JP\/17\/FORD<\/p>\n
Space for everyone in the new Ford Everest<\/p>\n
Nitza Arbi and Zatni Arbi
\nContributor\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Like most other Asians, we Indonesians are well known for the
\ncohesiveness of our extended families. We always stick together.
\nThe good thing is that we always have people to provide us with
\nsupport in times of trial and adversity. The downside is that the
\nsocial cost is quite high.<\/p>\n
When it comes to choosing our family car, the preponderance of
\nthe extended family becomes quite obvious. Most of us will look
\nfor cars that can carry as many people as possible. Sometimes we
\neven try to beat the odds by choosing an ultra-cramped seven-
\nseater with a very small engine.<\/p>\n
The Everest is Ford's answer to the problem. This is quite a
\nbehemoth seven seater-eight seater, if three children do not mind
\nsharing the back bench seat.<\/p>\n
Although the advantage of a diesel engine over its petrol
\ncounterpart has diminished since the government adjusted the
\nprice of diesel a couple of years back, Ford has chosen a 2,500
\ncc, 110 horsepower turbo diesel engine with intercooler for this
\nfamily hauler.<\/p>\n
Ford Everest is built on the platform of the immensely popular
\nRanger light trucks. That is why its total length is almost five
\nmeters. While we are enamored by the macho look in the front, the
\nrear end with its high rear lights and roof spoiler looks much
\ntoo soft to us. This combination makes us think we are seeing two
\ndifferent personalities in one car.<\/p>\n
The rear tailgate also opens to the right and the spare tire
\nis mounted on the rear door. While these features do not exactly
\ndelight us, Ford adds a crude, non gas-filled door stopper to
\nensure us that the door will not slam on our back when we are
\nstanding behind it.<\/p>\n
Our first suggestion to Everest designers would be to put the
\nspare tire inside, under the cargo floor, and move the door
\nhinges to the top.<\/p>\n
Except for these subjective gripes, we actually like the car's
\noverall design. The ground clearance is terrific, all four doors
\nopen wide and they close easily. The bumpers are menacing enough
\nto remind bajaj or minibus drivers that they had better be extra
\ncareful. The step board makes getting in and out easy.<\/p>\n
Ford Motor Indonesia (FMI), which is now fully owned by the
\nFord Motor Company, was kind enough to let us test drive the top
\nmodel of their Everest, which was the Rp 332.8 million Limited.
\nIt has an all-leather trim and a Pioneer CD changer cum MP3
\nplayer cum radio that puts my home stereo to shame.<\/p>\n
It also features a two-tone body and four by four capability.
\nBy the way, the sound system has a remote control, and even a
\npair of tweeter speakers that are integrated in the A-pillar. The
\naudio quality is simply outstanding.<\/p>\n
What would be the use of a superb audio system if the cabin
\nwas noisy? Again, Ford has done a great job in shielding
\npassengers from engine noise, road noise and traffic noise. At
\nleast inside the Limited model the cabin is very quiet.<\/p>\n
Ford Everest, which is sold mainly in Asia, comes in three
\nmain types. The low-end is the Rp 218.8 million, four by two XLT
\nmodel with manual transmission and cloth upholstery.<\/p>\n
A little bit up, there is the Rp 244 million XLT model with an
\nautomatic transmission and cloth upholstery. Four by four is an
\noption across all models, but the Limited only comes with
\nautomatic transmission.<\/p>\n
As it was such a long vehicle, we had no reason to complain
\nabout leg space. There is plenty of it. Ford has designed the
\nrows of seats like a theater, so that even the people sitting in
\nthe third row can enjoy an unobstructed view of the road ahead.
\nHeadroom is also plentiful, even for the unfortunate ones who
\nhave to take the third row.<\/p>\n
The unfortunate? Yes, because the floor is so high back there
\nthat third row passengers basically have to sit with their feet
\nhigher than their stomachs. To add to their suffering, there are
\nno headrests in the third row, as more headrests would block the
\ndriver's rear view.<\/p>\n
So, the second recommendation for the next generation of
\nEverest would be to lower the floor panel right behind the middle
\nrow.<\/p>\n
It would also be nicer if the driver's seat, which is
\notherwise very supportive, was height-adjustable so that
\nIndonesians of an average height, could still see the leading
\nedge of the hood. A larger footrest for the left foot in the
\nautomatic gear model would be much appreciated, too.<\/p>\n
There are plenty of electronic features. The backup sensor
\nbeeps noisily each time you reverse, but certainly assists the
\ndriver.<\/p>\n
Talk about comfort, the world's number one truck maker has
\ncertainly accomplished what had seemed impossible with Everest.
\nThey tuned the suspension and made it a very comfortable
\npassenger car, despite its tough look.<\/p>\n
The rear axle is still connected to the chassis by leaf
\nsprings, but, honestly, even those who sat in the third row did
\nnot feel weary after our one-hour trip from Jakarta to Bogor.
\nEven a day trip did not bore those participating in our test
\ndrive.<\/p>\n
Besides the platform, Everest also shares Ranger's engine and
\npowertrain. When we first opened the hood, the truck's legacy was
\nobvious. Pipes and cables were everywhere. This is another area
\nthat Ford may want to improve. Other cars have these pipes and
\ncables more neatly arranged and discreetly covered.<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, the engine sound when the hood is lifted is
\nstill very civilized.<\/p>\n
Its look aside, the engine is a potent one. During our test
\ndrive, it never hesitated, even when pushed very hard. If you
\nkeep the RPM above the 2000 mark, you will certainly enjoy the
\npower boost from the intercooled turbocharger.<\/p>\n
We had no problem overtaking other cars when traveling on the
\nJagorawi toll road, although we wished the automatic transmission
\nwould not change to a lower gear as often as it did when we
\nfloored the throttle.<\/p>\n
Like driving the other tall SUVs, however, you should avoid
\nabrupt lane change -- a dangerous habit that many of our drivers
\nseem to be so reluctant to abandon.<\/p>\n
Despite the powerful engine, fuel consumption is still very
\nacceptable for a vehicle of this size. We did not run a formal
\ntest, as fuel economy depends on too many variables. Suffice to
\nsay, we filled the tank with Rp 60,000 worth of diesel fuel,
\nwhich got us to Bogor, Bukit Sentul and back to Jakarta -- with
\nstill enough fuel in the tank for another day of city trips.<\/p>\n
Everest's safety features include two air bags for the driver
\nand the front passenger, three-point seat belts for every
\npassenger and an Antilock Brake System (ABS). The rear brakes
\nstill use the drums, but we found the car's capability to stop in
\ntime to be very reliable.<\/p>\n
Everest's turning circle is amazingly small for its size, and
\nthe power steering gives sufficient feedback to the driver.<\/p>\n
There is no question about it, Everest is in a class of its
\nown. It is bigger and more spacious than the Isuzu Panther, its
\nclosest competitor. Its comfort is on a par with the Kijang
\nKrista, but it has a lot more going for it.<\/p>\n
At the same time, Everest can also serve as an economical
\nworkhorse, as long as you have a driver to find the parking space
\nfor it while you go about your work.<\/p>",
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