Every example of the V6 flagship coming here this year is effectively accounted for.

KIWI interest in the sports utility counterpart to the latest Ford Ranger is running hot and the same V6 turbodiesel fervour is evident.

Ford New Zealand has so far taken 370 firm orders, with a significant count being for the $84,990 Platinum flagship that runs with the new-to-type 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre turbodiesel.

Demand for that derivative is such that availability for all of 2022 is basically accounted for.

An early build example of the Platinum was on display at the Ranger ute’s media launch in Hawke’s Bay last week – though it was kept locked and was ruled unavailable to drive.

Launch in September or October is still anticipated and by then the first shipment could well be entirely spoken for, going by comment from Ford New Zealand managing director Simon Rutherford.

“We’ve had a lot of pre-order leads on Everest and taken quite a few on-line orders … we’ve so far taken 370 firm orders.

“What we have seen already within that (count) is a similar phenomena that we have seen on Ranger (Wildtrak) where our Platinum mix is already sold out for the year.”

As with the Ranger, the seven-seater wagon also avails with a 2.0-litre biturbo four-cylinder diesel engine with 154kW/500Nm, restricted to the Trend spec, costing $71,990. Sitting between Trend and Platinum is a V6 Sport, for $79,490.

As much as the lesser models are being dusted at the moment, but Rutherford doesn’t expect this to be the case once all three arrive.

“More than 50 percent of the orders are for Platinum … but what we anticipate is, when people stop to see the value in the entry-level model, which is at a great price point, and they see it on the road then things will rebalance.”

Unlike the Ranger, Everest is only available with a full-time on-demand four-wheel drive system with a two-speed electromechanical transfer case. The Ranger with the biturbo engine is only available with a part-time four-wheel drive system.

As in Ranger V6 the system has a 4A mode which continuously distributes power between the front and rear axles; essentially, it behaves like an all-wheel drive car.

There’s also an electronic locking rear differential that can be activated through the infotainment touchscreen and an ‘e-shifter’ gear selector for the 10-speed automatic instead of a traditional mechanical gear selector.

It also has selectable drive modes, an available integrated trailer braking controller, more interior technology, and a plug-in hybrid-ready architecture – though there’s no PHEV option as yet.

One cited attraction of the V6 in this format is the engine’s impressive torque. It creates 170Nm more than the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, 150Nm more than the Isuzu M-UX and 100Nm more than the Toyota Fortuner.

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

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.

All new Ford Everest variants come with an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, plus the 12-inch infotainment screen that’s the larger of two provided for Ranger, depending on grade. 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.

Rutherford’s comment about Everest came on the same day the plant in Thailand released images of the new model going down the assembly line and also being readied for shipment.

Ford has pumped a claimed $1.39 billion into the manufacturing operations at the factory. The investment is billed as Ford’s biggest in the region in its 25-year history there.