The most powerful version of the Ford Everest yet has gone on sale overseas, with the automaker packing a more potent twin-turbo V6 into its off-road-focused Tremor model to create a pseudo Everest Raptor.
The beefier Everest Tremor 4×4 uses a 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine – from a family of engines first used in the F-150 – producing 260kW and 500Nm, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
That’s not quite as powerful as the 292kW Ranger Raptor currently in showrooms, but it matches its 500Nm torque output.
The current Everest Tremor 4×4 sold in Australia uses a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 producing 184kW and 600Nm, also matched to a 10-speed automatic.
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The combination of the Tremor 4×4 model grade – which brings an off-road focus, including all-terrain tyres and Bilstein suspension – with the more powerful engine makes it the closest thing yet to a bona fide Everest Raptor.
While announced by Ford Middle East and North Africa, the automaker described the 2.7-litre Everest as a “Middle East exclusive” in a statement.
Ford Australia has not confirmed the more powerful Tremor for local showrooms and has previously denied suggestions of an Everest Raptor since the first Ranger Raptor was introduced in 2018.
The Ranger and Everest use the same ladder-chassis underpinnings and core components, including some engines and transmissions; however, the hero Raptor name has not made its way to the popular SUV.
The two vehicles differ in suspension layouts and four-wheel drive systems, but the step has been suggested repeatedly by customers and the media.
The Raptor name is used on the F-150, Ranger and Bronco, as well as Ford’s rally-raid racer, and is set to become an off-road performance vehicle sub-brand, according to Ford CEO Jim Farley.
When the current-generation Everest was launched, Ford chief engineer Ian Foston told CarExpert the business case for a Raptor version was not there.
“Yeah, you know, we certainly spoke to… and especially when you talk about, you know, Everest owners’ clubs, for example, and people who use Everest in probably a more extreme way than perhaps a normal customer,” Mr Foston said.
“A few of them have said, ‘Oh, wouldn’t it be awesome to do an Everest Raptor?’. But in reality, I would say that we haven’t had a massive calling for it [outside of those few people]. There have been a few people asking about it [who weren’t Ford’s extreme Everest customers].”