Spied - Ford EcoSport with new rear design spotted testing in Europe

07/11/2014 - 10:17 Ford EcoSport, Ford, Spy pictures Anjan Ravi

Could debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

Ford is expected to announce an updated version of the EcoSport crossover for the European market at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, two years after its European debut.

rear of the Ford EcoSport — In the redesign, the registration plate enclosure moves up to the rear door. Image of the current EcoSport used for illustration only.

The biggest change is the axing of the spare wheel on the rear door for a cleaner design, although we aren't sure whether if it's only for lower variants or throughout the range. With the absence of the external spare wheel, Ford designers are now free to change the rear fascia to better suit the overall design of the car. In places like Europe, rugged design elements like the exposed spare wheel are seen as 'brash' or 'garish'. Ford could be addressing this by removing the exposed spare wheel from the car.

The registration plate enclosure has been moved up from the bumper to the rear door, and the rear bumper gets a mild design alteration to mask the missing number plate holder. It remains to be seen whether the boot space of the EcoSport is affected, as the spare wheel will invariably be placed inside.

Ford EcoSport boot at the 2014 Moscow Motor Show — The boot space is likely to reduce with the wheel moving inside.

Even before Ford can carry out this exercise of removing the spare wheel, an owner in Brazil already carried out the design change earlier this year. The owner-modified EcoSport bears striking resemblance to the test mule spotted in Europe.

Also read: 2015 Ford Endeavour to be revealed on November 14

The 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 123 hp, a 110 hp 1.5-liter petrol engine, and a 1.5-liter diesel engine that outputs 90 hp would continue to be offered on the Fiesta-based crossover.

The spyshots of the EcoSport without the spare wheel can be viewed here.