of ride quality and dynamic handling beyond what consumers have come to expect in a rugged SUV. Thanks to its coil spring front and rear suspension and a Watt’s linkage on the rear axle, the all-new Ford Everest provides a comfortable, stable ride with agile and predictable handling on the road, maintaining Ford’s fun-to-drive DNA.
Advanced technology for a smarter, safer drive
The all-new Ford Everest is one of the most technologically advanced SUVs on the market and builds on Ford’s global expertise in the utility segment.
The latest generation of Ford’s in-car connectivity solution, SYNC®3, recognises10 000 natural voice commands to control the car’s entertainment system, climate control and connected mobile devices more easily than ever before. SYNC®3 also boasts an eight-inch touch screen with colour-coded corners for easy menu navigation. The entertainment system features a top-end 10-speaker sound system with an integrated subwoofer, providing accurate and precise sound reproduction and deep, rich bass.
Other segment-first technologies in the all-new Everest include Curve Control, designed to help drivers maintain control when approaching turns too quickly, and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert on the Limited model, which informs drivers when there is a vehicle in their blind spot while driving or when preparing to reverse out of parking spots.
The vehicle also offers other advanced features, including Roll Stability Control and an Electronic Stability Program that works with traction control to help the driver stay in control. Active Park Assist on the all-new Everest Limited enables drivers to parallel park hands-free, requiring only accelerating, shifting and braking from the driver.
In addition to advanced active safety systems, a strong passenger cage built using high-strength materials like boron steel, and passive safety features, including seven airbags, help to keep occupants safe in the event of a collision.
Power and efficiency to go further
The exceptional capabilities of the all-new Ford Everest are made possible by the latest-generation 3.2-litre five-cylinder DuratorqTDCi turbo diesel engine which incorporates an advanced exhaust gas recirculation system to boost efficiency.
It produces 147kW of power matched to an impressive 470Nm of torque, which makes the all-new Everest ideal for everyday driving as well as use in heavy-duty applications such as off-roading or towing.
The 3.2-litre engine is matched to a durable and efficient six-speed automatic transmission that delivers smooth shifts and outstanding responsiveness – with the added benefit of a Sport mode as well as a Manual mode for improved control.
Smart and functional design
The all-new Ford Everest stands apart with a bold, sculptural design that communicates its impressive capabilities and advanced smart features, while the robust front end with signature LED daytime running lights and wide stance make for a powerful presence on the road. The chiselled and technical design is also highly efficient – extensive aerodynamic testing led to an exterior that seamlessly melds form and function.
The all-new Everest’s bold exterior presence is paired with a modern interior that makes use of refined materials and emphasizes horizontal lines to create a comfortable, harmonious environment for up to seven adult occupants.
Interior features balance ride comfort with ultimate practicality, with standard folding second and third-row seating, more than 30 cleverly designed stowage spaces, multiple power outlets and flexible seating and cargo arrangements to achieve a perfect balance between passenger demands and packing efficiency.
On the high-spec Everest Limited, the third-row seats feature a power-fold function, a powered tailgate and an optional dual-panel moonroof.
To ensure exceptional cabin quietness, Ford equipped the all-new Everest with Active Noise Cancellation technology in addition to optimizing cabin sealing and sound absorbing materials throughout the vehicle.
Feature-rich model line-up
The all-new Everest is available in two feature-packed model derivatives, starting off with the XLT-spec 3.2 Auto 4×4. The XLT is comprehensively packaged with features that customers value, including the innovative new Terrain Management System.
This is complemented by an exceptional level of safety features including seven airbags, driver assist technologies such as Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Roll Stability Control, cruise control, as well as rear park assist with rear view camera. The XLT features 18-inch alloy wheels and running boards as standard.
As the flagship of the all-new Everest range, the Limited model gains an extensive set of premium features including power-fold third row seats and powered tailgate, plus innovative driver aids such as Active Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Auto High Beam Control, Blind Spot Monitoring with Cross Traffic Alert, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist.
Exterior enhancements include 20-inch alloy wheels, high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and LED daytime running lights.
It’s an outstanding model that is with all those qualities it must be a blast