NEW DELHI. Ford has given international media a first glimpse of the new EcoSport (pronounced echo sport) – a compact utility vehicle that will eventually be introduced in over 100 markets – ahead of the New Delhi Auto Expo, where it will head up the company’s display.
Developed in Brazil, the EcoSport’s compact dimensions (roughly similar to that of Daihatsu’s Terios) should make it easily maneuvered on congested roads and in tight parking spaces. But the focus of the “One Ford” global car strategy makes the EcoSport attractive not only for growing markets in Asia and Africa.
Design-wise, what the styling team strove to eliminate was the boxy connotation that goes with vehicles of this size that make it to developing markets. Thus, the EcoSport boasts a sleek appearance and cues adopted as part of the kinetic design language that has found its way on all of the Blue Ovals’s products.
Notable elements that add to the EcoSport’s bold stance are the familiar trapezoidal grille up front, wraparound headlamps, narrow side windows and a rising shoulder that accentuates the car’s raised ground clearance, and spare wheel holder on the tailgate in similar fashion to that of the Everest SUV.
More importantly, the EcoSport also features the all-new EcoBoost engine – a turbocharged 1,0-litre, three-cylinder unit with direct injection and variable camshaft timing that Ford claims will offer consumers impressive power, torque and low-speed response. The smallest member of the EcoBoost family will produce in the region of 90 kW and 170 N.m of torque – from as low down as 1 700, all the way up to 4 500 r/min. It also emits less than 140 g/km of CO2.
“Fitted with a long list of innovative technologies, the 1,0-litre EcoBoost is one of the most technically advanced and efficient engines Ford has ever designed and produced,” says Joe Bakaj, Ford vice president of global powertrain engineering. “This new engine demonstrates Ford’s laser focus on improving fuel economy without compromising performance.
The unveiling of the EcoSport is the latest phase in Ford’s plan to introduce 50 new vehicles and powertrains to Asia Pacific and African regions by mid decade. The rise of this region as an international volume player is evident in Ford’s recently-announced investments with regard to manufacturing and engine plants in India – totaling nearly 1,2 billion USD. The EcoSport will be produced at the integrated Chennai plant , which has a production capacity of 200 000 units per annum.
“Following the success of the game-changing Ford Figo and ‘tech-tastic’ Fiesta sedan, the all- new Ford EcoSport will certainly broaden our showroom offering in India, keeping in step with the aspirations of our customers,” says Michael Boneham, president and managing director, of Ford India. “With its tremendous value story, we’re confident this compact SUV will greatly bolster our presence in the competitive Indian market.”
The EcoSport has also been confirmed for South Africa, but when exactly it can be expected on home soil is not yet known.