Undoubtedly one of the most eagerly awaited launches from Ford for next-year (2013) is the EcoSport mini-SUV. This is not the first time it has dropped camouflages earlier too it was spotted many a times totally undisguised especially in Chennai, TamilNadu. Today an IndianAutosBlog reader named Rohan Patil, has spotted Ford EcoSport without any camouflages yet again testing on the streets of Pune.
From all the images, only rear portion of the car is visible yet interestingly we can see one of the pictures (below) clearly shows a petrol variant sporting steel rims with wheel covers and non-painted bumpers. With this picture it is evident that that a stripped down version of EcoSport with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine or a 1.2-litre petrol engine is undergoing development to help Ford to price the car competitively targeting at the likes of Renault Duster and Nissan’s upcoming SUV based on Duster.
But looking onto the current market scenario, it will be the 1.5-litre diesel engine, borrowed from the Fiesta sedan that will make up the bulk of the sales. The EcoSport will be available only in the two-wheel-drive form but the four-wheel-drive version is not expected for now. It’s not a large SUV, Ford has managed to make it smaller than 4-metre in length to meet the small car norms and avail of tax benefits, consequently deliver a lower price-tag.
The top-end model of EcoSport (Titanium variant) is expected to get a Fiesta like voice control system, 16-inch alloys, chrome grille, keyless entry, a cooled glovebox and rear parking sensors, and will have an electric power-assisted steering. A starting price of Rs, 8 lakh can really set the scene for the EcoSport’s dominance in its segment.
Ford introduced EcoSport concept model at the 2012 Auto Expo held at New Delhi earlier this-year, now the production version has been unveiled and it looks almost similar to the concept model. The test mules of the same first emerged in India, followed by China, America and recently Ford confirmed that the European markets will see the Ford EcoSport within next 18 months.
Checkout the video below the jump.
Also see – Spied – Ford EcoSport totally undisguised, yet again!
Source – IndianAutosBlog
