Ford India is currently riding high on the success of the Ecosport. But its big SUV Endeavour has not been able to hold its own against rivals like the Toyota Fortuner. Still, Ford isn't giving up on large SUVs. This is why the American company plans to bring the new Endy here towards the end of 2015.
Based on the Ranger pick-up, like the previous versions, Ford, however, plans to assemble the new model in India before it goes on sale here. Ford may even localise a lot of the parts to further reduce prices. This will help make the Ford more competitive with the other SUVs in the Rs 20-25 lakh space. And it may be exported from India too.
Based closely on the new Everest Concept, which looks both chunky and modern at the same time, the new Endeavour's face is dominated by a bold, chrome-heavy, EcoSport-like trapezoidal grille. There are big wheel arches, chunky chrome-capped wing mirrors, and a faux vent just behind the front wheel arch. Almost all these details will make it onto the production SUV. What's interesting is that the look of the SUV appears to be wider and more planted than the current Ford Endeavour's tall, boxy shape.
In production form, the new Ford Endeavour will take on the likes of the Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport when it comes to India. It will continue to use a body on the ladder frame chassis with a seven-seat layout, and is expected to be powered by 2.2-litre and 3.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engines, with two- or four-wheel-drive, and the option of manual and automatic gearboxes.
The new insides will be similar to those of the Ranger too. Ford has used a chunky four spoke steering wheel, that looks similar to that on the new Ford EcoSport. The new model should come with Ford's sync system, and the Endeavour will come in both two- and four-wheel drive versions as well, the latter activated by a button on the dash.
The Endeavour will take on the likes of Toyota Fortuner, Hyundai Santa Fe and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.