The 2018 Ford EcoSport compact SUV will launch later this month into the fastest-growing new vehicle segment in the market, small SUVsc
THE SMALL SUV segment just got more crowded with today’s announcement that the Ford EcoSport will arrive here later this month. Ford will release pricing when the vehicle launches here on 14 December. Practical Motoring will be attending the launch, so, stay tuned for our first drive.
The new EcoSport borrows styling from the Ford Escape and rejuvenates Ford’s small SUV line-up with the brand claiming its urban friendly but with 209mm of ground clearance it won’t mind getting its tyres dirty.
The EcoSport is offered with two engines. The entry-level Ambiente gets a new 90kW/150Nm 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine which is mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission. The EcoSport Trend and Titanium, run a 1.0-litre EcoBoost with 92kW/170Nm and this engine is also mated to a six-speed automatic with paddle-shifters on Titanium.
Ford said the new EcoSport offers improved packaging over the old model, and the rear seats offer a flip and fold system which allows owners to fold the seats via a button; there’s up to 1178 litres of storage space in the boot.
The new EcoSport adopts SYNC3 which offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and owners will be able to stream music via services like Spotify. Digital radio is standard across the range. The entry-level Ambiente gets a small 6.5-inch touch screen, which grows to 8.0-inches wide in Trend and Titanium models.
Rear parking sensors and a reversing camera is standard across the range and offers proximity guides and dynamic guide lines. SYNC3 offers Emergency Assistance as standard across the EcoSport line-up, joining Emergency Brake Assist, Hill Launch Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution on all models. The EcoSport Titanium adds Blind Spot Monitoring System with Cross-Traffic Alert, as well as Smart Keyless Entry with push-button start as standard equipment.
“The Ford EcoSport brings a new, smart look to Ford’s expanding SUV line-up, but importantly allows Australians – who we know love SUVs – a compact vehicle that offers a raised seating position, interior space and overall flexibility,” said Ford President and CEO, Graeme Whickman.
“That’s why we’ve seen SUVs overtake passenger car sales in 2017, and we’ve responded to this with a broader range for Australians to choose from, with a new Escape, more Everest models and the confirmation that we will launch the all-new Endura in 2018.”
Ford EcoSport key features:
2018MY Ford EcoSport Ambiente
1.5L 3-cylinder with 90kW/150Nm
6.9L/100km (combined)
Engine and Drivetrain
- 1.5L 3-cylinder naturally aspirated engine
- 6-speed torque converter automatic
Exterior features
- 16 x 6.5-inch steel wheels with covers
- Full size spare wheel with cover
- Halogen headlamps
- Black gloss grille
- Black mirrors
- Black door handles
- Capless refuelling system
Interior
- Driver 6-way manual seat (fore/aft, up/down, recline)
- Passenger 4-way manual seat (fore/aft, recline)
- Rear 60/40 split seats with cargo management system (adjustable boot floor)
- ISOFIX child seat anchorage points
- Cloth seat trim
- Remote central locking
- Power windows with driver’s one touch up/down
- Centre console with armrest
- 2 x 12V power sockets
Dimensions
- L/W/H (mm): 4325/1816/1664
- Wheelbase (mm): 2519
- Kerb Weight (kg): 1319
- Bootspace, second row up/second row folded (L): 743/1178
- Turning Circle (m): 10.7m
Infotainment and Connectivity
- SYNC 3 connectivity system with AppLink and enhanced voice control
- 6.5-inch capacitive touchscreen
- Instrumentation cluster with 4.2-inch screen
- Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration
- Bluetooth integration
- DAB+/AM/FM radio
- Six speaker audio
- Two USB ports
Safety and Driver Assist
- Seven airbags, including driver’s knee airbag
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control (TC)
- Cruise control with Adjustable Speed Limiting Device (ASLD)
- Rear view camera
- Rear parking sensors
- Seat Beltminder system
- Emergency Assistance
- Ford MyKey
2018MY Ford EcoSport Trend
1.0L 3-cylinder with 92kW/170Nm
6.7L/100km (combined)
Engine and Drivetrain
- 1.0L 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine
- 6-speed torque converter automatic
Exterior
As per EcoSport Ambiente, plus:
- 16 x 6.5-inch alloy wheels
- Front fog lights
- Silver-finish grille
- Body colour mirrors
- Body colour door handles
- Black finish roof rails
Interior
As per EcoSport Ambiente, plus:
- Leather wrapped steering wheel
- Rear armrest with twin cupholders
Dimensions
- L/W/H (mm): 4325/1816/1664 (as per EcoSport Ambiente)
- Wheelbase (mm): 2519 (as per EcoSport Ambiente)
- Kerb Weight (kg): 1368
- Bootspace, second row up/second row folded (L): 743/1178 (as per EcoSport Ambiente)
- Turning Circle (m): 10.7m (as per EcoSport Ambiente)
Infotainment and Connectivity
As per EcoSport Ambiente, plus:
- SYNC3 with 8.0-inch capacitive touchscreen
- Satellite-navigation system with Traffic Message Channel
- Seven speaker audio
Safety and Driver Assist
As per EcoSport Ambiente
2018MY Ford EcoSport Titanium
1.0L 3-cylinder with 92kW/170Nm
6.7L/100km (combined)
Engine and Drivetrain
- 1.0L 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine
- 6-speed torque converter with steering wheel mounted shift-paddles
Exterior
As EcoSport per Trend, plus:
- 17 x 7.0-inch alloy wheels
- Full size spare wheel with cover
- Chrome finish grille
- High Intensity Discharge (HID) automatic headlamps
- Daytime Running Lamps (DRTLs)
- Power-folding mirrors with puddle lamps
- Front and rear bumper inserts
- Silver finish roof rails
Interior
As per EcoSport Trend, plus:
- Power sunroof
- Leather accented seat trim
- Smart keyless entry with push-button start
- Climate control
- Electrochromatic rear view mirror
- Centre console with sliding armrest
Dimensions
As per EcoSport Trend
Infotainment and Connectivity
As per EcoSport Trend
Safety and Driver Assist
As per EcoSport Trend, plus:
- Front parking sensors
- Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Rear Cross Traffic (RCT)
- Auto headlamps on/off
- Rain sensing wipers
A big improvement, especially the auto! This still suffers the stigma of the earlier model and the look is dated. Nothing less than good new model with a new name is required.
It will be interesting to see if Ford can “escape” the lousy reputation they have developed. I know someone with an Ecosport who is battling Ford for a permanent fix. When will we get lemon laws in this country? There is no local manufacturing to protect so why delay lemon laws?
I was going to say, weighs a lot for a small car. But it isn’t really small at all.
Good to see they’ve ditched the stupid Powershift transmission, it means you can safely buy one now – should you want to. I’ve said of the previous model you couldn’t make me buy one at gunpoint, but this one I’d probably consider (and then buy a Suzuki Vitara S Turbo instead).
It’s basically more or less the same weight than Focus I think. But that’s a poor choice of engines, they are so similar. Why not the 1.0 and the 2.0 turbo from the focus ST for a sports version