Ford will launch the next generation Everest early next year, and the SUV is expected to arrive in Indian shores sometime in 2015. Known as the Ford Endeavour in India (as the Everest name is trademarked by Maruti Suzuki), Shoeb's rendering of the SUV is based on the Everest Concept shown in Sydney last year and at the Bangkok Motor Show this year.
A Ford insider revealed that the production Everest will look largely unchanged compared to the concept, and keeping this in mind, Shoeb has merely changed the wheels, bumpers and headlights of the car. There have also been spyshots of the production Endeavour through which Shoeb has verified this. Where the current model looks boxy and gargantuan, the new Endeavour hides its bulk very well thanks to bold design lines.
Inside, the Endeavour is reported to receive a more upmarket interior along with an 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system. The SUV will benefit from a new terrain management system and Ford's new SYNC and AppLink system which was introduced in India last month on the new Fiesta.
Powertrain options are expected to come off the current model. The 2.5-liter and 3.0-liter diesel engines would continue doing duty, though the transmissions would be upgraded from 5-speed to 6-speed units (AT and MT). Ford will also reportedly give the car a coil sprung setup for the rear replacing the truck-like dated leaf springs on the current model.
The 2016 Endeavour, like its predecessor, will be assembled at Ford's Chennai plant from Thai-made CKD kits. Ford has already confirmed production of the new Everest in Thailand and China.
Competitors: Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Fortuner, Chevrolet Captiva, Ssangyong Rexton, Isuzu MU-7
Expected Price: INR 20-25 lakhs, ex-Showroom
