Ford’s cute and funky EcoSport compact SUV is heading for local sale next year after its global reveal at the Beijing Motor Show. Expect the made-in-India Ford EcoSport (using the same chassis platform as the Fiesta) early in 2013.
And speaking to Car Showroom earlier this week at the launch of the Falcon EcoBoost, Brit Andrew Frazer, Ford’s global powertrain boss, said the superb, all-new, fuel-sipping 89kW/170Nm, 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine will be powering the newcomer (80kW 1.5-litre petrol and 55kW 1.5-litre diesel are also on the list).
Combine that contemporary fuel-saving engine technology and the cute looks of the baby EcoSport and you have yet another standout product further boosting Ford’s excellent imported model range (Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo and Ranger). Add-in the outstanding local Territory SUV and a Falcon range boosted by the EcoLPI and EcoBoost 2.0-litre…well there have been some massive changes to the Ford range in recent times.
Speaking at the EcoSport reveal in Beijing, Ford’s enigmatic design boss J Mays said: “The new EcoSport is full of personality. Customers around the world immediately recognize its capability and SUV robustness that is achieved with aggressiveness. “It is friendly and it’s a vehicle that really makes you smile.”
Ford says current plans limit the EcoSport to front-wheel-drive only (unless there is demand in other markets for 4WD), meaning it will compete locally with front-drive versions of the Nissan Dualis (starting price $24,990), Kia Sportage (starting price $26,220) and Hyundai ix35 (starting price $26,990). A mid-$20,000 pricepoint for the EcoSport would also provide separation from Ford’s excellent Kuga medium SUV.
