Ford EcoSport

Ford EcoSport
Overview
Manufacturer Ford
Production 2003–present
Body and chassis
Class Subcompact crossover SUV
Body style 5-door SUV
Layout FF layout
AWD layout

The Ford EcoSport (pronounced ek-ho sport)[1] is a subcompact crossover SUV, originally built in Brazil by Ford Brazil since 2003, at the Camaçari plant. A second generation concept model was launched in 2012, and is also assembled in new factories in India,[2] Thailand, Russia and Romania[3]. The vehicle entered the North American market for the first time in 2017.

First generation (2004–2012)

First generation
Overview
Production 2003–2012
Model years 2004–2012
Assembly Camaçari, Brazil (Ford Brazil)
Body and chassis
Platform Ford B3 platform
Related Ford Fiesta Mk V
Ford Fusion (Europe)
Mazda 2
Powertrain
Engine 1.0 L Supercharged I4 (gasoline)
1.6 L I4 (gasoline)
2.0 L I4 (gasoline)
1.4 L I4 (diesel)
Transmission 5-speed manual
6-speed manual
4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,490 mm (98 in)
Length 4,228 mm (166.5 in)
Width 1,980 mm (78 in)
Height 1,679 mm (66.1 in)
Rear view (1st generation)

The first generation EcoSport was designed by the Ford-US Truck Vehicle Center (program code BV226) and was based on the Cologne-built European Fiesta and European Ford Fusion (not to be confused with the North American Fusion midsize sedan). Because of this, the project used the Ford B3 platform.

The EcoSport became one of Ford's best-seller models in Brazil (consistently appearing on the twenty best selling vehicles), Argentina, Venezuela, and Mexico. Its main competitors were the Fiat Palio Weekend Adventure and Volkswagen CrossFox. The EcoSport sold well, and in 2011, sales reached 700,000.[4]

Versions and engines

The EcoSport was available with five inline-four engines:

All models have front-wheel drive with manual transmission as standard. The 2.0 L model can also receive a four speed automatic transmission (FWD only) or four-wheel drive (manual six speed only). In the latter case, an electronically controlled system automatically engages the rear axle when front wheel spin is detected, and also lets the driver manually engage the rear axle from the dashboard.

Restyling

In the end of 2007, a restyling was introduced, which renewed completely the front to bring it closer to then current Ford pickups, as well as the contemporary Brazilian restyling of the Ford Fiesta, also updated the rear lights, both bumpers, and in the interior showed new dashboard using better quality materials.

Mexico

The Ford EcoSport arrived in the end of 2003 to Mexico as a model for 2004. The reception by the public was impressive and continued until 2006. For the model year of 2007, sales of the small SUV began slipping and it stopped being a hot seller. Compared to 15,000 units sold in 2004, only 10,000 units of the model year of 2007 were sold. This trend continued to worsen for the refreshed model year of 2008 due in part to a price increase.

Only 6,345 units of the model year 2008 were sold, and the model year 2009 sales through July 2009 were a mere 2,135 units. Due to decreasing sales, and heightened competition from the Ford Escape, Ford announced that a shortened 2010 model year would be the last sold in Mexico. However, a year later, Ford had announced the new EcoSport to launch in 2012 bringing back the EcoSport to Mexico after a two year absence.

Second generation (2013–present)

Second generation
Overview
Production 2012–present
Model years 2013–present
Assembly Craiova, Romania (Ford Romania)
Chongqing, China (Changan Ford)
Camaçari, Brazil (Ford Brazil)
Chennai, India (Ford India)
Rayong, Thailand (AutoAlliance Thailand)[5]
Naberezhnye Chelny, Russia (Ford Sollers)[6]
Body and chassis
Platform Ford global B-car platform
Related Ford B-Max
Ford Fiesta Mk VI
Mazda 2 (DE)
Powertrain
Engine 1.0 L I3 EcoBoost turbocharged (gasoline)
1.5 L I4 Ti-VCT (gasoline)
1.6 L I4 Ti-VCT (gasoline)
2.0 L I4 Ti-VCT (gasoline)
1.5 L I4 TDCi (diesel)
Transmission 5-speed manual
6-speed manual
4-speed automatic
6-speed automatic
6-speed DCT
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,519 mm (99.2 in)
Length 4,017 mm (158.1 in)
Width 1,765 mm (69.5 in)
1,696 mm (66.8 in) (Japan)
Height 1,650 mm (65 in)
Curb weight 1,314 kg (2,897 lb)

Initial release

Pre-facelift Ford EcoSport (Europe)

The second generation of the EcoSport was developed under Ford's global product development process. It was based on the 2011 Ford Fiesta B2E platform and it was launched globally. The second generation EcoSport was first showcased as a concept at the 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo, in India on 4 January 2012.[7] The car was launched in Brazil on 14 July 2012 at a starting price of 53,490 Brazilian real.[8]

Ford showed the production variant of the Ford EcoSport in China, planning to begin sales in March 2013. In addition to China, the SUV is also made at Ford India's Chennai plant, for domestic sale and export initially to the European, and by 2018, the North American, markets. Ford's Rayong plant in Thailand makes the EcoSport for Southeast Asian markets.[5] The Ecosport competes with the Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano.[9]

As of August 2015, Ford's Indian plant had already sold 200,000 EcoSports; 112,000 of which were sold in India while the rest were exported to South Africa, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, and Europe.[10] In November 2016, Ford announced plans to supply the Ford India Ecosport to the market in the United States.[11]

In some countries The EcoSport has a 1.0 l (0.22 imp gal; 0.26 US gal) three cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine which has a power output of 120 PS (88 kW; 118 bhp) and 170 N⋅m (125 lb⋅ft) of torque. The engine has Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) which contributes to the turbocharged engine's peak torque starting at 1,300 rpm.[12] The EcoSport can tow up to 700 kg (1,500 lb).[13]

There are the specification differences of wipers:

2012-16 LHD version:Brazilian-built non-standard flat wipers 2016-present LHD version:Standard flat wipers 2012-17 South American LHD version:Brazilian-built non-standard flat wipers 2013-present Indian-built RHD version:Conventional wipers 2016-present RHD version:Standard flat wipers 2018-present South American LHD version:Hybrid wipers with conventional wiper arms 2018-present North American LHD version (Indian-built):Standard flat wipers (butterfly setup)

Powertrains

Engines available include the 1.0 litre EcoBoost developed at Ford's Dunton Technical Center in the UK. It is a turbocharged, cast aluminium block three cylinder made in a 74 kW (99 hp) and 88 to 92 kW (118 to 123 hp) version, with the latter delivering a peak torque of 170 N⋅m (130 lbf⋅ft) from 1,300–4,500 rpm and 200 N⋅m (150 lbf⋅ft) on overboost. The use of cast-iron for the engine block instead of aluminium improved engine warm-up time by 50 per cent.

The three cylinder engine design causes inherent vibrations, which are countered by a deliberately unbalanced flywheel, which has less friction than balance shafts.

The exhaust manifold is cast into the cylinder head, reducing engine warm up time. The engine block's height and width dimensions comparable to an A4 size sheet of paper. This EcoSport version is available in China, Europe, India, the US, but not Brazil. The Brazilian EcoSport has a 1.6 L (0.35 imp gal; 0.42 US gal) petrol engine, which produces 113 bhp (84 kW) and 115 lb⋅ft (156 N⋅m) torque.

The Russian EcoSport comes with two different engines: a 1.6L, which produces 122 bhp (90 kW) and 148 Nm, and a 2.0L, which produces 140 bhp (90 kW) and 186 Nm. The 2.0L version of EcoSport comes as AWD with manual transmission, while the 1.6 litre is 2WD only but available with six speed manual or PowerShift automotive transmissions.

Along with the 1.0 L EcoBoost engine, the Chinese and the Indian market also get a 1.5 L Ti-VCT petrol engine, which produces 108 bhp (109.5 PS, 80.5 kW) and 140 Nm (103 lb.ft). The EcoSport also has a 1.5L TDCi diesel engine that outputs 90 bhp (67 kW, 91 PS) power and 204 Nm (150 lb.ft) of torque at 2000-2750 rpm.[14]

Safety

The Ford EcoSport has Ford SYNC driver connect system, a command system co developed with Microsoft. It also has airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability program (ESP), electric power assisted steering (EPAS), and Hill Launch Assist and rear parking sensors.

Marketing

India

The Indian market was among the first few to receive EcoSport. The car is being manufactured at Ford India's Chennai plant, available in four trims with the choice of three different engine options, 1.0L EcoBoost, 1.5L Ti-VCT and 1.5L TDCi. The engines will be mated with five speed manual, and six speed dual clutch transmission.

Japan

At its introduction internationally, it is available in Japan, as the smallest companion to the Ford Kuga and the Ford Explorer.[15] All engines, except the diesel are offered in Japan, with a five speed manual or six speed dual clutch transmission, and optional all wheel drive.

The 1.0 L and 1.5 L engines provide the opportunity for Japanese customers to save on the annual Japanese road tax obligation. The Japanese version has the width dimension slightly reduced to 1,696 mm (66.8 in) so as to comply with Japanese Government dimension regulations to encourage sales.

Europe

Ford launched the EcoSport in Europe during 2014, with a limited first batch of 500 units arriving in the first quarter of the year.[16] The announcement was made in September 2013, at the IFA exhibition in Berlin, and the first limited edition versions could be ordered on a dedicated website.[17] After disappointing sales figures in Europe in 2014, during which the Ecosport only sold 11,000 units against over 100,000 for each of its main competitors, the car was revised in 2015, to make it more suitable to European tastes.[18] In March 2016, it was announced that the Ford EcoSport will be built in Romania, at Craiova plant starting from the autumn of 2017, moving production for the European market from the current plant in Chennai, India. This happens on the background of the growing market for the SUV segment in Europe, and will bring an investment of €200 million to the factory.[19]

2017

2018 Ford EcoSport Facelift

The EcoSport's 2017 updates were announced at 2016 LA Auto Show, including a revised front end design, and a slightly redesigned rear end. The dashboard has an optional 8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.[20]

Sales of the EcoSport in the US market began in 2018. Early models include the 1.0 Ecoboost three cylinder turbo gasoline engine for FWD models and the 2.0 four cylinder petrol naturally aspirated engine for 4WD models. Both engines have a six speed automatic transmission. The Canadian- and US-market EcoSports, made in India, have the rear mounted spare tire as optional on the base model.[21]

References

  1. ↑ https://www.carkeys.co.uk/news/common-mispronunciations-in-the-car-industry
  2. ↑ "Ford Motor to launch EcoSport SUV at Delhi Auto Expo". India Today. 5 January 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  3. ↑ "Ecosport: SUV Ford made in Romania". Auto Bild. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  4. ↑ "Ford Ecosport Reaches Production Milestone of 700,000 Units in Camaçari". Ford press release. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  5. 1 2 Tabamo Dinzo (25 March 2013). "Ford Presents EcoSport at Bangkok Motor Show, Is Mum on Pricing". Top Gear Philippines. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  6. ↑ Ford Motor Company. "Ford Sollers объявляет об открытии модернизированного завода в Набережнах Челнах и запуске в производство Ford EcoSport". Ford Sollers Russia.
  7. ↑ Ford Ecosport unveiled at New Delhi Auto Expo CarDekho 15 March 2013
  8. ↑ Ford Ecosport launch in Brazil CarDekho 15 March 2013
  9. ↑ "Ford Ecosport". Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  10. ↑ Muntaser Mirkar (5 August 2015). "200,000 Ford EcoSports in two years – impressive indeed!". Motorscribes.
  11. ↑ https://en.ria.ru/news/201611261047858315-ford-import-cars-from-india/
  12. ↑ "All-New, Fuel-Efficient 1.0-litre Ford EcoBoost Engine for India". Ford press release. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  13. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 17 January 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  14. ↑ Ford Ecosport Engine CarDekho 15 March 2013
  15. ↑ Ford of Japan Archived 15 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine.
  16. ↑ "Ford EcoSport Launch Delayed In Europe To 2014". MotorBeam. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014.
  17. ↑ Carscoop Carscoop. "Ford Launches Ecosport in Europe with Limited Edition Model Available to Order via Facebook". Carscoops.
  18. ↑ Nick Gibbs. "Ford revises EcoSport to counter slow sales". Automotive News.
  19. ↑ "Ford to Build EcoSport Small SUV at its Craiova Assembly Plant in Romania Starting Next Year". Ford Media Center. 22 March 2016.
  20. ↑ 2017 Ford EcoSport Facelift Unveiled At LA Auto Show; India Launch Next Year
  21. ↑ "Ford's new EcoSport SUV will be imported from India" from USA Today (15 November 2016)
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