Ford is developing two electric SUVs for the European market that will utilize Volkswagen’s MEB architecture. The first spy photos of one of those vehicles were captured last month, but this time, our photographers were able to get a closer look providing s a better understanding of the exterior design.
The Blue Oval has not yet disclosed the names of the upcoming MEB-based models, but in a teaser released last year, the company referred to them simply as a “medium-sized crossover” and a “sport crossover”. The prototype that was recently photographed has a sporty appearance, but the LED lighting signature at the front suggests it may be the “medium-sized crossover” from that shadowy teaser.
Read: Mystery Sporty Ford Or Lincoln Model Spotted At Dearborn Development Center
Despite being fully covered in camouflage, some of the styling elements of the electric crossover can still be seen. These include the large, aerodynamically designed alloy wheels with a gloss black finish. The front of the vehicle features a tall nose with a covered grille and LED headlights on either side and a fairly short bonnet made possible by the absence of a traditional internal combustion engine. The side profile of the vehicle resembles other Ford SUVs, with a similar greenhouse, but the beltline is more similar to the VW ID.4. The rear of the EV has a sporty look, with a sharp roof spoiler, full-width taillights, and a diffuser.
Ford has yet to reveal many details about the technical specifications of the EV, but has confirmed a driving range of up to 500 km (311 miles). The MEB platform that the Ford model will use will be similar to that found under the VW ID.4, the Audi Q4 e-tron, the Skoda Enyaq iV, and theupcoming Cupra Tavascan. This suggests that it will likely be available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) with a single or dual electric motor configuration.
Our sources indicate that the “medium-sized crossover” will be unveiled in March, so the wait for the reveal won’t be much longer. Production of this model will begin at Ford’s Cologne Electrification Center in Germany in mid-2023. The “sport crossover,” which is mechanically related, is expected to be produced at the same factory and will be released later in 2024.
It’s worth noting that Ford recently announced that it is developing its own EV-dedicated platform for future models. This probably means that we won’t see any more Ford vehicles using the VW-sourced MEB platform, apart from the two aforementioned electric crossovers.
