IAB reader spots the 2017 Ford EcoSport on test in Chennai
The revised Ford EcoSport gets a completely new front and dashboard.
Nishanth Kumar has spotted the 2017 Ford EcoSport (facelift) on test in the outskirts of Chennai. It is expected to arrive in showrooms across India in Q3 2017.
The EcoSport was spied from the rear which has been completely camouflaged, although there aren't as many changes as in the front. However, like the models in China and Brazil, the India-spec Ford EcoSport will have a tailgate-mounted spare wheel with a body-painted cover in top-end grades.
As mentioned, the changes are significant up front, featuring a bolder trapezoidal radiator grille flanked by larger projector headlamps with LED DRLs, sharp-edged triangular fog lamps, and rugged bumpers. Top-end variants will also get the 16-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels that aren't offered in the current model.
Inside, the Ecosport will have an all new, all-black interior with lesser button count, new three-spoke steering wheel, new instrument dials flanking a larger MID, redesigned centre console built with better materials, and sleeker central HVAC vents. Top-end variants will retain the 8.0-inch touchscreen system offered in EcoSport Titanium and Platinum.
As for the engine lineup, Ford India is likely to retain the current range of petrol and diesel engines, which include a 1.5L Ti-VCT petrol engine, 1.5L TDCi engine and the 1.0L EcoBoost engine. A 5-speed manual gearbox will be equipped as standard in all variants, while the 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) figures.
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To stay competitive in the segment, pricing of the new Ford EcoSport would have to be very close to the current version, which ranges between INR 7.18 Lakhs – INR 10.76 Lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi). It rivals the Maruti Vitara Brezza, upcoming Tata Nexon and the Mahindra TUV300.