| Two generations after and Ford has brought about yet another sea change in the Endeavour. This time around there isn’t a new engine but significantly, Ford has introduced an automatic gearbox. Also keeping in mind the number of years the Endeavour has been in service here in India and abroad, it has also been given a comprehensive face-lift. The timing may seem a bit awkward, with the changes coming in the wake of the new Toyota Fortuner being launched. But the change and launch had happened several months ago when I first drove the new Endeavour in the Philippines. Here then is the relevant dope on just how good or bad the new automatic Endeavour is. DESIGN The Endeavour’s face-lift is just that - a face-lift. Not much else has changed apart from the comprehensively restyled front end. The headlamps are now curvier and wrap around the face and on to the fender. Unlike the brutal facia of the last generation SUV, these curved lamps soften the face and give it a contemporary look. Further style revisions extend to the hood, the grille, the front bumper and the wing mirrors. The hood now follows the contours of the headlamps and the big bulge that previously extended from the windshield to the grille now stops a few inches short of the grille. It has also grown larger giving it a more pronounced though blunt look that adds muscle to the profile. Further ahead of the hood, the front grille has also undergone a sea change. The most obvious is that the grille is no longer a rectangular unit with straight cut edges; instead it tapers toward the bottom. Three horizontal slats are decked on both top and below the three slats housing the Ford logo by wider chrome strips, with Endeavour etched across the top strip. The bumper too is softer with round edges and an inverted goatee with fog lamps on either side add to the toned down yet sporty personality. The wing mirrors too are a new design, curvier and incorporating turn indicators. They also come in a chrome overlay rather than the body coloured style seen previously. The changes may seem minor but they make for a remarkable head turning effect. So Ford has achieved what it set out do in the first place, refresh the product without having to incur significant development costs while making it look neater, simpler and contemporary as well. That also means no significant costs will filter down to the consumer. Inside, little has changed though you will notice the neat wood inserts that lend a sophisticated look and feel. You also get an impressive feature list which includes satellite navigation, aluminium pedals, overhead LCD screen and three-row seating with air-conditioning for all three rows. |
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| Ford Endeavour 3.0L SUV |
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