Aka the Endeavour is the body-on frame SUV that’s getting ready to enter its third generation.
Our spy team spotted the next-gen Ford Ranger in Europe. Now, its SUV sibling has also been seen. The Endeavour, a midsize body-on frame vehicle that was introduced in India in 2003, has been renamed the Arquus Trapper VT4 for the French army.
The new model will be closely related to the Ranger pickup’s pickup, as they have identical front fascias with familiar C-shaped daytime running lamps and similar C-shaped daytime running light shapes. A rugged vehicle will have six wheels with six lug nuts. The high ground clearance ensures that the Everest has a generous suspension travel.
Similar to the Ranger images above, our spies pointed out the yellow sticker at the lower corner on the windshield. This sticker could be a clue about the electrified nature, specifically a plug-in hybrid powertrain. However, the extra fuel cap at the charging port is not visible unless the camouflaged covers it or the test car is a regular hybrid and not a PHEV.
Although this right-hand-drive prototype was spotted on the Old Continent it does not necessarily mean Ford plans to introduce the next-gen Everest in Europe. It would be more practical to take it to the United States, where SUVs on ladder frames chassis are more popular than in Europe.
According to Ford, the Ranger will be sold with four powertrain options. However, that will vary depending on market conditions. Diesel enthusiasts will have the option of a twin turbo 2.0-liter or a more powerful 3.0-liter V6. On the gasoline side, there may be a four-cylinder hybrid unit or a twin turbo 2.7-liter V6. For the US market, the Ranger Raptor will use the latter engine.
Although it’s too soon to know which engine will be in the Everest SUV, the twin-turbo, 2.7-liter V6 seems to be a safe bet. For some powertrains, a ten-speed auto transmission will be available. However, the next-gen model should offer a choice of RWD or 4WD.
Although we can’t see the interior, logic suggests that the new Ranger/Everest will be using Ford’s latest SyNC4 infotainment with a 12 or 15.5 inch touchscreen. The prototype’s bulge is a sign that the vehicle has blind-spot monitoring. If Ford uses dual-layer camo, it must also be due to problems with the handles.
The Ranger and Everest were developed mainly in Australia. Volkswagen considers them important as the platform that will support the next generation Amarok. They are all expected to be released in 2022. It would be fascinating to see a VW version of the Everest.