Highway to the Danger Zone
The initial bit was all broken road enough for one Endeavour and maybe a full auto-rickshaw, but definitely not wide enough for two cars. That meant going off the road at speed and getting back on over changing and inconsistent road shoulders. The new Ford Endeavour takes it all in its stride. The Terrain Management System – from its older genes – has a capable selection for sand, mud-and-ruts, slippery surfaces and normal modes to choose from. I stuck to the normal road mode. The brakes are gradual and effective at shedding speed and coming to a stop – the one action that actually lets that little bit of pitch become evident. During all else, the Endeavour is masterful. It’s unperturbed at speed and can even tackle bends at highway speeds with a composed calm that rubs off on occupants. The open roads running along the Thar desert make for a spectacular backdrop and being in a relaxed state of mind lets occupants soak up the scenery as well. Moving along, the suspension is soft enough for a wafting ride and feels positively luxurious during undulations. There’s no real body-roll through normal bends, but even in sharper corners, it stays true to its line. The steering feel and feedback is admirable and it feels well-calibrated in all situations. It’s how communicative the whole set-up is that stood out for me. For a car of its size and weight – almost five metres long and 2.4 tonnes – it feels agile and in control enough to not become a bother, even at speed.
In Dune with the Times
Heading to the dunes, tyre pressure was dropped from 30 psi to about 21, the Terrain Management System dial was turned to “Sand” – or “Cactus mode” as I like to refer to it, owing to the large depiction of a cactal nature that signifies its place on the dial – and the traction control was turned off as we headed to the sand dunes. Thankfully, my instructor, Arpit, is a professional dune-basher and even conducts the Ultimate Desert Challenge in Bikaner. Encouraging news for me, this being the first time I tackle a dune – another tick on my bucket-list.
The rules are actually quite simple when properly understood: Never lose momentum. Steering input should, ideally, not exceed a three-quarter turn. Acceleration control is key. Brakes are basically a no-no unless critical speed drops are needed. The slow sections require mild pedal pressure, while powering up steep inclines requires the pedal to the metal at times. Once almost at the crest, lift off completely and the car will carry itself forward. Heading down requires no throttle or brakes and the Endeavour simply floats down on what feels like a wave of butter. Modulated acceleration for surfaces is the ideal way to go about it. I had impressed Arpit enough for him to let me drive us to the second, more challenging dune. Higher and more intimidating, especially when viewed from the base.
As we made our way through the ups and downs and headed for the steep slope we would soon need to scale and change direction as we crest, the only things I remember are a hit of anxiety and Arpit yelling out “Full acceleration!” on repeat from the passenger seat. The feeling atop the crest was equally rewarding and apart from the triumphant feeling of conquering the challenging dunes, the capability of the new Ford Endeavour – in this bone stock guise, running OEM MRF Wanderers slightly deflated – was the highlight. What it is usually subject to from those who buy it is a far-cry from what its potential holds. Arpit was keen to point out that the hefty bottom-end torque the 3.2 five musters is key to its capability on the dunes. That four-wheel driveline ticks all the right boxes, then.
Living With It
The Ford Endeavour was a good car to begin with and the changes that have been implemented help it go further. The eight-way, power-adjustable front seats, split-folding second row and power-folding third row all add to the convenience, while the safety quotient is upped with ABS and ESC with traction control as well as rollover stability control, and the inclusion of a driver knee airbag as well, taking the total up to seven airbags. All in all, it’s a thoughtful design and execution from Ford and it shows in the real world. At Rs 32.97 lakh, the new Ford Endeavour 3.2 AT 4×4 is a lot of car for the money. It feels robust and is very well-equipped and I can safely say it would be money well-spent.
Need to Know – Ford Endeavour 3.2 AT 4×4
Price: Rs 32.97 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 3,198 cc, in-line five, direct-injection, turbo-diesel
Max Power: 200 PS @ 3,000 rpm
Max Torque: 470 Nm @ 1,750-2,500 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, automatic, four-wheel drive
Suspension: Double-wishbone front, Watts linkage rear
Weight: 2,394 kg
