8.0-inch touchscreen now available in MY2017 Ford EcoSport Titanium

Previously exclusive to the EcoSport Platinum.

Given the increasing affinity towards touchscreen systems in entry level compact cars, Ford has now made the 8.0-inch AVN touchscreen system standard in the EcoSport Titanium and Titanium+ grades, replacing the SYNC 1 system. However, the 1.5L AT Titanium model doesn't get the update.

The Ecosport Titanium range with the touchscreen starts from INR 9.09 Lakhs for the 1.5L petrol and INR 9.69 Lakhs for the 1.5L diesel (all prices ex-showroom).

Previously exclusive to the EcoSport Platinum Edition, the 8.0-inch touchscreen system offers satellite navigation, DVD player, rear view camera, and door ajar warning.

Unlike its closest rival, the Maruti Vitara Brezza, the EcoSport doesn't offer smartphone connectivity options like Apple CarPlay and Mirrorlink, although Ecosport's 8-inch unit is available in three grades, while the Maruti offers a 7-inch touchscreen system in the top-end ZDI+ grade only.

Otherwise, no other changes have been made. The 2017 model doesn't get the gloss black roof or 16-inch dual tone alloy rims from the Platinum edition. The Titanium grades can be had with a choice of three engines: 1.5L Ti-VCT petrol engine, 1.5-litre TDCi engine and the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. All variants come equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox, while the 6-speed DCT is exclusive to the 1.5L Ti-VCT.

Ford is trying to pull out all stops to make the EcoSport still relevant in the SUV segment, given Maruti's dominance in a segment that the EcoSport created. Last month, Ford sold 4,662 units of the EcoSport in the domestic market, which is the highest figure recorded in the last six months but still afar from the Vitara Brezza's 10,057 unit sales for March.

With the arrival of new models like Tata Nexon and Mahindra S201, it's good that Ford India is prepping a comprehensive facelift for the EcoSport which is expected to arrive by the end of the year. The changes were showcased when it was unveiled for the first time in U.S at the 2016 L.A Auto show, most of which will filter down to the India-spec car, as the model for the US market will also be made by Ford India at the Chennai plant.