Years ago, the Romanian hit Dacia Duster surprised the market by being transformed into a practical cargo version, proving that a crossover can also be an ideal business partner. Today, this concept is also being carried over to the more premium segment, where the new all-electric Ford Explorer has decided to forgo its rear seats in the name of pure pragmatism.
The American brand has officially launched a specialized light-duty version of its popular model in the UK. At first glance, the car retains its muscular silhouette, but the devil is in the details: the rear windows have been replaced by protective panels, and the interior has undergone a complete metamorphosis. Engineers have ripped out the rear row of seats, installed a sturdy polymer partition and created a flat floor, turning the passenger car into a compact but high-tech van.
The result of this surgical intervention is impressive - the cargo capacity now reaches 1235 liters (and according to some configurations even 1460 liters), and the car can carry a load of up to 650 kg. For professionals who do not compromise, Ford also offers additional packages, including amber roof warning lights, specialized nets and adjustable partitions for fixing valuable cargo.
However, the familiar power remains under the sheet metal. The base version has a single electric motor and a power of 286 hp, providing a solid range of up to 600 km - a critically important factor for deliveries in urban and rural areas. For those who need more traction, a dual-motor (AWD) 340 hp version is also available, which can tow trailers weighing up to 1.2 tons.
The price of this pleasure is fixed at 40,282 British pounds, which at current exchange rates is equivalent to approximately 46,260 euros. The question remains: will this “luxury worker“ manage to convince businesses that it is worth the investment, or will it remain in the shadow of its more affordable rivals?