Ford unveils its new EcoSport
FORD has unveiled the new Ford EcoSport compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) that will deliver enhanced versatility and capability, more refined styling and sophisticated technologies for customers in Europe later this year.
The new Ford EcoSport for the first time offers Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive technology for improved traction on- and off-road, combined with an advanced new 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel engine, delivering up to 125 PS and optimised CO2 emissions.
Also available for the first time as a sporty, Ford Performance-inspired EcoSport ST-Line model, the new Ford EcoSport delivers driver assistance technologies including SYNC 3 connectivity, Cruise Control with Adjustable Speed Limiter and Rear View Camera.
Featuring enhanced dynamic, rugged and refined exterior styling, the new model is offered in 12 bold colours and offers even more personalisation options – including contrasting painted roof colour options that extend to the window pillars, upper door frames, rear roof spoiler and door mirrors.
A user-centric, upscale new interior offers a superior occupant experience with floating central 8-inch touchscreen, heated steering wheel and smart stowage solutions including an adjustable boot floor.
The new Ford EcoSport for Europe will be built at Ford’s manufacturing facility in Craiova, Romania, following a €200 million investment, and goes on sale later this year, joining the Ford Edge and Kuga SUV models in Europe. A new SUV-inspired Fiesta Active crossover model also goes on sale in Europe next year.
The SUV segment is the fastest growing in Europe. Registrations of SUV models grew by more than 21 per cent year-on-year to account for more than one quarter of all new passenger car registrations in 2016. Last year, Ford’s SUV sales in Europe grew by more than 30 per cent.
The EcoSport will deliver an optimised driving experience equipped with Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive. The technology is offered in combination with the all-new 1.5-litre Ford EcoBlue diesel engine and a six-speed manual gearbox, delivering 125 PS and 300 Nm of torque, with 4.5 l/100 km fuel efficiency and 119 g/km CO2 emissions.*
Intelligent All Wheel Drive measures how the car’s wheels are gripping the road surface and can adjust torque delivery up to 50/50 between the front and rear wheels in under 20 milliseconds – 20 times quicker than it takes to blink. The system seamlessly transitions torque between all four wheels and provides a more secure footing on the road especially in slippery conditions.
Ford’s all-new 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel engine is designed to deliver higher power for improved performance, alongside reduced CO2 emissions. The refined four-cylinder engine features innovative technologies, including:
* Low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation combined with water-air charge cooling for more efficient combustion and reduced emissions
* An integrated intake manifold for optimised engine breathing
* Low-inertia turbocharging for faster, more controllable turbo response, featuring rocket engine materials designed for high temperature applications
* A high-pressure fuel injection system that is more responsive, quieter, and offers more precise fuel delivery
A 125 PS 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel model with front-wheel drive and all-new, low-friction sixspeed manual gearbox will offer even lower CO2 and greater fuel-efficiency from mid-2018. Ford’s 100 PS 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine combined with front-wheel drive and all-new six-speed manual gearbox will be available from launch.