India-bound 2016 Ford Endeavour spotted with manual gearbox - China

Reveals the look of the base variant.

A Chinese LHD specification of the next generation Ford Everest (Ford Endeavour) has been spotted in China, wrapped in camouflage and body cladding. The Everest for China is expected to launch in May 2015, and will be manufactured by the JMC-Ford joint venture.

Judging by the new spyshots, the prototype in question is of a lower variant, as it features a matte silver hexagonal three-slat grille and a conventional headlamp with black plastic housing the lens and indicators, dissimilar to the chrome grille and projector headlamps showcased on the Guangzhou Auto Show demo car.

The base-spec Endeavour features an all-black dashboard that houses a smaller non-touchscreen infotainment display. The steering wheel as well as the dashboard trim are in black, and it features a manual transmission, and the much-talked-about Terrain Management System dial is not to be found.

Ford has confirmed than an engine lineup formed by a 2.2-liter four-cylinder TDCi engine, a 3.2-liter five-cylinder TDCi engine and a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine will be offered for the Endeavour.

A leaked document revealed that the 2.2-liter unit produces 147.5 bhp and 385 Nm of torque, the 3.2-liter develops 197 bhp and 470 Nm of torque, and the petrol engine outputs 234 bhp and 360 Nm of torque. The latter can be spec'd with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.

The 2016 Ford Endeavour will be launched this year in India, along with the Ford Figo hatchback and compact sedan. It will be assembled at Ford's plant in Chennai, from CKD kits manufactured in Thailand.

Competitors: Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda CR-V, Isuzu MU-7, Toyota Fortuner, Ssangyong Rexton
Expected Price: INR 20-25 lakhs, ex-Showroom
Launch date in India: December 2015 (as per a media report)

[Source: auto.ifeng]