Getting Sense of 2015 Ford Endeavour From Thailand's New Everest SUV

Ford India plans to bring in the new third-generation Endeavour premium SUV by the end of this year to replace the existing one. The SUV, known as Everest in Thailand and in few other markets, is an Asia-Pacific market specific model and is a key model to Ford's UV business in the region.

The 2015 Bangkok Motor Show started yesterday, and witnessed the launch of the new 2015 Ford Everest. The Everest/ Endeavour is based on the Ford Ranger (T6) pick-up platform and features new exterior and interiors with a host of off-roading and safety features. Come on, lets grasp a sense of what out upcoming Ford Endeavour is up to!

The story of the new next-gen Endeavour started with the Ford Everest Concept that was previewed in 2013. Ford later confirmed the car's production plans and started testing the cars. The car owes much of its built with the Ford Ranger (T6) pickup, that is currently sold in many markets, the important being Australia, Thailand and China. The new SUV features Ford’s Kinetic Design that hints at family design language mimicking the new EcoSport, Kuga/Escape, and the next-generation Edge SUV, and includes signature LED daytime running lights in the front.

IMAGE GALLERY: 2016 Ford Endeavour Titanium (Indian-spec)

The new Everest, that now goes on sale in Thailand with prices starting from 1,269,000 Baht (INR 24.27 lakhs), is packed with a plethora of features such as Terrain Management System, SYNC 2 car connectivity, hands-free active Park Assist, Curve Control and Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, along with power-fold third-row seating and powered lift gate at rear. The top-end 3.2 Titanium Plus+ 4×4 A/T touches a whooping price of INR 30.58 lakhs. Thailand is basically SUV/ VU heaven market, which every automaker offering one across every segments and price ranges.

The rugged SUV is still based on the old-school ladder-frame construction, with structure made of boron steel for better torsional strength. The Everest is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants. The 4WD system boasts an active transfer case with torque on Demand. Ground clearance is pegged at 225 mm and water-wading ability at 800 mm maximum. The SUV features coil spring suspension at front and rear axles, with an addition of Watt’s linkage on the rear axle. Somehow gone is the archaic leaf-spring suspension, that made the out-going Endeavour a Force Traveller!!

Also Read: Ford Endeavour: A Farmer's Tool

Ford offers two engine and transmissions options for customers to select in Thailand– a 3.2-liter Duratorq 5-cylinder TDCi diesel unit making 147 kW of power and 470 Nm of torque, and a smaller 2.2-liter Duratorq 4-cylinder TDCi diesel, turning out 118 kW of power and 385 Nm of torque. The engines are paired either to a six-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual transmissions.

Ford’s terrain management system comes with four preset settings – Normal, Snow/Gravel/Grass, Sand and Rock. Selecting which the system alters vehicle’s throttle response, transmission, 4WD configuration and car's traction for better off-roading. Drivers can still manually lock the transfer case in low-range 4WD for better control over the tarmac. The Thai-spec Everest is also equipped with seven airbags, roll stability control and an ESP.

The SYNC 2, Ford’s latest in-car connectivity application, takes voice commands from the occpants for the audio system, climate control and mobile device connectivity functions. The system is integrated to an 8-inch touchscreen with GPS navigation and 10-speaker sound system.

Other features includes a dual-panel moon roof, multiple power outlets, fold-flat second row, power-fold third-row seat, and an electric lift gate. Ford also employs active noise cancellation technology that assess the noise levels inside the cabin and generates opposing sound waves to reduce road noise inside the cabin.

The Ford Everest is produced in Thailand since 2003 and is quite successful than in the Indian market. The company usually offers more premium features there than what we get here in India. So, it is less likely that the car will be offered with the same specs and pricing in India. The new Everest will be manufactured at the company’s joint-facility (with Mazda) in Rayong, Thailand. Ford India will import CDK kits from this facility and assemble at its Chennai plant. The new Endy is worth a wait, let's watch how it is offered in India.

IMAGE GALLERY: 2016 Ford Endeavour Titanium (Indian-spec)

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