New Ford EcoSport SUV (Indian Launch Likely)


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During an online chat with friends in Brazil, the topic of a Ford SUV on the Global B Platform (Figo’s platform) was opened. Many blogs and online portals have started speculating on the possibility of a mini SUV on the Fiesta/Figo platform for India and Ford has acknowledged a portion of this claim by stating they are working on a SUV, which could be smaller than the Endeavor (if it was bigger than the Endeavour, it is what we term as “inter-city bus”)

The vehicle, we thought, was going to be developed from scratch by the Ford’s team here in Chennai, responsible for the Figo. But how wrong we were.
Our Brazilian friends tell us there’s a SUV named “EcoSport” which sells in Brazil and is based on the B-Platform. The vehicle is 4.3 metres in length and comes with both manual and automatic gearbox. It employs four powertrain options, the smallest which is the 1.4-liter powerplant. The vehicle has been in the market since 2004, and it is in need of a makeover.

Ford could forget the idea of selling this vehicle as a small car since 30cm is a large chunk of sheet metal to chip out. The vehicle is offered with 1.6 and 2.0-liter petrols in Brazil indicating that it is not built necessarily for economy.
The dashboard and many other elements inside the cabin come from the Figo/Fiesta. The seats, gear lever, hand brake and even the steering wheel look exactly the same from the images. Ford will give the car Kinetic Design touches (different headlamps, bumper and grille). We suspect at least 50% of the components will come from the Figo/Fusion/Fiesta inventory.

Source: Indian Autos Blog
 
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It is based on the Figo platform, so yes, it may come here.
Ford, are you listening?
 
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Re: Ford Eco-Sport

EcoSport

The next big thing from Ford since the Figo. It will be powered by a 1.5-litre, 90bhp diesel motor, will be priced around Rs 7-9 lakh. 2012 launch. The new Fiesta may not have taken off quite as strongly as Ford expected it to, but the American carmaker still has a couple of aces up its sleeve. One of them is the yet-to-be-revealed EcoSport. Known internally as the B515, this next-generation EcoSport will be unveiled at the 2012 Auto Expo, followed by a launch in Brazil in the first few months of the year. The current EcoSport is quite popular in Brazil and since India has similar market dynamics to Brazil, Ford is hoping to replicate that success here.

The EcoSport is built on Ford’s award-winning, global compact car platform (B2E) developed in association with Mazda, which majors on weight saving and torsional rigidity. Ford wants to milk this platform as much as possible and hence a wide range of body styles will be spun off it. Apart from the saloon, there’s a hatchback version of the Fiesta (expected in India in the not-too-distant future), the EcoSport and finally a mini- MPV (code: B516) which could be called the B-max. Though the EcoSport shares plenty of bits with the Fiesta saloon under the skin, it looks completely different, and you would be hard-pressed to tell that the two have anything in common. In fact, as per these illustrations, the new EcoSport could pass off as a proper soft-roader, but it’s nothing of the sort. This is in fact a sub-four-metre car with hatchback dimensions, and a tailgate-mounted spare wheel that sticks out past the four-metre mark. Small-car regulations don’t count the spare tyre in the length of a car and Ford has taken maximum advantage of this rule.

What is plainly clear is that this car definitely has SUV written all over it. The upright stance, the high bonnet, generous ground clearance and subtle cladding make you think off-roader, and what’s even better is that it is fresh, boldly designed and well proportioned, all at the same time. There’s an attractive and striking inverse ‘V’ in the nose, the chin has a pair of menacing intakes and the tipped-forward stance makes it look like an alert slip fielder, always ready for action. It looks great from the back as well, with its pillar-less rear windscreen and sharply cut tail-lights. Large wheels are a must for an SUV and the EcoSport for India could get 16 or even 17-inch wheels. The Fiesta DNA will ensure that this car rides and handles very much unlike an SUV, and the tall stance and high ground clearance will be perfect for Indian roads. Just don’t expect acres of space on the inside, for the EcoSport will be only slightly roomier than the Fiesta, primarily because passengers are sat at a greater height off the floor.

To keep in line with the regs, Ford will use the new 90bhp, 1.5-litre DV5 diesel which debuted in the new Fiesta saloon. Ford may bump up the power of the engine to make this slightly heavier (and less aerodynamic) car perform better, and we expect the overall gearing to be shorter too. But don’t expect the power hike to be significant; the IB5 gearbox carried over from the Fiesta is not rated to handle much more torque, and this will serve as a limiting factor. Also, since the EcoSport will use the identical platform and running gear to the Fiesta, it will be front-wheel drive only, with no
4x4 option. Introducing a petrol version, however, will be much more difficult. A 1.2-litre petrol motor, needed to comply with the small-car rules, would be too underpowered and a 1500 or 1600cc engine would attract a higher excise duty and also make it more expensive and less efficient. So we expect the petrol, if at all, will come only later, once the EcoSport has been well established in our market.

The EcoSport, which cleverly combines the charm of an SUV, the practicality of diesel, cutting-edge styling and a very affordable price tag somewhere in the region of Rs 7-9 lakh, has the makings of a winner. At that price, it will provide a genuine alternative to a midsize car and even a hatchback. Though the Premier Rio is technically the first compact SUV in the market, the EcoSport will be the first serious player in this virgin niche. This could give Ford a big first-mover advantage in a segment that could explode. This could be the car to watch out for in 2012.

Source: ACI :SCOOP! Ford EcoSport coming next year - News - Autocar India Mobile Edition
 

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AMG

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Re: Ford Eco-Sport

I have got so high hopes from this.

I just pray that it doesnt disappoint.


PS: We may buy it next year.
 
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Re: Ford Eco-Sport

Saw this Ford Eco sport Adv in you tube.Looks are certainly a winner.
 
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Re: New Ford Eco-Sport SUV (Indian Launch Likely)

Edit the thread title.

Its EcoSport and not eco-sport.
I searched ecosport and it showed no results.
 
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Re: New Ford Eco-Sport SUV (Indian Launch Likely)

was been hearing about the Eco Sport launch since last 3 or 4 months,

enquired with bangalore metro ford replied says may be on jan 2012 or max feb

got same reply from thanjavur ford dealer lakshmi ford

lets wait and see
 
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