| Ford Endeavour SE+Chevrolet Tavera
Elite+Skoda Octavia Combi |
| Ford Endeavour SE |
 Ford
Endeavour 2WD/4WD
Price Rs 14.50/15.39 lakh
(Ex-showroom Delhi) On Sale Now
FORD HAS NOW
become the latest carmaker to offer a special edition of its moderately
successful Endeavour, called just that — ‘Special
Edition’.
The interiors get beige treatment with leather seats in the colour.
Plus mock wood inserts on the fascia and gear knob, and a wood-rimmed
steering wheel. These changes lend an air of class and plushness
to an
otherwise staid cabin. In its new guise, the Endeavour looks even
more impressive.
Like last year’s ‘Hurricane’ edition, the exterior
remains the same except for some additions like a rear wheel cover,
rear window-mounted mirror and a semi-bullguard in the front bumper.
And the Special Edition is available only in a new colour —
Fiery Red.
No changes under the hood but with 1.9 tons to lug around and
a 58bhp-per ton power-to-weight ratio, the engine still feels
underpowered. Other Endeavour virtues like a stiff chassis and
good handling remain as before.
However ride quality is still not great especially at the rear
compared to its rivals. The cramped third-row seats are even worse
and a pain to get in and out of.
Essentially aimed at the festive season, the car is priced at
Rs 14.50 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the 2WD and Rs 15.39 lakh
for the 4WD and is dearer by around Rs 70,000 than the ordinary
version.
Ashish Masih
|
|
 FACTFILE
FORD ENDEAVOUR SE
Engine
Layout 4-cylinder, 2499cc, turbo-diesel
Max power 111bhp
Max torque 28.5kgm
How big?
Length 4958mm
Width 1805mm
Height 1835mm
WHAT
TO EXPECT
Indestructible and now looks it too in Fiery Red but not enough
additional features for the price |
|
| |
| Elite
Part Deux |
 NEW
Chevrolet Tavera Elite
Price Rs 7.15 lakh
On Sale Now
FACING
COMPETITION from the more modern Innova, GM has launched a new
Tavera variant called the Elite, a suffix used earlier on the
Corsa. It features seats and carpeting in beige but the seats
are still in fabric, even in the top-end SS version. Features
such as keyless entry, car alarm and a new Alpine MP3, CD-player
have now been added to the top-end SS variant along with a new
colour ‘rainforest’.
The Tavera Elite will continue to be offered with the same 2.5-litre
direct injection turbo-diesel that generates 80bhp and 19kgm.
The ex-showroom prices range from Rs 7.15 lakh for the LS BS II
variant to Rs 10.05 lakh for the SS BS III variant.
|
|
 FACTFILE
CHEVY TAVERA ELITE
Engine
Layout 4-cylinder, 2499cc turbo-diesel
Max power 80.0bhp
Max torque 19.0kgm
How big?
Length 4435mm
Width 1680mm
Height 1765mm
WHAT TO EXPECT
More features but not quite an Innova-beater.
|
|
| |
| Estate
of the art |
 New
Octavia Combi
Price Rs 13.85-14.45 lakh
On Sale Now
SKODA HAS LAUNCHED the estate version of its Octavia called the
Combi, opening up a new premium estate segment.
The Combi retains the familiar front end of the Octavia, with
the real difference starting from the C-pillar onward. The squared
roofline, thick D-pillars and minimal tail-lamps give it an elegant
charm. Inside the rear loading area is wide and flat, with boot
space not much different from the Octavia. However folding the
rear seats allows an impressive 1512 litres of space — enough
for two adults to sleep in and 200 litres more than the Octavia.
The car comes in two versions, the L&K with a 1.9-litre diesel
unit, which develops 90bhp and the 150bhp turbo-petrol RS. Skoda
has not launched the Combi in the cheaper Rider version yet, but
may do so if it sees demand for the same.
The Combi will be available at a price of Rs 13,85,340 (RS Combi)
and Rs 14,45,886 (L&K Combi) both prices being ex-showroom
New Delhi, roughly Rs 40,000 more than the notchback version.
|
| FACTFILE
SKODA OCTAVIA COMBI
Engines Petrol/Diesel
Layout 4cyl, in-line 1781cc T/1896cc T
Max power 150/90bhp
Max torque 21/21kgm
How big?
Length 4513mm
Width 1731mm
Height 1457mm
WHAT TO EXPECT
Classy, versatile, expensive estate with super engines |
|
Source
October 2005 |
