Ford India is on a roll with the launch of Figo Aspire compact sedan. Since it has been priced aptly and is loaded with the best in class features, this brand new offering is doing wonders for the brand. Riding the higher momentum further, Ford will launch the new generation Endeavour in India and from the looks of it; the American car maker will drive down its flagship SUV to the domestic market by early 2016.
There are many SUVs in the Rs 25 Lakh+ space but the new Ford Endeavour will primarily rival the upcoming new age Toyota Fortuner. While the exterior design works in favor of Ford Endeavour as it gets a complete transformation from its earlier iteration. The front profile gets a more pronounced and modern look similar to other Ford cars sold in the international markets. The muscularly flared wheel arches with a tall roofline and a solid side profile will give it the essential SUV look. Its Japanese rival, the 2016 Toyota Fortuner, won’t be too behind. It gets a sharp edgy profile with razor shaped headlights. To the side, the muscular contours will get a new shape with an asymmetric window line rising post the C-Pillar. To the rear, it gets slimmer tail lights with a uniform rear look.
Inside the Ford Endeavour, the interiors too have got a serious makeover making it look premium and upmarket. It draws inspiration from the new F105 and will have refreshed two-tone feel feel. The infotaiment system will come equipped with SYNC2, which is an upgrade from the conventional SYNC unit. It will also have features like ABS and Emergency Assist as standard on the top end variant. The new Toyota Fortuner too gets updated interiors with a larger touchscreen unit. The chunkier steering wheel gets a leather wrap and the dashboard is done in colours of ebony and burgundy. A lot of inspiration on the interiors has been taken from Toyota Hilux, to make it feel more of a premium sedan than a purpose built SUV.
Ford has worked extensively on the dynamics of the Endeavour reducing its heavy drive feel. Thanks to a new ladder frame chassis, the new Endeavour drives way better than the earlier generation and also has improved dynamics. Also, it makes use of the latest terrain response system, which adjusts traction according to the type of terrain. It will make use of 148 Bhp 2.2-litre engine and a 197 Bhp making 3.2-litre engine, which will replace the existing setup. Even the new Toyota Fortuner is expected to get a new engine; it will be one between the 2.4-litre engine and the 2.8-litre engine. The former would make a power output of 150 bhp and have a torque rating of 343 Nm while the latter has a potential to make 177 bhp of power and 420 Nm of torque. We expect Ford to price the new Endeavour between Rs. 27 Lakh to Rs. 31 Lakh while the Toyota Fortuner will be placed between Rs. 24 Lakh - Rs. 29 Lakh.
