Indian Autos blog

if you can’t see the slideshow above, view all the images directly at the New Ford Endeavour Image Gallery

The much anticipated facelift of the Ford Endeavour was launched today at The Taj Palace New Delhi. The President and MD of Ford India Mr Michael Boneham and the Executive Director Marketing Sales and Service Mr Nigel Wark presided over the event.

Famous Macho Bollywood actor Sunil Shetty was the celebrity endorser who drove in the new Endevour on to the stage. Mr Shetty himself drives the Endeavour for many years now and is a loyal fan he claimed.

After Mr Shetty left, Mr Boneham took centre stage and started explaining the various changes that this new Endevour incorporates. Starting from the all new front grill to the side profile to the phone type rear tail lamps, a lot of effort has gone in getting the Endeavour looking better than the out going model.

The Endeavour is now available in 2 variants – 2.5L 4×2 Manual priced at 15.99lakhs and the bigger 3.0 L 4×4 Auto gearbox prices at 17.99 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi. The New Endeavour is loaded with gadgets like rear mounted camera and screen, touch control for audio and MID which also acts as the GPS, a DVD player with screen for the rear passengers to name a few.

New Ford Endeavour – Power Train

With the best torque in its class, the new Endeavour provides the power and glory of state-of-the art diesel technology. That’s the confidence, premium refinement and outstanding fuel economy of Ford’s advanced DuraTorq TDCi common-rail turbodiesel engine family.

* The New Endeavour is powered by two highly responsive, 16-valve TDCi versions, both of which feature outstanding torque output plus impressive levels of smoothness and refinement:

o The 2.5-liter DuraTorq TDCi common-rail engine, rated at 105 kW( 143PS), which delivers peak torque of 330 Nm @ 1800 rpm

o The 3.0-liter TDCi peaks at 380 Nm of torque at 2500 rpm, and is rated at 115 kW( 156PS) of power output

* The DuraTorq TDCi common-rail engines also have a reputation for excellent fuel economy:

o Equipped with the 2.5-litre TDCi and Manual Transmission, the New Endeavour achieves fuel economy of 13.44 Kilometers per Litre of Diesel and an effective full tank range of 954 kilometers

o The new Endeavour is also equipped with the 3.0-liter Automatic Transmission variant that provides outstanding fuel economy at 11.14 kilometers per Litre of Diesel and offers a range of 791 kilometers on a full tank of fuel

* With TDCi, new Endeavour responds enthusiastically when the light turns green or when the moment is right to overtake.

* Unlike traditional diesels, common-rail systems generate very high fuel system pressures, up to 1,600 bar – and use finely controlled direct injection to deliver precisely metered amounts of diesel fuel to the cylinders. This approach optimizes diesel combustion, ensuring very impressive performance and eliminating the effect of ‘turbo lag.’ The TDCi engines use variable-geometry turbochargers to tailor engine boost levels

* DuraTorq common rail technology also contribute to a much more refined, quiet operation and reduced emissions output. Pilot injections, ultra-small doses of fuel prior to a main injection, help smooth the combustion cycle, making it cleaner burning and far less noisy than the diesels of old generations

New Ford Endeavour – Vehicle Design

A new design look and an array of contemporary features give the New Ford Endeavour fresh appeal to go with its image of dominant toughness giving a more premium look to the SUV

* The New Endeavour sports a sophisticated, all-new front-end design. Its centerpiece is a new chrome grille, which features contemporary chrome detailing

* The grille design features three, finely detailed horizontal bars that seem to float in the grille opening, the middle of which supports a proud Ford oval badge. Designers sculpted the three-bar grille – a key element of Ford design DNA – to convey the kind of sophistication found in luxury goods packaging

* The bars also visually communicate width and confidence, representing the New Endeavour’s confident stance and go-anywhere spirit

* The top edge of the grille features a wide header bar with the New Endeavour embossed boldly into its surface. This bar joins the forward edge of the hood and meets the shape of the New Endeavour headlamp unit

* The headlamps – with fully shaped, impact-resistant transparent surfaces – are each sculpted and detailed with a brow reminiscent of luxurious cut crystal glassware. Chrome bezels to link the grille, hood and the muscular “chamfered” fender shapes seamlessly. Together, these elements are where the New Endeavour’s robustness and contemporary appeal unite so effectively

* The use of fine chrome detailing is echoed in the lower grille of the New Endeavour, which is bisected by a singular horizontal bar. Foglamps, housed in sculpted, silver wing-shaped bezels, flank the lower grille and provide even further design detail to the Endeavour face

* Poised on bold, 16-inch wheels, the New Endeavour has an unmistakably confident stance that communicates this vehicle is ready to go, whether it’s around town, on a great journey or to even greater heights

* The new 16-inch alloy wheel – in a unique six-spoke design – is standard equipment, fitted with 245/70R16 tires.

* The bodywork of New Endeavour’s sides is accentuated by bold wheel arches, which further communicate its stance, on-the-road handling character and off-road capabilities. Visually, the New Endeavour is a vehicle of substance, and its profile features tinted glass from the B-pillar rearward to lend an air of exclusivity

click on the post title to read the rest of it

New Ford Endeavour – Safety Features

* The new 2009 Endeavour is the most capable seven-seat SUV on the road with surprising levels of comfort, safety and refinement

* The new Ford Endeavour is the only vehicle in its segment to offer side air bags, part of an array of active and passive safety features in the vehicle. These 18-litre bags are designed to protect the head and thorax in the event of a side impact

* The new Endeavour is also equipped with dual-stage front air bags for driver and passenger

* The air bags work in conjunction with three-point safety belts with Load limiters, another Ford safety distinction. The front safety belts are equipped with pre-tensioners, which are designed to maximize protection in the event of an impact by cinching the belts taut around the occupants

* The new Endeavour protective body structure features door intrusion beams and reinforced A, B and C-pillars to manage crash forces away from the driver and passengers and maintain the shape and integrity of the passenger safety cell

* A commanding driving position provides excellent visibility for the driver

* Active safety features – designed to help the driver avoid an accident – include the Endeavour braking system, which features Anti-Lock Braking (ABS) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD). A load-sensing proportioning valve is incorporated to tailor stopping capabilities for optimal control, including laden conditions

* The new Ford Endeavour also incorporates Ford’s unique Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS), for improved vehicle security. A uniquely coded computer chip is included on the ignition key to ensure the vehicle will not start without the correct key.

The New Ford Endeavour – Driving Dynamics

* The new Endeavour is the most capable seven-seat premium SUV on the road, combining best-in-class torque, active versatility, superior off-road capability and strength with surprising levels of comfort and refinement

* The all new 4×4 automatic transmission model of the Endeavour features an electronic shift-on-the-fly system for the convenient selection of 2WD or 4WD mode. The vehicle is available with 4×2 five-speed Manual Transmission and 4×4 five-speed Automatic transmission

* The new Ford Endeavour is powered with 2.5L and 3.0L Common rail Diesel (TDCi) power trains, featuring the outstanding responsiveness of Ford’s renowned DuraTorq TDCi common-rail diesel engine family

* The 2.5-liter Duratorq TDCi engine, rated at 105 kW (143PS), which delivers peak torque of 330 Nm at just 1800rpm

* The 3.0-liter TDCi peaks at 380 Nm of torque at 2500 rpm, and is rated at 115 kW (156PS) of power output

* With plenty of low-end ‘grunt’, the TDCi engine range makes the New Endeavour ideal for overtaking on a highway or tackling the tough off-road terrain. The DuraTorq TDCi pair makes Endeavour a delight to drive in any condition

* The automatic transmission has been carefully calibrated to match the torque output of the TDCi engines with excellent shift quality and refinement. Manual transmission models incorporate the use of a dual-mass flywheel and triple-cone synchronizers for first and second gears to ensure smooth, refined operation

* The new Endeavour is equipped with a torque-sensing limited slip differential that apportions torque between the left and right drive wheels to maintain optimum torque balance. This feature is designed for better driveability and handling, particularly in high-speed cornering

* With a confidently wide-track stance the new Endeavour is always ready to test the toughest terrain. It is well known for its superior ground clearance and drivability on rough surfaces. Its vehicle approach angle (32 degrees) and departure angle (26 degrees) are designed for optimal off-road clearance

* The new Endeavour’s tough chassis and confident stance – with standard 16-inch wheels give it the credentials to handle rough roads or deal with tough conditions

We’re a little late, but we promise to make up for this delay with a lot of high quality images and details discussed at the press conference once our man Madhok, who has left the launch venue in Delhi, finds a stable internet connection.

For now – here’s the first press release that talks about the general aspects of the vehicle -

Prices -

- Rs. 17, 99, 000 for the 3.0L 4X4 automatic transmission (Ex-Showroom, New Delhi).

- Rs. 15, 99, 000 for the 2.5L 4X2 manual transmission variant (Ex-Showroom, New Delhi).

ALL NEW 2009 ford endeavour adds contemporary design & Technology touches to its proven suv capability
All new 5-speed automatic transmission introduced in India with shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive, touch-enabled SATNAV system with reverse parking camera

New Delhi, September 9, 2009 – Ford India today launched the new design look Endeavour 3.0L with 5-speed automatic transmission and an array of contemporary features that give the new Ford Endeavour fresh appeal to go with its image of dominant toughness. Endeavour is the most capable seven-seat SUV on the road, combining best-in-class torque, active versatility, superior off-road capability and surprising levels of comfort and refinement.

The new Ford Endeavour pioneers a suite of new design elements, led by a new-look front design with a classy multi-bar chrome grille and chrome-accented lower grille combining with sleek, wraparound headlamps to create a distinctive signature style. Under its slick new shape are the unrivalled toughness and proven capability that have made Ford Endeavour a leading choice among premium SUV buyers in India.

click through to read the full press release

If you are not able to view the slideshow above, view the images directly at the new Ford Endeavour Image Gallery

If you don’t know, we are covering the new Ford Endeavour launch that happens in Delhi in a few hours time. We will be bringing you high quality images, plenty of information/updates and prices from the event hall, but before that, one of our followers believed it was not so nice to keep our visitors waiting, and sent us images of the Endy on Indian soil.

We have already provided you with images after the new Ford Endeavour launch in Vietnam back in May month.

Stay tuned, as more information will flow from the time our man lands in Delhi.

The Tata Indica Vista EV (Electric Vehicle) did not get the required support from the British government for a local assembly line, eventually forcing Tata to look elsewhere for the required sum. But in Norway, things have looked brighter and the government has granted permission to set up a plant that will assemble Indica Vista EV SKDs brought from India.

The Indica Vista EV runs on lithium-ion battery packs and will become India’s second EV to be exported – the first car was the Reva or G-Wiz known internationally.

The Indica Vista EV offers massive cabin space and is perkier than the diesel and petrol counterparts. It has a top speed of 151kmph and a offers 190Nm of torque.

The Indica Vista EV will be produced in association with Miljo Grenland / Innovasjon, Norway in which Tata Motors’ UK subsidiary, Tata Motors European Technical Centre plc, holds 70 per cent stake.