New-gen Ford EcoSport spotted testing; India launch in 2017

Ford was the first carmaker to launch a sub-4 meter SUV in India with the EcoSport, as the car still remains to be one of the most powerful competitors in the segment. Ford’s most popular offering in the sub-continent, the EcoSport received an update last year; but the changes were limited to minor cosmetic additions while the mechanicals also continued to be the same. 

In wake of the increasing competition, with the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Mahindra Nuvosport joining the race recently, Ford has realised the need to up the ante. The American automaker seems to be plotting its next move with a new generation of the compact SUV. The 2017 Ford EcoSport was spotted testing in the US recently and is also expected to be launched in India sometime next year.

In all honesty, the front fascia speaks of a similar story to its predecessor, with slightly redesigned headlamps and a freshly moulded bumper. The familiar-looking hexagonal front grille is carried forward in the next gen EcoSport while it also rests on a set of alloys akin to the outgoing model. 

More significant changes are expected on the rear of the 2017 Ford Ecosport; that was heavily camouflaged in the spy shots. Earlier spy shots had also given a sneak peek of the updated interiors on the new-gen compact SUV. A revised steering wheel and a new centre console with coloured display are set to be a part of the renewed cabin. 

Mechanically, not many changes have come to the fore yet. But given the popularity of its engine options – the 1.5-litre petrol, the 1.5-litre diesel, and Ford's award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost powerplant, the 2017 Ford EcoSport is expected to retain the same line-up.

The aggressively-priced Maurti Suzuki Vitara Brezza had forced Ford to heavily slash the prices on the EcoSport earlier this year. The new generation could thus expected to be also priced under the Rs 7 lakh mark for the base variant. 

Image Source: TFL Car