Ford tests Middle East vehicles ahead of Everest V6 launch
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Ford’s Dubai-based Product Development team evaluates vehicles in regional heat, sand and terrain, with the 2026 Ford Everest V6 set to join the Middle East line-up in November.
Ford Motor Company is carrying out regional vehicle testing across the Middle East as it prepares for the arrival of the 2026 Ford Everest V6. Led by Ford’s Dubai-based Product Development team, the work evaluates vehicles in real-world Middle East driving conditions, including high temperatures, direct sunlight, desert sand, mountain roads, wadis, highways and long-distance driving. The team works with Ford’s global Product Development organisation, using local testing and customer feedback to support vehicle-development decisions. Ravi Ravichandran, President of Ford Middle East and North Africa, said Middle East customers expect “capability, power, confidence and durability,” adding that regional testing helps engineers assess vehicles in conditions that reflect how customers actually use them.
Testing for heat, sand and terrain
Ford’s regional testing programme covers several areas relevant to UAE and Middle East driving conditions.
Cooling systems, powertrain temperatures and air-conditioning performance are evaluated in extreme heat and demanding real-world environments. Interior and exterior materials, including upholstery, trim and seals, are assessed for durability against heat, UV exposure and dust.
Vehicles are also tested across desert sand, rocky tracks, wadis and mountain roads to evaluate sealing, suspension, drivetrain performance and overall off-road capability. For electrified models, testing includes battery thermal management and charging performance in high-temperature conditions. Ford says the regional testing programme complements its laboratory and global engineering work by providing deeper insight into how Middle Eastern climate, terrain and driving patterns affect vehicle systems.
Everest V6 due in November
The 2026 Ford Everest V6 is scheduled to join the Middle East SUV line-up in November 2026.
It will be powered by a 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 producing 310 hp and 500 Nm, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The 2026 Everest range will include Active, Sport, Platinum and the new Tremor, covering everyday driving, family use and off-road performance in the UAE and wider region.
Additional real-world validation
Ford has also launched its MENA In-Market Voice of Customer Fleet Validation Program, with the Everest V6 becoming the first vehicle included.
The programme operates later in the launch process than Product Development testing. While Product Development uses prototypes and controlled environments to validate engineering earlier in development, the new programme uses production-ready vehicles in real-world Middle East conditions before customer deliveries. Vehicles are placed with drivers across the region to assess their performance in different climates, terrains and driving patterns.
If Ford’s Quality team identifies a potential issue, the feedback is passed to the relevant engineering teams while production is ongoing. Ford says this allows engineers to investigate and, where necessary, consider changes to components, calibration or the build process. Ravichandran said the programme adds another layer of validation, providing practical feedback ahead of launch. Ford says the approach is intended to identify potential issues before customer delivery and support launch readiness, durability and long-term reliability in the Middle East market.
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