Exclusive: 2017 Ford EcoSport Unboxed In India

The new Ford EcoSport has been unveiled in India, or shall we say ‘unboxed’?! The massively updated car has received a huge facelift and made its debut in a novel way in an unboxing video that broke cover exclusively on carandbike.com. You can watch the video here. The new EcoSport gets brand new styling, lots of tech upgrades, a new engine and gearbox option and will have a formal market launch next month. The first thing you will notice about the new EcoSport is its bold new face. There is an upright trapezoidal chrome grille that will remind of the Endeavour’s and makes the car look bigger. Adding to that is a slightly raised and more muscular hood. There are daytime running lights now, and the fog lamps have grown in size and emphasize a redesigned front bumper. The bumpers in fact are raised and have not just a more SUV like approach and departure angle now – but also add to a more typical SUV-like stance too. 

Also Read: Ford EcoSport SUV Launched in India

The first thing you notice about the 2017 Ford EcoSport is the bold front grille

The roof rails have changed too but otherwise the flanks and rear will remind of the car you’ve been used to. And yes – unlike the pictures we have been seeing of the global model, India still gets the spare wheel fixed on the fifth door at the rear. The wheels though are larger in the top spec – 17” now unlike the 16 inchers previously. There is also a new alloy pattern. The boot now gets a two-level position for the floor, that can be dropped a few inches down to allow for more cargo room.

Also Read: 2017 Ford EcoSport Variants Explained

The 2017 Ford EcoSport also sports new alloy wheels

The interior is majorly updated too and gets a completely new dash design. The tiny info screen is gone and instead you get a big 8” touchscreen that dominates the central console. The big screen is only on the top two variants, while the mid versions still get a 6.5” touchscreen. It is the window to the car’s upgraded infotainment and connectivity suite too that works with Sync 3 now and also provides mobile navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Also Read: 2017 Ford EcoSport Features And Details Explained

Sync’s latest version is even more advanced and still lets you make phone calls, play music, etc. through voice commands. Just below the screen is a new climate control system with two rotary knobs and a digital display – available in all except the base variant. Just below that are two USB inputs with nice backlit surrounds. 

The Ford EcoSport now gets Apple Carplay and Android Auto

The car still lives up to its safety credentials with the top end getting 6 airbags. Dual airbags are standard, and all variants save the base one, get Ford’s Emergency Assistance system that automatically calls emergency services in the event of an accident. ABS or anti-lock braking is also standard. 

The cabin of the 2017 Ford EcoSport has been updated

The EcoSport will now be available in both the 1.5 litre diesel and petrol, and the 1.0 ecoboost has been discontinued. While the 1.5 diesel is the familiar motor, the petrol is all-new. We recently told you about this engine that Ford is making at its Sanand, Gujarat plant. The new 1.5-litre Ti-VCT is now a 3-cylinder and makes 120 bhp and 150 Nm of torque.

Also Read: All You Need To Know About Ford's New Petrol Engine

The new system allows each intake and exhaust cam to function independently which helps deliver faster throttle response and increases fuel efficiency. The bore and stroke ratio has also been optimised to achieve higher torque output, and is also more localized. The engine was internally dubbed as Ford’s new ‘Dragon’ series engine and will be exported to other markets for other models too.  

Under the hood is a new petrol engine which is good for 120 bhp

The new engine will be paired with either the familiar 5-Speed manual or an all-new 6-Speed automatic – that replaces the previous dual-clutch auto. The new gearbox also comes with paddle shift, and the AT variant also gets Hill Launch Assist, traction control and cruise control. The diesel only comes with the 5-Speed manual gearbox, with no plans for an auto.

The LED DRLs look pretty good on the new EcoSport

This new look car was first shown at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, but is only now beginning to make its market debuts worldwide in recent months. The US gets the EcoSport for the first time only in this avatar, and the car will be made in India for Ford’s home market. The EcoSport has already been a huge hit for Ford India, and even as sales began to taper off, a big price cut last year saw it bounce back to relevance. Sources at Ford say prices won’t be affected too much with the facelift, despite the equipment levels and new look. Ford will launch the car in November – which is when we will get the actual prices. The EcoSport will now have more arrows in its quiver to take on the competition, namely the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, the new Tata Nexon, and Mahindra TUV 300, more strongly.