Making its debut at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo in India as the Ford EcoSport, the new compact crossover is the latest installment in Ford’s ever-expanding global product family.
Modern and innovative, the all-new
Ford EcoSport was designed to combine best-in-class design, technology, quality and safety aimed at attracting a new generation of consumers in different global markets.
The vehicle is based on the
Blue Oval’s global B-segment platform, used in other subcompacts like the Fiesta and upcoming B-Max. This particular platform is crucial to Ford’s future success as vehicles based on it are predicted to represent more than two million units of annual production as subcompact cars continue to drive global growth.
Created as the latest One Ford global product, the EcoSport will be a key model in expanding Ford's presence in major worldwide growth markets, including India, Brazil and the ASEAN markets. It has been developed in South America at one of Ford's eight global product development centres in conjunction with teams from Asia, Europe and North America to meet the needs of markets across the globe.
The all-new Ford EcoSport exemplifies the
DNA of Ford global vehicles and its versatility broadens the horizons of mobility and use. Its genuine SUV confidence starts in the stability of the chassis, reinforced by the body's robust build, high torsional stiffness and high levels of protection for its occupants. Yet, its innovative design reduces the weight and ensures good fuel efficiency.
Ford EcoSport 2013 The All New Compact Crossover
As a Fiesta-based model, the EcoSport will be front-wheel drive only, at least initially, confirming its positioning as an SUV to be used primarily in the city.
Ford says the Fiesta architecture can be engineered for all-wheel-drive capability but says this expensive investment would only go ahead if there was sufficient market demand.
Ford Australia confirmed the EcoSport’s engine options will include the company’s smallest ‘
Ecoboost’ engine yet – a
turbocharged, direct fuel injection 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol.
The 1.0-litre turbo will spread to other Ford products, with the Fiesta one of the most likely recipients. In the EcoSport it produces 88kW of power and 170Nm of torque, with the latter output delivered between 1300 and 4500rpm.
Ford EcoSport 2013 The All New Compact Crossover
Ford hasn’t revealed a fuel consumption figure for the engine but says emissions will be below 140 grams per kilometre, equating to a fuel consumption somewhere in the mid-4.0 litres per 100km bracket.
A 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine will offer even better fuel consumption and emissions, while a 1.5-litre normally aspirated four-cylinder petrol will power the entry-level EcoSport.
Both engines are already found in the Fiesta in India, where the 1.5-litre petrol produces 80kW/140Nm and uses about 5.9 litres per 100km and the 1.5-litre diesel has 66kW/204Nm and a fuel consumption figure of about 4.3L/100km.
A five-speed manual will be the standard gearbox with a Powershift dual-clutch auto becoming an option on the diesel and possibly the petrols.
Previewing the vehicle design first at the 11th Annual Auto Expo in New Delhi gives Ford the opportunity to introduce EcoSport to consumers in one of the world's biggest automotive growth markets ahead of its future global rollouts.
Ford EcoSport 2013 The All New Compact Crossover
The new EcoSport was developed on Ford's new global B-segment platform, which will be the basis for an array of new small-car products from Ford in the coming years. By mid-decade, the new Ford B-platform family of vehicles will represent more than 2 million units of annual production as compact cars continue to drive global growth.
The
Ford EcoSport has been a market phenomenon since it was launched in South America in 2003 as the region's first affordable SUV, selling 700,000 vehicles in nine years. It created a new segment and popularized features that many consumers had wanted.
The
Ford EcoSport will be produced at ultra-modern, flexible assembly plants in Brazil, India, and other markets to be announced at a later time. The EcoSport as a global vehicle is an example of the technical ability of Ford's global engineering and high level of integration of the design and engineering centres around the world.
