Ford showcases India-spec EcoSport
Ford is currently showing the final, production-ready version of the EcoSport in select locations across 12 cities in India.
A launch date for the car has not been announced just yet, but the company has confirmed that it will commence bookings once the customer experience drive is completed in May, 2013 with first deliveries to commence in early June.
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The manufacturer however confirmed that the car will be launched in four variants with three engine options - the 1.5-litre diesel and petrol engines from the current Fiesta saloon and Ford's much acclaimed 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged 123bhp petrol engine, which will make its India debut in the car. All three engines will come mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.5-litre petrol will also come with an automatic gearbox option. The Ford EcoSport is expected to have at least 85 percent of local content when launched.
The cabin, although narrow, shares a lot of parts with the Fiesta and that's evident when you look inside. The front seats are comfortable with a high seating position. Plastic quality is also quite decent. The rear seats are quite flat but the cushioning is good. Despite its short length, boot space is decent. The carmaker showcased the Titanium variant, which comes with push-button start, rear parking sensors and Ford's Sync system.
The EcoSport will undercut the new budget norms for SUVs owing to its sub-four-metre length and the fact that all its engines fall under a capacity of 1.5 litres. The company is still in the process of finalising the car's price tag, but we expect it to be in the price bracket of ₹ 6-8 lakh.
The carmaker has announced that it will hold a customer experience drive with the winners of the EcoSport Urban Discoveries contest. Find out more about the contest on www.ecosportdiscoveries.co.in.
