New Ford EcoSport To Feature 1.5-Litre Dragon Engine

Ford's blockbuster, the EcoSport, is all set to get its first major facelift this festive season. The timing couldn't have been any more apt as the Maruti Suzuki Brezza continues to sit on the sub 4-metre throne it snatched from the baby SUV, and there's more danger looming in the form of the upcoming Tata Nexon. 

But, it seems like the Blue Oval gang is game for a proper slugfest. We've got word that the facelift of Ford's EcoSport will pack an all-new engine. Now, the compact-SUV is already available with a host of engines ranging from a peppy 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol to a torquey 1.5-litre diesel. Looks like only the diesel motor will survive, as petrol duties will be taken over by new engines from Ford's "Dragon" family. 

First of which is a 130PS/153Nm 1.5-litre, three-cylinder unit that already does duty under the hood of the EcoSport in Brazil. It's available with a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic, both of which will be made available for our market as well. Also, unlike current Ford autos that feature (rather uninvolving) toggle buttons to manually shift gears, the new EcoSport will get a set of paddle shifters. 

There's a 1.2-litre, three-pot under development as well, which could not only power the EcoSport, but also be the mainstay for the Figo and the Aspire. While details are scarce, we're expecting this petrol motor to churn out close to 90 horses. Transmission options for the smaller engine are likely to be limited to a 5-speed manual. That said, there's no official communication from Ford about the same. 

The EcoSport enjoyed a clean run in the compact-SUV space before Maruti Suzuki decided to play party-pooper. The redesigned face, funky interiors and the new engine(s) look promising on paper. It remains to be seen if the EcoSport can take its crown back!