Ford Endeavour

Ford has launched the new generation of its flagship SUV – the Endeavour. Known for its rugged built and brawny drive, the SUV has had quite a following since its launch back in 2004. Known as the Everest in other markets, it was first showcased as the 'Everest concept' in Sydney, Australia in 2013, and later unveiled at the 2014 Bangkok Motor Show. It is based on a new ladder frame chassis in order to beef up its off-road capabilities.

Exterior

The new Ford Endeavour is based on Ford's Edge design philosophy, while retaining the muscular styling all through. The new car gets an aggressive front end featuring a dominant four-slat chrome grille, but misses out on the Endeavour script like the current one. The body coloured bumpers come with silver inserts that house the new fog lamps. The car looks premium with the aesthetically added chrome.

The changes on the side are evident with the shoulder line tapering towards the rear as against the boxy look of the older car. The chiselled wheel arches house brand new alloy wheels. At the back, the bumper also comes with silver accents and houses the reflectors. The horizontal wrap around tail lamps ditch the old Christmas-tree arrangement.

Interior

The interior of the new Endeavour is inspired by Ford's F-150 pickup truck. The cabin features Ford's SYNC 3 multimedia system with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen display like in the F-150. There is a sporty three-spoke steering wheel and an instrument cluster that consists of an analogue speedometer with two screens on either side. One screen displays the entertainment options like the touchscreen display on the centre console, while the other shows other information like fuel, temperature, mileage, etc. In the four-wheel-drive variant, it also provides very useful off-road information such as angle of roll, pitch, and even the amount the front wheels are turned. The top-of-the-line variant gets leather seats and even a leather-stitched dashboard. The 4X4 trim comes with Hill Descent Control, Hill Launch Assist and an electronically locking rear differential.

Engine and Gearbox

Ford has offered the Endeavour in India with two diesel engine options - a 2.2-litre four-cylinder unit and another powerful 3.2-litre five-cylinder mill. The former powerplant produces 158bhp of power and 385Nm of torque, while the latter develops 197bhp of power and 470Nm of torque. Both engines come mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, but the 2.2-litre engine model also gets a six-speed manual gearbox in a different variant. The 2.2-litre engine is available in 4x2 manual and automatic setups and the 4x4 manual transmission setup. The 3.2-litre engine gets 4x4 standard for the manual and automatic transmissions.

Price and Competition

The new Endeavour takes on the established Toyota Fortuner and the Hyundai Santa Fe in the premium SUV segment. The Endeavour also competes with the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport which comes with only one engine option and the Chevrolet Trailblazer that is available only in automatic.