By IANS
New Delhi : Ford India announced they would launch a diesel version of Fusion later this year even as the company unveiled the revamped premium sports utility vehicle (SUV) Endeavour here Wednesday.
"We will launch a diesel version of Fusion in the third quarter of this year. The car has been positioned as an urban activity vehicle and has done well," said Arvind Mathew, president and managing director of Ford India.
"With the fuel prices going up, diesel is always the alternative choice for people and we expect the diesel version of Fusion to help us build a robust diesel segment," he told a press conference at Hyatt Regency hotel here.
On the launch of the new Endeavour, Mathew said: "The new Ford Endeavour is a supreme combination of the latest in vehicle engineering and legendary 'Built Ford Tough' ruggedness that is a hallmark of Ford SUV's across the globe."
More than 75 percent of the vehicle is new. "It has been the highest selling premium SUV in the Indian market since its launch in 2003," Mathew said of the 4X4 vehicle that has a completely new chassis."
The new version is powered by a 16-valve turbo-diesel common rail injection system (TDCi) that will deliver a peak torque of 330 Newton-metres at 1,800 rotations per minute (rpm).
It promises to give a mileage of 13 km to a litre. The engines are being imported from Thailand. As compared to the previous version, this new car offers 28 percent more power and 22 percent more torque, Mathew said.
The car would be available in colours such as panther black, diamond white and three brand new colours — jeans blue, brush steel and mystic wine.
A 4X4 version will cost Rs.1.5 million ($38,000), while a 4X2 variant will cost Rs.1.4 million ($36,000). A limited edition version of the 4X2 version with wood interiors, sleek and stylish body cladding, two tone paint and a new bumper will come at a cost of Rs.1.5 million ($38,000).
"We have 60 percent presence in the premium SUV section and with the launch of this car we can maintain this growth," said Mathew, while adding that Ford now has a 22 percent hold in the mid-size car segment.