GOOD MOTORING
Endeavour to be a toughie on road
H. Kishie Singh

FORD'S Endeavour is the "biggest thing". I think they mean the biggest S.U.V. It is the biggest vehicle on the road in any class. The width is 1805 mm, the height is 1805 mm and the length is 4958 mm, almost 5 metres long. The wheelbase is 2860 mm. It’s a small truck.

The huge vehicle has a commanding presence. The exterior has a bright front. Across the width, there’s a large chrome grill, multi-reflector head lamps and clear lamps that blend into the bumpers of the same colour.

The side view is also imposing.It has silver-coloured side steps to make ingress and egress easier and roof rack rails. The exterior mirror and door handles are chrome. Mud flaps, which can be a nuisance, are in built. The rear gate has opening with an off-set mounted spare tyre. A rear step is moulded into the rear bumper.

The vehicle has tyres specially made by MRF 265/70 R 15. These are the largest tyres in the industry and 12 spoke alloys hold the tyres.To move this 1933 kg vehicle there is a 2.5 litre turbo-charged inter-cooled diesel engine, with single over head cam, four cylinders, 12 valves, the engine is Euro II compliant.

The engine churns out 110 b.h.p. at 3500 r.p.m. This may not seem enough but with a torque of 274 Nm at 2000 r.p.m., the Endeavour has lot of grunt. This grunt at the low-end power band will make it a genuine off-roader.

It would be a genuine "toughie" (Ford’s word). And it would provide a high degree of comfort and luxury to the passengers. Ford has a couple of firsts to its credit. The second row of seats which are split, are higher than the front seats. This provides better visibility for the rear-seat passengers. The rear seats also recline, and have individual A/C vents. There is a third row of seats which are removable. This third row makes the Endeavour a seven-seater. The third row also has A/C vents. The third seat is not for the long and lanky. It’s cramped but will do just fine for children.

The seven-seater has seven cup-holders. I am told this is an important fitment and in great demand. It also has seven seat belts for all seven passengers, plus air bags for the driver and front-seat passenger. The interior is extremely spacious with an ergonomical design that provides complete luxury on the move.

Possibly the most outstanding feature of the Endeavour is the four-wheel ABS with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD). Simply put, it means that the huge vehicle will brake evenly under all conditions. When a vehicle, especially one this size and weight, goes around a corner or in a panic situation, the driver turns the steering sharply to avoid a situation, the weight of the car is transferred to two wheels. When in a left hand turn the weight is on the two right-hand tyres. While braking, the right hand tyres will provide a greater braking effect than the left hand tyres. This could spin the vehicle around. The EBD will make sure all four tyres are exerting an equal brake-force onto the tarmac. Coupled with ABS, this will ensure safe and complete braking.

The list of what was once considered "luxuries" are now almost standard fitment on all cars. A few of these luxuries are power and tilt steering, windows and power external door mirrors.

Every vehicle has its share of quirky designs. It takes a few moments to locate the hand brake which is placed under the dash board just above the left knee.

Ford proudly tom-toms the fact that Ford SUVs have been the largest selling SUVs in America for the last 12 years. Its been raining SUVs, for suddenly all the manufacturers are telling us that this is the way to go. The Endeavour is available in 2 X 4 and 4 X 4 combinations. The price is Rs 12 lakh and Rs 13 lakh, respectively.

Happy motoring.