Recently, Ford’s impact SUV - EcoSport - was spotted in the US wearing camouflage at the front and the back. This could only mean two things. The first is that the American carmaker is finally mulling introducing the compact SUV in the US market. The second is that the EcoSport finally gets a major update. 
From the spy shots and the rendered images, it is clear that the EcoSport will get new headlamps which are shaped similar to the ones on the Ford Endeavour. It is not clear what changes are in store for the rear of the car. 
However, what we know is that the new EcoSport will sport a larger grille shaped like the ones on the Ford Edge SUV, new fog light clusters and LED DRLs. While the European version of the car has ditched the spare wheel on the tail gate, the Indian and Brazilian versions of the car will continue to do so. 
On the inside, the dashboard remains quite similar to the one on the current car. But instrument panel does get a minor update. Gone is the tiny OLED MID screen. Instead, the facelift version will get a bigger TFT screen with similar graphics as the one of the Ford Endeavour. 
Engine options will remain the same as before. So you get the option of a 1.5-litre diesel with a five speed manual, a 1-litre EcoBoost turbocharged petrol motor with a five speed manual or a 1.5-litre petrol with wither a five speed manual or a six speed automatic.
The new Ford EcoSport will be unveiled at the 2016 Sao Paulo Motor Show in Brazil later this year. Expect the facelift version to make its way to India by the year-end.
The new Ford EcoSport will be unveiled at the 2016 Sao Paulo Motor Show in Brazil later this year. Expect the facelift version to make its way to India by the year-end.
The interiors now get a more sedated look and looks less premium in my opinion. However, it isn’t clear if these changes are only limited to the Chinese-version. The new interior now uses silver and chrome materials to make the cabin more luxurious. The infotainment system has undergone a thorough redesign. But it still doesn’t get a touchscreen unit. That said, I still like the older unit better with large buttons arranged neatly like a phone’s numberpad for all the controls. The AC vents in the middle sit lower than before, but the units on the side are the same.
If you peer closely at the exterior shots, you will be able to see the reworked headlights. But again, these changes might be limited only to the Chinese version. The rear end, like the Euro-spec model, loses the tailgate-mounted spare wheel as well.
The exterior looks a lot more elegant and grown-up now. But the fog lamp cluster looks a bit large when compared to the headlamps, right?
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