The model line-up is announced and kit explained … but pricing is still a mystery.

LOCAL market specification of the next Everest has been revealed by Ford, but prospective buyers steeling for having to spend more are kept guessing.

Ford New Zealand said today recommended retails are not likely to be shared for another week.

Extra spend seems highly probable, given the model has, in two of its three editions, gone to a new 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel that carries a premium in the Ranger utility which shares much the same platform and most technology.

In addition to the six-cylinder Sport and Platinum trims, Everest will also avail in a less glam Trend guise where the previous model’s 2.0-litre biturbo diesel inline-four continues.

All variants are in four-wheel-drive, though the sixes have a more advanced on-demand system, and towing capacity across the family is 3500kg braked, when fitted with a factory-specified tow pack. That’s a 400kg increase on the outgoing first-generation line.

Power figures mirror the Ranger, with the base engine producing 154kW/500Nm and the V6 making 184kW/600Nm, but Ford is suggesting they will be more refined in the SUV. Both engines are backed by a 10-speed automatic.

Emissions are estimated 219g/km and 256g/km respectively, so there will be a Clean Car wallop on top of recommended retails.

All variants come with an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, plus a 12-inch infotainment screen. Leather seats, wireless phone charging with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto mirroring and dual-zone climate control also feature.

As with the new Ranger, the steering wheel finally has height and reach adjustment.

All models also come with a full suite of advanced safety tech, including nine airbags (including a centre airbag between the front seats) and crash avoidance systems such as blind zone warning and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Sport adds heated and ventilated power-adjustable seats for the driver and the passenger. Heated seats avail for second row occupants in the Platinum. It also achieves a larger (12-inch) instrument display and a premium 12-speaker Bang and Olufsen audio system.

FordPass enables remote start, vehicle status check and remote lock and unlock functions via a mobile device. It also allows external control for an exterior zone lighting system which lights up the ground around the vehicle, for safer approaches at night, or for camping.