Ford launches EcoSport at Rs5.59 lakh for base version

Ford India today launched the EcoSport, an eagerly-awaited compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) in the country. The sub-four metre compact SUV is being launched at a price tag of Rs5.59 (ex-showroom) for the base version and going up to Rs8.44 lakh for the top-end.

The EcoSport will pitch directly against the C-segment sedans, and will be built at Ford's plant in Chennai, from where it will also be exported to markets in Africa and the Middle East.

While the EcoSport was first unveiled in the concept form at the 2012 Auto Expo is already on sale in Brazil and China, Ford said it has been trying to localise maximum components to keep prices in check and this could probably explain the delay in the India launch.

Ford EcoSport comes in 10 versions with three engine variants, two transmission and two fuel options.

The EcoSport is powered by a tiny, frugal, extremely efficient and highly acclaimed three-cylinder 1,000cc petrol engine called the EcoBoost. Although the cubic capacity of the engine seems meagre, it produces 120 bhp of power and 170 Nm of torque with the help of turbocharging. This also means that it will be a lot more environment friendly as compared to most other vehicles in the segment.

The EcoSport's diesel engine version will be using the 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged unit from the 2011 Ford Fiesta, which develops 90 bhp and 204 Nm of torque. The Ford duratorq engine being used in the Fiesta is also one of the most economical engines in the segment offering efficiency of around 20 kmpl on highway runs.

Both the petrol and diesel engines will be matted to five-speed manual transmission, powering the front wheels. The top-end petrol variants will also be available with Ford dual-clutch six-speed automatic gearbox, which is currently available with the Fiesta.

The compact-SUV, however, will remain a five-seater without the option of adding jumper seats to the rear. This also means that the EcoSport will be solely for personal use and will not interest fleet car markets. The boot space of the Indian version should be somewhere around 350-litre – putting it at par with space in the C-segment sedans. Moreover, the rear seats can be folded 60:40 to increase space to 560-litre.

The tall-boy riding position means that entry and exit from the vehicle will be relatively easy.

The compact SUV segment is gaining popularity in India with the high ride position of SUV and the relatively easy handling of a sedan.

Renault Duster is the market leader in the segment at present and there seems to be enough room still as demonstrated by the lining up of new cars by manufacturers like Honda, Hyundai and even Chevrolet.