A big part of Ford and Volkswagen’s new partnership is the co-development of a number of new vehicles, including a compact European Ford EV built on VW’s MEB platform – the same platform that underpins the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, and numerous other planned electric vehicles. News of this new European Ford EV broke last summer, and now, we’ve got a few photos of a prototype undercover but partially exposed.
We are able to see the bottom portion of the new EV, including its aerodynamic wheel covers and lower body claddings, which are covered in tape. However, the tight cover gives us a good look at the shape of the new model, which is somewhat of a hatchback and crossover mashup. As we reported yesterday, the EV is similar in size to the Ford Mustang Mach-E, but features a lower ride height and will bear a design that’s completely unique.
We can also see the EV’s flared wheel arches underneath the cover, along with rear fenders that stick out a bit further for a more muscular appearance. The front end has a rather chiseled appearance, quite the departure from the “egg-like” shape many traditional EVs wear. These design characteristics set the Ford EV apart from the recently-released Volkswagen ID.4, which features softer, more flowing lines.
The European Ford EV is slated to enter production in 2023 at the Ford Cologne Assembly Plant in Germany. Ford recently announced that it will invest $1 billion into the Cologne plant to transform it into the Ford Cologne Electrification Center for the manufacture of electric vehicles.
In addition to the new MEB-based Ford EV, Ford and VW’s partnership will spawn a Ford Ranger-based midsize pickup, a full-size van based on the next-gen Ford Transit, and a small van that will usher in the next-gen Ford Transit Connect.
We’ll have more on Ford’s future European EV soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for non-stop Ford news coverage.
Comments
Design that´s completely unique? It looks like a million car models allready in the market. However, I´ll wait and see until it´s completely uncovered. If it´s an SUV or a crossover, Ford can forget about my money.
If a dedicated EV, could it be a Focus-sized Mustang Mach-C hatchback-like SUV to fight off the VW ID3, Cupra Born, and the upcoming Renault Megane E-Tech SUV?