IAB Report - India-bound 2015 Ford Endeavour (Everest) revealed

13/11/2014 - 15:01 Ford Endeavour, Ford Everest, Ford Anjan Ravi

Goes on sale next year in India.

Ford has revealed the production version of the next generation 2015 Ford Everest (2015 Ford Endeavour for India) just moments ago. The Blue Oval confirms in its press release that the 7-seat SUV will go on sale next year, in markets like China, Australia, New Zealand, India, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa.

2015 Ford Endeavour front quarter — The new Endeavour looks identical to the concept Everest that was showcased.

The car looks identical to the Everest concept shown in Sydney last year, save for the wheels which are more realistically designed. The company hasn't released the dimensions of the car yet. However, the manufacturer confirms that the SUV rides on a coil spring setup at the front and rear, and a Watt’s linkage on the rear axle.

The new Endeavour was designed and developed by Ford’s Asia Pacific design and product development teams. Depending on the market, Ford will offer the SUV either as a rear-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive model.

Ford has put in a lot more work in the off-road capabilities of the SUV. The new Endeavour gets a new four-wheel drive system with an active transfer case with Torque on Demand and a Terrain Management System. Ford claims a ground clearance of 225 mm and water-wading capability of 800 mm. The approach angle is 29-degrees, the ramp-over is 21-degrees, and the departure angle is 25 degrees.

2015 Ford Endeavour rear — The Endeavour is now more off-road friendly with a wading depth of 800 mm.

The Terrain Management System features four settings — Normal, Snow/Gravel/Grass, Sand and Rock. It changes the vehicle’s throttle and transmission response and adjusts the traction control accordingly to the terrain.

Inside, the new Endeavour's cabin is clearly a step up from the current model. More than the design, Ford talks about its SYNC 2 multimedia system with voice command, automatic climate control and the new 8-inch touchscreen system with color-coded corners. Ford also says claims a 2,010 liter boot space with the second and third row seats folded.

At the time of launch, the SUV will be available with a 3.2-liter 5-cylinder diesel engine, a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel and a 2.0-liter twin-scroll EcoBoost petrol. India is likely to get only the diesel engines.

2015 Ford Endeavour interior — The cabin is all new, and gets modern features like Ford's SYNC 2 for example.

The new Ford Everest/Endeavour will be manufactured at AutoAlliance Thailand in Rayong, Thailand, for ASEAN markets, confirms Ford. For China, it will be made at the JMC Xiaolan Plant in Nanchang, China.

Also read: Review - 2014 Ford Fiesta Facelift

Further details are available in the press release below.

Competitors: Isuzu MU-7, Toyota Fortuner, Ssangyong Rexton, Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda CR-V
Expected Price: INR 20-25 lakhs, ex-Showroom
Launch date in India: Mid- to late-2015