CARS OF THE WORLD

Ford Equator Sport 2023.

The Ford Equator Sport crossover has been disguised as a new Territory and has changed its engine.

Originally announced as an exclusive for China, the parkcar has started to be delivered to other countries.

Thus, outside of the industrial homeland it is positioned as absolutely other model.

In China, this Ford crossover debuted last year: there it bears the name Equator Sport, the model is a shortened five-seat version of the «just» Equator.

Both parkettes are produced locally at Ford’s joint venture with JMC (Jiangling Motors Corporation), and both were originally positioned as SUVs created specifically for China.

But now the brand has decided to deliver a «short» Equator Sport in other countries, however, in other markets, the parket car is promoted as a second-generation: this cross was announced in summer in Vietnam, but the debut market for it was Mexico, and the previous generation model was not presented there.

Well, let’s remind that the «first» Ford Territory in 2018 (it has nothing to do with the Australian model with the same name, which was made in 2004-2016), it is based on the «Chinese» JMC Yusheng S330, and it was also firstly called the Chinese exclusive.

Then, however, the Ford Territory went global: the crossover appeared in many countries in Southeast Asia and South America.

In terms of design, the new export crossover is no different from the original Equator Sport, the peculiarities of the exterior are the two-story headlights and the radiator grille with «scales.»

At the same time Mexican «second» for some reason is 5 mm shorter than the model for China: its length is 4625 mm.

Other dimensions are the same (width — 1935 mm, height — 1706 mm, wheelbase — 2726 mm).

For comparison, the dimensions of the outgoing Ford Territory: 4580/1936/1674 mm, distance between axles — 2716 mm.

Inside — a large display, that is combined virtual «dashboard» (diagonal 7 or 12 inches) and multimedia touchscreen (12-inch by default).

Instead of the traditional lever of the box was installed a puck.

In China, Ford Equator Sport is offered with petrol «turbo four» 1.5 EcoBoost rated at 170 hp.

Mexico’s Ford Territory received turbo 1.8 EcoBoost, which develops 187 hp.

Transmission is the same for both — seven-speed «robot» with two clutches. Drive is only front in any case.

Mexicans are offered a new crossover in three complete sets. Basic Ford Territory Ambiente has 18-inch wheels, LED optics, cloth upholstery, six airbags, regular air conditioning, cruise control, and a system of «blind» zones monitoring.

The Trend version gets leather interior, dual-zone climate control, rearview camera and panoramic sunroof.

The top version Titanium has 19-inch disks, adaptive cruise, auto brake and lane-keeping systems, wireless charging for smartphone.

In Mexico, they’re asking $29,600 to $36,000 for the new parkettes. Later, the second-generation Ford Territory will reach other markets as well.