Ford EcoSport bookings start in June; gets special tech

Now closer to its pan India launch, the much talked about five-seater compact SUV from Ford will be open for bookings starting June. However while the company’s revolutionary 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine has been projected for the longest time as the vehicle’s most unique selling point, the Blue Oval has now begun teasing Indian customers with special tech laden features and acclaimed efficiency figures that will make the EcoSport an even more compelling package in the eyes of the customer; a very spacious and capable family car that would be worth considering for a multitude of reasons.

At the top of the list is a potentially life-saving Emergency Assistance system that is already available in more than 5 million Ford vehicles globally. It is a vehicle-based, no-cost, non-subscription call-for-help system provided free for the ownership cycle of the vehicle. By delivering a critical voice message directly to emergency operators when it detects that the vehicle has been involved in an accident, it opens the line for hands-free communication.

Before initiating the emergency call, the vehicle’s SYNC system will provide a 10- second window to allow the driver or passenger to decide whether to cancel the call. If not manually cancelled within the 10-second window, SYNC will place the emergency call.

Ford’s SYNC technology besides doing its wizardry in the advent of an accident will also seamlessly connect with your mobile phones and digital media players that allows the driver to make and receive calls and play music from digital devices.

Added safety features on the new Ford EcoSport include ABS & Hill Launch Assist. However despite being labelled as a mini SUV, the EcoSport has an impressive 10.65m turning circle, low rolling resistance tyres for better fuel efficiency, which Ford is claiming is an ARAI certified 18.9kmpl with the 1.0-litre mill.

Once in India the sub-four-metre SUV will be available to Indian buyers in three engine options, which will include a 1.5-litre diesel, a 1.5-litre petrol and the revolutionary 1.0-litre EcoBoost unit. A total of 12 variants will all sell with the option of a manual transmission, while an automatic gearbox will find place only in the 1.5-litre petrol model in select trims.