2013. Ford India took the auto market by storm with the launch of the EcoSport which proved to be a game changer for the American car maker in India and went on to win several accolades across the globe making it one of the most awarded cars in the world.
2017. The iconic American auto maker is gearing up to launch the facelifted EcoSport in India which not only carries forward the legacy created but it predecessor but offers much more in terms of style and connectivity.
So What’s New In The 2017 Ford EcoSport?
- An all-new petrol engine – Three-cylinder 1.5L TiVCT delivering 123 PS of power and 7 per cent fuel efficiency improvement compared to the previous petrol powertrain
- Over 1600 changes including refreshed exteriors featuring a bolder and distinct Ford signature grille; bigger, wider projector headlamps and fog lamp bezel
- Refined interiors including premium leather-stitched seats; bolder, ergonomic instrument panel and cluster; and 25 smart stowage spaces
- An all-new six-speed Automatic Transmission, segment-first paddle shifters, cruise control and hill launch assist
- Better technology including SYNC 3 with a high-resolution 8-inch floating touch screen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
More Macho On The Outside
The new EcoSport builds on the dynamic exterior design of its predecessor, starting with a reshaped front, and a large upper trapezoidal grille and lower grille that make it unmistakably a member of the Ford family of SUVs.
The sculpted hood features a wider central dome for a more masculine appearance. At either side, uninterrupted lines flow smoothly from the hood into the A-pillar. Another continuous line running from the belt line along the edge of the hood accentuates sleek new headlamps with LED daytime running lights.
Bold fog lamps complete the face of the EcoSport and give it an edgier, more aggressive look. New Ford EcoSport will feature bigger 17-inch alloy wheels with top-of-the-line Titanium+ variant giving it an even more aggressive stance.
We have been told that Ford’s design and engineering team spent more than a million hours studying computer fluid dynamics, and more than 200 hours in a wind tunnel refining the aerodynamics of the new EcoSport.
More Premium On The Inside
Step inside and you will be welcomed by refreshed interiors with premium leather stitched seats that offer excellent lumber and thigh support. Ford claims that its designers and psychologists spent thousands of hours watching and evaluating how customers interact with their car on a daily basis, using eye-tracking software alongside traditional customer feedback such as identifying which buttons drivers interact with most.
The result: New Ford EcoSport now comes with a more practical and user-centric interior design, inspired by smart devices and tablets in keeping with today’s modern driver habits. The new EcoSport features large and conveniently placed knobs that for adjusting volume, temperature and fan speed making it easier to operate while on the go.
A broad range of other controls have been integrated into an eight-inch touchscreen, featured for the first time in EcoSport. With minimal buttons and controls, the screen has been placed closer to the driver’s line of sight, helping them keep their eyes on the road.
More Space To Carry Your World
Ergonomic design contributes to making the passenger cabin appear more spacious. A centrally located media bin makes it easy to stow a smartphone while charging. Designed to accommodate a phone as large as an iPhone 7 Plus, the bin comes with two illuminated USB ports.
The media bin is just one of 25 compartments throughout the EcoSport’s cabin, offering convenient places for coffee cups, bottled drinks, sunglasses and umbrellas. Fold-flat rear seats maximise rear cargo space.
The boot offers flexible cargo space with an adjustable floorboard which can be mounted on two designated slots to split the boot into different compartments, based on a driver’s need.
Across three adjustable positions, the boot space serves from being a load floor for maximum storage to a secure storage area beneath the floorboard to keep valuables, only to end up creating a cargo floor that lines up with the fold-flat second-row seats.
More Technology, More Connectivity
The new EcoSport features Ford’s in-car infotainment system, SYNC 3, which allows drivers to control their entertainment, climate settings, as well as their connected smartphone, all with conversational voice commands.
This latest edition of Ford’s globally renowned in-car connectivity system is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. This allows drivers to make phone calls, access their music, send and receive messages, get directions and more, all while staying focused on the road.
SYNC 3 is Ford SYNC AppLink compatible, enabling new EcoSport owners to use simple voice commands for controlling a range of smartphone apps, including Hungama Drive, InShorts, Maps by MapMyIndia, AccuWeather and Pparke.
New Heart Under The Hood
Under the hood, customers can choose from one of two engines on offer: An all-new Ford 1.5-litre three-cylinder TiVCT petrol engine and the tried and tested 1.5-litre TDCi diesel motor.
The all-new 1.5-liter petrol Ti-VCT engine is smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient than the previous generation. The latest naturally aspirated engine is powered by 3-Cylinders for improved performance and efficiency while reducing size, weight and friction. The 1.5L TiVCT delivers 123 PS of power at 6500 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 4500 rpm.
The all-new petrol engine will offer a 7 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions and efficiency, through reductions in weight and size, as well as the application of innovative technologies.
1.5-litre Ti-VCT petrol engine
With the new petrol motor, Ford has achieved a 7 per cent improvement in fuel economy to 17 kmpl while efficiency figures for the diesel engine have also improved to 23 kmpl – both are ARAI-ratified figures and would differ in real life driving conditions. Both diesel and petrol engines will come mated with a five-speed manual transmission.
For even greater choice, Ford will offer the all-new petrol engine with an all-new six-speed automatic transmission that offers smooth shifts across rev range. A new, sportier steering wheel with paddle shifters enhances the new EcoSport’s fun-to-drive feeling.
1.5-litre TDCi diesel motor
The 1.5-litre TDCi diesel motor is the same engine that did duty in the outgoing EcoSport. It produces 100 PS of power at 3750 rpm and 205 Nm of peak torque between 1750-3250 rpm and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The engine delivers linear torque across rev range and boasts of good driveability.
So, What Works For The New Ford EcoSport?
- Masculine and dynamic exterior design with refreshed grille, revised headlamps and fog lamps
- Premium leather stitched seats offering better lumber and thigh support
- New 8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system
- Intelligent space management with 25 stowage spaces
- Good ride and handling with well tuned suspension set up to tackle Indian road conditions
- Low cost of ownership
What Still Has Room For Improvement?
- The new 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine is fun to drive around in urban city conditions, especially in the sports mode, however, it runs out of breadth on the highway and needs to be pushed hard while overtaking on open stretches. Feels a tad bit under-powered
- In terms of display and visual appeal the instrument cluster could have been more contemporary and stylish in design
Prices of the 2017 Ford EcoSport is start at Rs 7.31 lakhs for the base petrol and Rs 8.01 lakhs for the base diesel trim. Interestingly, these are the exact prices of the outgoing EcoSport model.
Power Drive 