Ford EcoSport

Is the Ford EcoSport with its high and wide go-anywhere stance with the exterior package being clothed in SUV-style sheet metal and yet drives like a front wheel drive hatchback? We take it for a nice spin around Goa to give you a more in-depth analysis

Nothing better suggests the very concept and build of the newest Ford in India than the spanking EcoSport which is ready for a mid-June launch, more than a year and a half after we first saw a full size mock-up at the last Auto Expo. It hasn't always been to Ford's great strength in using its SUV-experience in the US to try and develop an SUV-ish vehicle for emerging markets and even though it did try once to come close with the Fusion, the smallish alter-hatch flattered only to be deceived on the pricing front. Mind you the Fusion was delightful but priced out of reach and this impacted and/or signified most moves Ford has made in India so far. But then this is not about Fusion or the past but about a new move forward and thus EcoSport. First off the very basic aspect of the visual is the strong retention to the original concept and here Ford certainly has broken new ground for a car that has much riding on it. Never before did Ford ever launch an all-new car in India (well we could be forgiven for saying this but then this car is also made in Brazil) but this time round the timing and the basic proposition are spot-on, even though we do not as yet know the...read more »

If you want the best diesel compact SUV on offer in India, which one would you go for? The choices aren't many but the fight for the crown is close, so we break it down for you in this comparison test

The 1.5-litre 3-cylinder motor will be manufactured locally at Ford's Sanand plant, possibly along with a smaller 1.2-litre unit from the Dragon family

Ford's blockbuster, the EcoSport, is all set to get itsfirst major facelift this festive season. The timing couldn't have been any more apt as the Maruti Suzuki Brezza continues to sit on the sub 4-metre throne it snatched from the baby SUV, and there's more danger looming in the form of the upcoming Tata Nexon. But, it seems like the Blue Oval gang is game for a proper slugfest. We've got word that the facelift of Ford's EcoSport will pack an all-new engine. Now, the compact-SUV is already available with a host of engines ranging from a peppy 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol to a torquey 1.5-litre diesel. Looks like onlythe diesel motor will survive, as petrol duties will be taken over by new engines from Ford's "Dragon" family. First of which is a 130PS/153Nm 1.5-litre, three-cylinder unit that already does duty under the hood of the EcoSport in Brazil. It's available with a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic, both of which will be made available for our market as well. Also, unlike current Ford autos that feature (rather uninvolving) toggle buttons to manually shift gears, the new EcoSport will get a set of paddle shifters. There's a... read more »

It's been about four years since the EcoSport revolutionised the mass-market car segment in India. Here are five reasons why it could do that all over again.

Exports to begin with the recently unveiled facelift