The enhanced Ford EcoSport SUV, offering styling upgrades, improved driving dynamics and new equipment is available to order for October delivery.
Customers can now specify the EcoSport compact SUV without a rear-mounted spare wheel. Interior improvements include standard partial leather seats for Titanium models and additional chrome detailing.
Convenience and comfort are also enhanced with a Winter Pack – featuring heated windscreen, heated mirrors and heated front seats. EcoSport driving dynamics have been improved with revisions to the springs, dampers, rear torsion beam, Electronic Stability Programme, and Electronic Power Assisted Steering settings.
Prices for the enhanced EcoSport, available with Ford’s multi-award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, 1.5-litre petrol engine or 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine, start from £14,245.
“The stylish and practical Ford EcoSport offers customers a flexible and economical SUV and with these enhancements EcoSport looks and feels even sharper,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “EcoSport was developed in some of the most rigorous terrains and climates across the globe to make it an even more compelling option for customers as part of our growing European SUV range. In addition, the team at Lommel Proving Ground in Belgium have further enhanced the driving dynamics to make the new EcoSport even more fun to drive on European roads.”
Ford EcoSport models specified without the rear-mounted spare wheel feature a tyre mobility kit as standard, while the rear swing-gate design for those vehicles also has been revised to allow easier access to the bootspace with partial opening. All models now feature a distinctive EcoSport badge on the rear.
Inside, partial leather seats are offered as standard on Titanium models, privacy glass is available for all EcoSport trim levels, while the Winter Pack also adds rear seat ventilation at floor level to improve comfort for rear passengers in cold weather.
The restyled interior has a charcoal black lower instrument panel, centre console and door boards. The instrument cluster now features a light dimming function and chrome-surround rings to match the electric window switches.
All EcoSport models are equipped with Ford’s SYNC voice-controlled connectivity system feature a 4-inch colour display in the centre console.
Refinement has been enhanced with thicker sound deadening materials in the doors and dashboard, as well as tighter seals around the pedals. Engineand gearbox matching has been revised to offer more low speed torque and better drivability.
Significant improvements to the EcoSport’s driving dynamics are delivered following development work at the Ford Lommel Proving Ground, where 50 miles of test tracks include replicas of European road surfaces.
A stiffer rear torsion beam offers greater control of body roll, and revised spring and shock absorber rates improve damping. A 10mm reduction in ride height lowers the EcoSport’s centre of gravity for improved handling, and Electronic Stability Control and power steering systems also have been specifically tuned for European roads.
The 1.5-litre TDCi also now offers 95PS, a 5PS improvement, and delivers 64.2mpg and 115g/km CO2. The 125PS 1.0-litre EcoBoost delivers 52.3mpg and 125g/km CO2, while the 1.5-litre Ti-VCT engine delivers 44.8mpg and 149g/km CO2.* All engines now meet Euro Stage 6 emissions standards.
Further technology that will be available later this year for EcoSport for the first time includes satellite navigation and Rear View Camera that helps drivers manoeuvre the vehicle when in reverse.
The compact Ford EcoSport is part of Ford’s growing SUV line-up in Europe that also includes the mid-sized Kuga, and will be extended to include the Edge SUV early in 2016.
