The SUV would be much more desirable now because of the fresh new styling, premium interiors and terrific equipment it offers
The Ford Endeavour is a well known product in India, thanks to the clever introduction of the true blue SUV at the right time in 2003. People appreciated the car for its unique and butch styling, intimidating dimensions and the fact that it felt much more premium than the crude Indian SUVs.
It has helped the American carmaker significantly in brand building. Now, the current generation Endeavour is being phased out and Indians are eagerly waiting to get their hands on the new generation Endeavour, which is known as the Everest in the international markets. Here are the first impressions of the upcoming beast after driving it in Thailand.
It carries forward the same bold and brave appearance with the big dimensions but does so in a more chic manner having all-new styling details. The new Endeavour looks fresh and youthful now with a very proportionate design and the key elements include the shiny chrome grille up front, huge skid plates, brawny wheel arches, 20-inch muscular alloys and the well-rounded rear profile. There is not a single angle from where it looks awkward and it is quite aerodynamic too with a COD of 0.389. This helps in better fuel efficiency as well as NVH.
The interiors have transformed to a new world altogether. The new Endeavour feels super rich on quality and the dual tone dark brown and beige colours used look premium. The layered dashboard comprises of soft touch materials on the top, glossy metal grey finish in the middle that looks fantastic and finally the subtle beige elements all around the cabin.
That along with the dual panoramic roofs make the cabin feel bright and spacious unlike the outgoing model. The big 4-spoke steering wheel looks tempting to hold and has a hi-tech instrument cluster behind it, which is very convenient to use.
It gets an 8-inch touch screen infotainment system with integrated woofer and 10 speakers that churns out impressive acoustics. It comes with the new 2.0 SYNC system which is more intuitive and recognises over 10,000 commands. Ford has included a smart technology of ‘Active Noise Cancellation’ that keeps the cabin quiet.
Some key highlights of the cabin includes dual-zone climate control with individual air vents for all passengers, 30 storage spaces, power folding third row seats, power operated tailgate, Curve Control, Blind Spot Information System’ with Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Departure Warning.
The driver has commanding seating position and all the seats are very supportive having decent legroom in the front two rows while the last row is best suited for kids. Boot space is accommodating and can be increased to 2010 litres of space with the 2nd and 3rd row folded flat.
Powering the new Ford Endeavour is a 3.2-litre 5-cylinder diesel engine (197 BHP and 470 Nm) and a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder diesel (158 BHP and 385 Nm). The 3.2-litre oil burner is quick to respond with minimal turbo lag having linear power delivery. This engine is quite strong across the rev range thanks to the immense power and meaty torque. The 3.2-litre diesel also offers immense off-road capabilities with the 4WD Endeavour having a thrusty low-end punch.
The smaller 2.2-litre diesel engine with the 2WD version is expected to bring in volumes. It has decent grunt for city drivability and is a good highway cruiser offering high fuel efficiency. However, it doesn't offer the surge of torque that is available in plenty with the 3.2-litre motor.
The 6-speed automatic transmission is a smooth shifter and works well in city traffic and also while cruising on the highway but while driving hard you would feel the lag between shifts. The dynamics have gone up to another level, offering a much more confidence inspiring handling and better ride quality.
The suspension is new resulting in a comfortable ride and well controlled body-roll around the curves. For effortless off-roading Ford has equipped the Endeavour with the Terrain Response System with 4 modes for different conditions.
Ford will be launching the new generation Endeavour in the next five months in India. It is a promising product that is expected to give the well established competition a run for their money. The pricing will be increased marginally but the overall package would be much more desirable now because of the fresh new styling, premium interiors and terrific equipment on offer.
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