Upcoming Ford Endeavour will look like Everest concept

The covers have just come off the Ford Everest concept, a vehicle that will soon be showcased to the world. So why are we excited? The Ford Endeavour sold in India is also badged as the Ford Everest, which in turn is based on the Ford Ranger pick-up. Get the connection? Right, put simply the new Ford Endeavour that will come to India next year will be based on the Ford Everest concept.

Looking at the photos that have emerged on the Internet of the latest Ford Everest concept, it is clear that the new Ford Endeavour will be a vehicle that has the potential to challenge the Toyota Fortuner quite effectively. Gone are the boxy, old-school looks and instead in comes a good-looking SUV that looks in line with Ford’s latest design sensibilities. Also see: Ford Endeavour 4×4 AT review – Bucking bronco

The Ford Everest concept was previewed in Sydney a few hours ago. It shares its underpinnings with the Ford Ranger pickup. Although not as radical looking as the new Ford EcoSport in styling, the Everest does look quite mature and has the key design elements of Ford’s new styling – hexagonal grille, with thick slats, swept back headlamps with twin lamps. At the rear too, the tail-lamps are in line with this design, wrapping on to the boot lid with a thick chrome strip connecting them. What’s interesting is that as is the current trend in weight saving, Ford too has removed the spare wheel from the boot door and shoved it under the vehicle. Also see: New Ford Endeavour rendering out

The Ford Everest / Endeavour will be a seven seater, in three rows, although from the photographs it does look like there has been some compromising on space – a feature that was a selling point with the Endeavour. In profile, it does look quite a bit like the Toyota Fortuners silhouette, so expect the amount of space on offer to also be similar.

The engines on offer are likely to be a 2.2 litre common-rail diesel good for about 150 bhp of power and a 3-litre diesel like the current Endeavour has but with a bit more power, with a choice of manual and automatic transmission, with 4×4. The brakes are likely to be discs all-around as seen on the concept, but with a non-independent rear axle and predominantly rear-wheel drive.

The new Ford Endeavour is expected in India next year and all indications are that this is the vehicle that will replace the current Ford Endeavour. What chances do you think it has?