Although the Raptor is not happening right now, a new trademark suggests that an Everest Timberline might be in the works.
People began to wonder if there would be a spicy Raptor flavor after Ford revealed the third generation Everest. Blue Oval representatives said that they don’t have plans to do so at the moment, but could reconsider if there is enough demand. The Dearborn-based company may still add the Raptor to its lineup by offering a reduced version.
Just four days before the unveiling of the new Everest, Ford filed a trademark for the word “Timberline”, with IP Australia. If the name doesn’t sound familiar, it was first used last year as an suffix to the Explorer and Expedition. Mike Levine, Ford North America Product Communications Manager, announced that there would be a line of Timberline-badged SUVs in a Tweet from May 2021.
The Ranger-based SUV will not be coming to the United States. However, Ford is still going to put the Timberline badge on the Everest. To improve ground clearance, both the Explorer and Expedition models have a higher suspension. The first has a Torsen limited slip differential and a single-speed transfer box, while the second has a ControlTrac LSD and a two-speed unit.
While these Timberline versions may not be Raptors, they offer more off-road performance than the lower trim levels. Since Ford Australia filed the trademark for “Vehicles and their parts, and accessories”, the Everest Timberline could be made Down Under.
A spokesperson for Ford’s local division declined to confirm plans for the Everest Timberline when CarSales was contacted by an Australian magazine . Since it is not necessary to indicate new branding, badging, or product plans, the trademark filing was deemed “normal course business”.
Although it would not be difficult to make the SUV more off-road-oriented, the company is keeping its distance.