Indian-spec & USA-spec 2018 Ford EcoSport spied on test near Chennai

U.S-Spec EcoSport will be manufactured and exported from India.

Team-BHP members have spied both the India-spec and U.S-spec Ford EcoSport testing on Indian roads with a full body camouflage. Although it's going to look largely identical to the model gearing up for India later this year, the absence of a tailgate-mounted spare wheel and that the driver is sitting on the left hand-side suggest that the test mule is based on the model bound for the U.S.

To be introduced in the U.S as an all new model and in India as a mid-cycle refresh, the new EcoSport features a bold trapezoidal radiator grille flanked by bigger headlamps with LED DRLs, sharp-edged triangular fog lamps, rugged bumpers, new taillamp graphics, 16 inch 5-spoke alloy rims (U.S-spec model appears to have 17 inch black-painted rims). The Indian-spec EcoSport will retain the tailgate-mounted spare wheel with a body-painted wheel cover in top-end models.

The dashboard is completely new, featuring a redesigned three-spoke steering wheel with plenty of buttons for the infotainment system and cruise control, horizontally-positioned central HVAC vents, large MID flanked by the new instrument dials. and an 8.0-inch Ford SYNC 3 system infotainment system in the U.S-spec model. The U.S version also gets a premium 675-watt B&O PLAY audio system, and BLIS with cross-traffic alert. A previous mule of the Indian EcoSport refresh was spotted with the SYNC3 system.

For the Indian market, the engine lineup is likely to keep the 1.5L Ti-VCT four-cylinder petrol engine, 1.5L TDCi four-cylinder turbodiesel engine and the 1.0L three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, all equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. A 6-speed DCT will continue to be exclusive to the 1.5L Ti-VCT. Expect mileage to be more or less similar to the current EcoSport’s 15.85 km/L (1.5 petrol), 18.88 km/L (1.0L EcoBoost), 22.27 km/L (1.5 Diesel).

Also Read: 2018 Ford Focus reveals its roofline and more in new spy shots

The U.S version will offer a choice between two petrol engines: a 1.0L three-cylinder EcoBoost or a 2.0L four-cylinder N/A, both paired to a six-speed automatic transmission as standard. The range-topping 2.0L version will get an AWD system as standard. It will go on sale in the U.S in early 2018.

[Source: Team-BHP]