Review: Ford EcoSport

New Delhi, 28: Ford India's next big thing, the compact sports utility vehicle EcoSport, is all set to hit Indian markets, competing against the hatchbacks like the Hyundai i20 and Suzuki DZire. Reports suggest that SUV will be launched in June and will carry a price tag of around Rs 5.9-6 lakh, which is much lower than Renault Duster's launch price of Rs 7.19 lakh. The high-end variants of the model are expected to be in the range of Rs 9 lakh. The aggressive pricing of Ford's entry-level SUV is sure to challenge the dominance of already established players like Maruti and Hyundai and will set the tone for competitive pricing in the fast growing compact-SUV segment. Fitting perfectly in this segment, the EcoSport makes a good choice for the Indian consumers due its compact size, optimum ride height along with riding and handling of a sedan. The EcoSport was first unveiled in the concept form at the 2012 Auto Expo and is already on sale in Brazil and China. The potential of the steadily growing segment is immense and is already evident with the rising popularity of Renault Duster. Even other carmakers like Honda (with their new Earth Dreams diesel engine), Nissan, Hyundai and Chevrolet, are aggressively planning to tap into the segment with their new offerings. With EcoSport, the company is keen on replicating the success of the Figo, which had undercut Maruti Swift's prices by a handsome margin.The EcoSport will be powered by an efficient and highly acclaimed three-cylinder 1,000cc petrol engine called the EcoBoost that puts out a healthy 120bhp and 170Nm of torque with the help of turbocharging, which Ford promises will be highly fuel-efficient; and the 1.5-litre, 90bhp diesel, that is the same sported by the Fiesta. The petrol engine of ExoSport is a down-sized direct-injected, turbocharged petrol engine that offers the same output as churned by a 1.6-liter. The company also says the petrol engine uses up to 20 per cent less fuel than a traditional 1.6 liter petrol engine, yet it delivers the power of a 1.6, with full torque at just 1500rpm. The EcoSport will be offered in four trims and eight colours. Manual transmissions will be available in both petrol and diesel spec while the automatic gearbox will come only in the petrol variant. The EcoSport also comes with 200mm ground clearance.Given that Ford Ecosport has a similar platform as Ford Fiesta, the car will be only in front wheel drive, distancing itself away from the 4x4 option. The company says every detail, from its sleek profile to its rear tail light design, optimizes the aerodynamics to boost its fuel efficiency. Ford Ecosport says the car is designed thoughtfully to provide a classic driving experience even on the rugged Indian terrains as it is easy to enjoy driving when the 5-speed manual transmission allows you to move through the gears so effortlessly. It says it you prefer an automatic but still want the fuel economy of a manual, its dual-clutch, 6-speed PowerShift automatic transmission will deliver the both, with effortless gear changes.The car boasts of 346-litre boot space with the rear seats up. The top-end versions will have features like Hill Launch assist, keyless ignition, alloy wheels along with ABS and airbags. There's also the all-new Sync system with the stereo that connects to your Bluetooth-enabled phone or media player to play music, read text messages and, of course, make calls on voice commands.The EcoSport will also be available in diesel option. It will have the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged unit from the 2011 Ford Fiesta giving 90bhp and 204Nm of torque. The Ford duratorq engine is also one of the most economical engines in the segment offering efficiency of around 20kpl on highway runs. Both the petrol and diesel engines will be matted to five-speed manual transmission. Ford India is hoping good response from this SUV which has been ingeniously built on the award winning worldwide compact car platform (B2E), which is created in collaboration with Mazda who specializes in torsional rigidity and weight saving. In terms of designing, the Ford EcoSport will sport a hexagonal front grille in the front, which is the new signature styling already seen on the Ford figo facelift and the recently launched D-segment sedan Mondeo. The EcoSport's sleek angular headlamp console also looks nice. Thanks to the fared wheel arches and the roof-rails, the EcoSport gives a rugged feel. The taillight of the car gels well with the overall design. The spare tyre on the back gives the required bulk to the car which makes the SUV looks bigger than its actual size. Apparently for the Indian market, the SUV sports a refreshing and well-proportioned new design due to its upright posture, handsome ground clearance, high bonnet, chic roof rails and the sophisticated cladding. The SUV's bold stance is bound to give it the desired attention and respect it requires on the Indian roads. The EcoSport can do well both in terms of a sporty as well as casual car, for consumers who want something different and intelligent. Ford Ecosport has pillar less back windscreen and stylishly cut tail-lights. The company also promises the interiors of the Ford Ecosport to be stylish and modern, which is always the case especially when you are making a semi-luxurious SUV. The model can seat five persons along with offering ample space for luggage storage. The steering wheel will be leather wrapped along with carpeted floor. Overall on the inside, it sports a youthful style. The car will also have an AM/FM radio and CD player. Voice control and SYNC also sets it apart from the other SUV models. There will also be a digital clock on the centre console. The car will come with burglar alarm system, front passenger and side curtain airbags and inertial back seat belts. The company had earlier said it will produce the EcoSport from its Chennai plant. It also said the model would have 80 per cent local content. "It will be our second Global SUV Ecosport (to be rolled out from India). It will have around similar localisation levels of Figo and Classic...," Ford India President and Managing Director Michael Boneham had earlier said. The company has a manufacturing unit at Maraimalai Nagar in Chennai and has also set up its second plant at Sanand in Gujarat as part of its plans to have eight new products by 2015.The company is expecting a significant volume from the vehicle and expects it to be the game-changer just the way Figo was. With its aggressive pricing, Ford dealers expect to take away a few customers from the Suzuki Swift's base versions, which have a waiting period of over a month.