Fresh patent images filed Down Under suggest Ford is preparing to launch an unprecedented Wildtrak version of its latest-generation Everest. Let’s take a closer look…

While Ford has already hinted its new Everest won’t be giventhe full-fat Raptor treatment, fresh patent images filed in Australia suggest the bakkie-based SUV will receive a new Wildtrak trim level instead.

As uncovered by the studious folks over at Drive, the patent images recently filed with Australia’s intellectual property office show the Everest wearing a suspiciously similar front facia to the Wildtrak version of the new Ranger.

The pictured version of the ladder-frame SUV furthermore upgrades to fresh alloy wheels, while also sporting 360-degree camera lenses fitted to the bottom of its side-mirror caps (suggesting the rumoured Wildtrak will be positioned right at the summit of the new Everest range, according to Drive).

Of course, when the publication approached Ford Australia for comment, the Blue Oval automaker would not confirm or deny plans to extend the Wildtrak badge – previously reserved for high-end versions of the Ranger – to the seven-seater SUV.

“Ford submits design applications for various brand assets as a normal course of business, but they aren’t necessarily an indication of new branding, badging or product plans,” the Dearborn-based firm said.

If the Everest Wildtrak were to get the go-ahead, we’d think Ford’s 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 unit would be the right choice of engine, offering a brawny 184 kW and 600 Nm through a 10-speed automatic transmission. Then, just like the Ranger Wildtrak, such a model’s cabin would surely gain extra leather (with contrast stitching), some added standard kit and the obligatory smattering of Wildtrak logos.

Should Ford choose to give the rumoured Everest Wildtrak anoff-road flavour (and perhaps even the Wildtrak X badge), other likely standard features would include the brand’spermanent four-wheel drive system, a locking rear differential and underbody protection. For now, though, we’ll just have to wait to see whether this model materialises…

Here’s the Wildtrak version of the new Ford Ranger bakkie…