Ford Everest

From Ford Wiki

The Ford Everest (model code U268) is a midsize SUV sold in Asia, and the Bahamas. The Everest is based on the local (Mazda-based) Mazda Fighter Pickup truck platform. The SUV is also sold as the Ford Endeavour in India.

The truck has three-rows of seating, Rear wheel drive or Four wheel drive, and 2.5 L Diesel or 2.6 L Petrol engines. It rides on a 2860 mm (112.6 in) wheelbase. The Everest was introduced in late March 2003 and is built at the AutoAlliance Thailand plant, and as Complete knock down kits in other countries (India, Malaysia, Vietnam).

In November 2006, Ford announced a redesigned Everest based on the new Ford Ranger (J97U), including Duratorq diesel engines and two different drivetrains: 4x2 for 2.5 litre 143 hp (107 kW) models, 4x4 for 3.0 litre 156 hp (116 kW) models. In addition, the redesign featured the new 5-speed automatic transmission with BorgWarner transfer case, and the new Active-Shift-on-the-Fly (4x4 only) for the first time.

This vehicle has had its origins from the Ford Ranger which is built for the south-east Asian markets at the Ford-Mazda JV plant at the Thai port city of Rayong. Its underpinnings remain very much that of a pick-up truck while its engine is a Mazda derived unit used for its low cost of manufacture coupled with the requirements of these markets in terms of emission norms, fuel efficiency and most of all - affordability. A Hiroshima based design team worked to develop the Endeavour aka Everest and give it the qualities desired by the developing markets.

Ironically, another SUV based on the Mazda Proceed was produced in the 1980s, and 1990s as the Proceed Marvie. It was a 4 door SUV, but in similar fashion to the original Toyota Hilux Surf/Toyota 4Runner of the cargo area having a removable top.

Engines

2003 models

• 2.5 literFord WLT engine water-Intercooled Turbocharger-Diesel, 88 kW (118 hp) and 277 N·m (204 ft·lbf)
• 2.6 liter Ford G6E engine 3-valve Petrol, 90 kW (121 hp) and 206 N·m (151 ft·lbf)

2007 models

• 2.5 liter diesel, 4-cylinder, 16-valve intercooler, turbocharged 143 horsepower (107 kW)
• 3.0 liter diesel, 4-cylinder, 16-valve intercooler, turbocharged 156 horsepower (116 kW)

References

First generation Everest

• Overdrive (magazine), Feb 2004