Ford updates EcoSport small SUV
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 6th Dec 2017
The naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that previously powered the entire range bar the Trend has evolved into a three-pot unit of identical displacement, and will power Ambiente variants teamed exclusively to a new six-speed automatic transmission.
Power is up 8kW/10Nm on the old four cylinder to 90kW/150Nm, while the five-speed manual gearbox has been deleted from the range.
Powering the rest of the range, which includes the Trend and, is the turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost unit from the outgoing range that still produces 92kW/170Nm, and is now also paired to a six-speed auto.
Ford’s latest Sync3 infotainment system has been introduced to the EcoSport range, and it includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
App-Link and DAB+ digital radio are included on Sync3, while Trend and Titanium variants get voice-activated sat-nav.
Accessed through a 6.5-inch screen for Ambiente and 8.0-inch on Trend and Titanium, Sync3 also includes Emergency Assistance and a rearview camera.
Ford has also the EcoSport’s styling, with a new trapezoidal grille design, angular headlights, and a revised rear bumper and tail-light, while three new exterior paint hues brings total colour choices to six.
Standard equipment on the entry-level Ambiente includes 16-inch steel wheels, six-way manual driver’s seat adjustment, cloth seat trim, 6.5-inch touchscreen, 4.2-inch instrument cluster display, Bluetooth, six-speaker audio, seven airbags, ESC, hill launch assist, cruise control, rearview camera, rear parking sensors, and emergency assistance.
Stepping up to the mid-spec Trend adds 16-inch alloys, front foglights, silver-finish grille, body colour mirrors and door handles, black finish roof rails, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 8.0-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, seven-speaker audio and a rear armrest with twin cupholders.
The range-topping Titanium benefits from 17-inch alloy hoops, full-size spare wheel with cover, chrome finish grille, HID headlights, daytime running lights, power-folding mirrors, front and rear bumper inserts, silver finish roof rails, sunroof, leather-accented seat trim, smart keyless entry, climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, front parking sensors, blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers.
To the end of November, Ford has sold 1243 examples of the EcoSport, down 26.4 per cent to the same point last year.
It is well off the pace of segment leaders such as the Mitsubishi ASX (17,275), Mazda CX-3 (16,896), Nissan Qashqai (12,616) and Honda HR-V (10,783).
Full pricing will be revealed at the model’s local media launch next week.
