An SUV for the Urban World – Ford Reveals Fuel-Efficient, All-new Ford EcoSport in China

Ford has recently revealed the production version of the all-new Ford EcoSport and announced plans to build the compact, fuel-efficient urban SUV in China, in addition to India, Thailand and South America. EcoSport’s global debut at the 2012 Auto China in Beijing means customers in Asia Pacific and Africa will soon be able to choose an aspirational sports utility vehicle offering tremendous value. The Ford EcoSport offers a confident stance, a high driving position and robust character on top of the agility, manoeuvrability and fuel efficiency that comes with a compact footprint. It’s the perfect combination for the city – ready for work and ready for play. Within a contemporary design aerodynamically honed for fuel economy, the EcoSport is full of smart technologies, features and craftsmanship that offer customers more than they would expect in this segment.

With a number of powertrain solutions, including Ford's newest, most advanced engine the 1.0-litre EcoBoost™, EcoSport is designed to be a benchmark in fuel efficiency. It also offers the Ford SYNC driver connect system, which will be available on a Ford vehicle for the first time in India, with voice control and many other innovative features including a spacious and comfortable interior with new levels of craftsmanship as well as outstanding quietness and refinement.  “The Ford EcoSport reflects our commitment to serve our Ford customers in China and around the world with the cars, utilities and trucks they want and value,” said Joe Hinrichs, president, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa. “EcoSport delivers outstanding quality, great fuel efficiency with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, superior safety and really smart design with SYNC.”

The production reveal of EcoSport follows rapidly after the vehicle’s global preview in January at the Delhi Auto Expo as well as in Brazil, where Ford EcoSport was developed by a global Ford development team. In addition to production in Chongqing, the EcoSport will be manufactured in Camaçari, Brazil, Rayong, Thailand, and Chennai, India, and will be offered in nearly 100 markets globally. EcoSport joins Ford’s family of global vehicles on the B car platform, which will reach an annual production capacity of 2 million units by 2015. “The all-new EcoSport is designed and engineered specifically for customers in global growth markets using Ford’s global SUV engineering expertise and reflecting our commitments for quality, leading fuel economy, safety and smart technology,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development. “We’re delivering innovative products like this to drive our global growth.”

EcoSport Titanium

Ford is showcasing its top-of-the-line model, the EcoSport Titanium, on stage in Beijing, painted in distinctive Mars Red. A similar model is being revealed in Salvador, Brazil, as EcoSport’s global launch momentum builds. EcoSport Titanium has 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels and a chrome grille. Inside, EcoSport offers a stylish, modern and well-equipped interior delivering new standards of craftsmanship and quality. The cabin – spacious for five people and their gear – has been engineered to deliver outstanding levels of comfort and quiet operation for customers. In addition to Ford SYNC with voice control, the EcoSport on display showcased available innovative technologies such as Smart Keyless Entry, Ford Power Start, and a cooled bin in the glovebox. 

EcoSport offers advanced safety items, such as dual front airbags and side curtain airbags, as well as Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program. To take the stress out of driving, the EcoSport comes with an array of driver-assist features including Hill Launch Assist and rear parking sensors. Its agile, manoeuvrable chassis features electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) for outstanding steering response and improved fuel efficiency.

Beautiful, agile, modern

The new EcoSport is an affordable compact SUV that is ready for work and ready for play. It targets benchmark performance in fuel economy, driveability and performance to redefine expectations in the compact SUV segment. The new Ford SUV’s main characteristics were defined by consumers in all of the regions in which it will be sold. The design and flexible use are part of the new vehicle’s differentiated plan, which besides the agility and practicality for urban use, offers power and robustness for more adverse terrain.

The elevated stance and purposeful posture give the new EcoSport the appearance of a higher class vehicle. Its agile and contemporary lines convey confidence, refinement and an adventurous spirit, within a modern and smart package. All this contributes to EcoSport’s aspirational appeal. "The new EcoSport is full of personality," said J Mays, group vice president, Design, and chief creative officer, Ford Motor Company. "Customers around the world immediately recognise its capability and SUV robustness that is achieved with aggressiveness. It is friendly and it’s a vehicle that really makes you smile.”

Creative, Connected and Urban: EcoSport is Ford’s New Compact SUV with Smart, Innovative Technologies

Climate control and comfort

The all-new EcoSport offers an advanced climate control system, providing efficiency and comfort, including air-conditioning with pollen filter as standard. The all-new compact SUV features improved versions of creative solutions, such as the cooled bin inside the glovebox which can chill six 350ml cans when the air conditioning is activated, as well as a storage drawer underneath the passenger seat.

Green and efficient

Energy efficiency is one of the highlights of the all-new EcoSport. The goal set by Ford in the EcoSport’s development was to become the segment leader in fuel-efficiency with the all-new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost™ engine. The EcoSport’s fuel economy is further enhanced by the availability of the innovative six-speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission which combines the efficiency and driving dynamics of a manual gearbox with the convenience of a conventional automatic transmission. Efficiency is also present in every aspect of the vehicle’s design. The SUV’s body was specially developed, including the use of high-strength steel and new designs to optimize weight and fuel efficiency.

Friendly, inviting and smart interior

The all-new new EcoSport offers an inviting, comfortable and friendly interior for the senses. It stands out for its modern and agreeable lines, the use of materials with differentiated textures and by its high-quality finish. The soft-touch fabrics offer a choice of modern colors and patterns, specially selected to meet the taste of the customers, with leather option in some markets.

The high position of the driver’s seat offers good visibility and offer easy and comfortable access to the panel's controls. The compact SUV’s comfort is also evident in the ergonomically friendly seating with anatomical cut-outs and side bolsters, which support the body comfortably. The centre console's design also has its own personality. The center-mounted LCD screen and SYNC controls create a contemporary line to the package. The air vents follow asymmetrical cutaways in the panel for visual appeal and functionality.

Various convenient storage options are positioned for ergonomically friendly and easy access, increasing the onboard practicality and comfort.  More than 21 litres and 20 locations of occupant-oriented intelligent storage are available. The rear seat can be adjusted and reclined, which adds to the comfort. It also offers a quick fold-down system, facilitating its use, as well as safety hooks to secure child restraint seats.

Advanced Safety

The all-new EcoSport was designed to meet the strictest safety standards in the markets in which it will be sold. Its body was developed with design tools and advanced software to reduce weight, combining programmed energy impact absorption zones with an extremely rigid protection cage to protect occupants. The chassis’ stability and robustly built body with high torsional rigidness for occupant protection, 20 percent better than the previous model sold in South America, are part of the features which give the EcoSport the confidence of a true SUV.

The vehicle offers a comprehensive package of safety features including dual front airbags (for driver and passenger) and optional side curtain airbags to protect rear-seat passengers in rollover-type accidents. The pelvis bolster provides pelvic protection while the energy-absorbing side door trim provides thoracic and abdominal protection during side impact accidents. The EcoSport is also equipped with advanced active safety technologies such as Anti-Lock Brake System, Electronic Stability Program, and Hill Launch Assist.

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