Ready for a Fiesta-based crossover that mates sporty styling with fuel economy and the Fiesta’s impeccable driving dynamics? Ford will soon launch the all-new EcoSport, to be produced at its Chennai, India factory. No less than Ford CEO Alan Mulally launched the EcoSport at the New Delhi Auto Expo.
The EcoSport is based on the Fiesta B-segment platform, but wearing appropriately tall and bulky crossover styling, including a tailgate-mounted spare tire, as well as headlamps borrowed from Tron. EcoSport will be powered by a 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine. The turbocharged, direct-injection powerplant with variable valve timing delivers 118bhp, with similar performance to a conventional 1.6-liter’s.
Ford says that the chassis will exhibit stability, robust build, high torsonial stiffness and high levels of protection for its occupants. Weight reduction and good fuel efficiency were also high on the design objectives.
EcoSport was designed in South America, with an eye to being sold in India, Brazil, ASEAN, and later, China and even the U.S.A. It will be one of the 50 new cars and powertrains that Ford will introduce for the Asia Pacific and African markets by 2015.
Plans to bring the EcoSport to the Philippines are definitely afoot, as Ford has sent a press delegation to the New Delhi show.
Readers may remember that the previous generation was previewed and test-marketed by Ford at the its Centennial Motorshow event some years ago. The market then was dominated by C-segment crossovers and pickup-based SUVs, and the cost of the Brazil-sourced EcoSport was surely not in its favor. The EcoSport sold well in its home market, selling 700,000 units since its 2003 debut.
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