2021 Ford Evos revealed for China, Australian launch unlikely

The 2021 Ford Evos has been unveiled at the Shanghai motor show – though don't expect to see it reach Australia in the near future.

The spiritual successor to the recently-axed Mondeo mid-size car, the Evos sees Ford morph its long-running mid-sizer into a high-riding wagon-turned-liftback in the same vein as the recently-unveiled Citroen C5 X and electric Polestar 2.

Up front, an octagonal grille is flanked along its upper edge by dual-tier LED headlights connected by an LED daytime-running light strip, while 20-inch alloy wheels, gloss black wheel-arch cladding and pronounced rear haunches feature along the side.

A full-width tail-light bar with C-shaped signatures on each end features at the rear, while the 1st Edition variant pictured in Ford's initial images scores a black roof and orange accents on the front grille, side skirts and brake calipers.

Inside, the dashboard is dominated by a near-full-width, 1.1-metre horizontal panel, comprising a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster placed alongside a 27-inch 4K touchscreen running a new, China-specific version of Ford's Sync infotainment system, dubbed 'Sync+ 2.0'.

The system incorporates artificial intelligence technologies from Chinese tech giant Baidu, with a Ford-designed Virtual Personal Assistant, split-screen functionality for the driver and passenger, over-the-air updates and an array of on-demand subscription services for a variety of vehicle software functions.

A Bang & Olufsen sound system and ambient LED lighting also feature inside the cabin, with the profiles and settings of each able to be configured via a selection of individual passenger profiles.

Level Two semi-autonomous driver-assistance technology is available under the BlueCruise banner, allowing the Evos to accelerate, brake and centre itself within its lane on selected mapped sections of Chinese divided highways, branded as 'Hands-Free Blue Zones'.

Vehicle-to-X technology is also fitted, enabling compatible vehicles to communicate with one another, transmitting information on upcoming road hazards and traffic jams.

What powers the Chinese-market Ford Evos isn't clear, however the 'Engine Start/Stop' button confirms drive is derived in some form from a combustion engine.

Reports from 2020 suggested a European-market version of the vehicle could be powered by a hybrid drivetrain, potentially the 2.5-litre 'self-charging' system employed in the new-generation Escape – though Ford has yet to confirm any details.

The 2021 Ford Evos will launch in China in the coming months.

It remains to be seen whether the Evos will be offered in other markets as despite being developed by Ford's global engineering team – with spy shots of the vehicle snapped in the US – launches in Europe and the US yet to be confirmed.

Regarding an Australian arrival, a Ford Australia spokesperson confirmed the brand has "no news to share" on a local launch.

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MORE: Our 2021 Shanghai motor show coverage