Launched in 2013, Ford EcoSport has been a runaway success and certainly due for facelift, though it did received a mild update last year in India but it was more a headlines maker than full fledge facelift. The American automajor has been testing the facelift model for a while and now, the images of next Generation model have emerged online which hints the launch might be a few months away.
Spotted on the roads of China, the test mule is seen under heavy camouflage and it doesn’t have tailgate mounted spare wheel too. The mule hints that the new Gen model is likely to come with some cosmetic changes such as new hexagonal grille with tri chrome slat, new headlamps inspired by Endeavour SUV, refresh alloy wheels, revised bumpers and new LED tail lights with new graphics.
The 2017 model will come with revamped interiors including revised instrument cluster with new ambient lighting options and larger dials, advanced Ford Sync infotainment system with Applink, navigation and voice recognition, new multi-function steering wheel, automatic climate control, rain sensing mirrors to name a few.
The powertrains are EcoSport’s forte so it is expected to remain unchanged– three cylinder 1.0l EcoBoost petrol, 1.5l Ti-VCT petrol and 1.5l TDCI diesel engines. Transmission duties are expected to be taken care by the 5-speed manual and an AMT gearbox.
The car is expected to launch in India by early 2017 in the price range of Rs. 6.5-9 lakhs (ex-showroom) and will take on the likes of Maruti Vitara Brezza, Mahindra TUV300 and Mahindra NuvoSport and upcoming Tata Nexon.
