Ford has finally revealed the EcoSport, a compact sport-utility vehicle--the American carmaker's newest One Ford global product.
"The all-new Ford EcoSport reflects our commitment to serve our customers with the cars and trucks they truly want and value," said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive of Ford Motor Company. "Our engineering team used their years of EcoSport experience to make every aspect of the next-generation EcoSport even stronger."
According to Ford, the EcoSport will be a key model in expanding the American carmaker's presence in major growth markets worldwide, including India, Brazil and the countries in Southeast Asia. Although primarily created in Ford's development center in Camaçari, Brazil, teams from Asia, Europe and North America also had a hand in making the EcoSport "to meet the needs of markets across the globe."
"The new EcoSport is a significant milestone for our global product development process," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president for Ford's global product development. "It proves that great small-car models for growth markets can be created in growth markets, using One Ford to leverage our global design and engineering expertise."
Looking like a Fiesta injected with growth hormones, the EcoSport's hardy character and strong stance give it the appearance of a larger vehicle while retaining the agility and practicality of a compact car. It features high ground clearance and integrated lower body cladding for robustness and it sports key SUV cues like the commanding driving position and signature spare wheel mounted on a swing-gate at the rear of the vehicle. Out back, the EcoSport comes with a large rear window, which wraps around to the sides and oblique shaped taillights.
Powering the EcoSport is Ford's all-new, fuel-efficient 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine that the carmaker claims offers the performance of a conventional 1.6-liter engine. It puts out less than 140 grams per kilometer of carbon dioxide emissions. Paired to a five-speed manual transmission, the engine is capable of producing 118hp and 170Nm of twist.
"The capable EcoSport is a perfect showcase for the advanced small-displacement petrol engine, demonstrating the strength and breadth of Ford's development and engineering capabilities," said Joe Bakaj, vice president for Ford's global powertrain engineering. "The 1.0-litre EcoBoost delivers great low-speed responsiveness, power, torque and smoothness. To produce an engine with such impressive performance and fuel economy clearly reflects our commitment to be class-leading in fuel economy around the world."
