Time flies. It’s 14 years since Ford Brazil was first in the blue oval empire to launch the EcoSport B-SUV and it’s done well here in South America.
Unprepared local competitors took until 2011 to match the little Ford and first was the Renault (Dacia) Duster. August 2012 brought the second generation EcoSport, the model that created the compact SUV segment, until then exclusive to Brazil.
Go deeper with GlobalData
But, in the last four years, competition has turned fierce and it was Ford’s turn to be steam-rollered by the competition. Now comes return fire.
That would be the 2018 EcoSport, launched here this week. What the automaker calls the fourth generation model has made its traditional debut here first, ahead of the other 140 countries, US included, that will get it eventually.
It’s really a facelift. There are a few exterior differences – at the front the grille and LED daytime running lights (from the intermediate version up) are new. At the rear the tailgate-mounted spare tyre [eventually made an option on Indian-built versions sold in Europe – ed], a dated feature, was retained on the grounds boot volume is just on the limit of an ‘acceptable’ 362 litres (12.8 cu ft). A clever rear seat folding system is also retained and the boot floor flat board can be placed in different positons for flexibility.
Ford has spent big on safety, mechanicals and the much-criticised cabin.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataInterior changes include new seats and much improved fit and finish with better materials and plastic mouldings. The dashboard is completely redesigned with multimedia screens up to eight inches in size available, larger than competitors’. The instrument cluster itself is delightful, a huge improvement and the digital control air conditioning is new, too. Unfortunately the large stowage tray under the front passenger seat has gone.
Safety equipment-wise, the latest EcoSport sets a standard among small-size SUVs manufactured in Brazil. There are now seven airbags, stability control (ESC) is standard across the range plus the top Titanium version has cross traffic alert, blind spot warning on the driver side mirror and xenon headlamps.
This is the first Ford globally to get the (announced last month) new 1.5-litre, 135bhp/116.5 lb-ft (on ethanol) I3 flexfuel engine which, in different states of tune, is destined for other small Fords worldwide, including the redesigned Fiesta. It delivers the highest power per litre of any naturally-aspirated engine on sale here in Brazil and is the best non-turbo, flex-fuel motor available.
The low vibration levels thanks to the counter-rotating balance shaft and other tweaks is surprising. The engine has also achieved top marks for fuel efficiency under the Brazilian evaluation programme.
The new 1.5 EcoSport is clearly superior to its predecessor with the old 1.6-litre, I4 Sigma engine. The two-litre engine option carrys over but now has direct injection, boosting power to 174bhp from 144bhp on ethanol, which it makes it the most powerful in the segment. Its response is lively from 3,000 rpm.
Having had problems with oil seals and other items in its dual clutch transmission, Ford is replacing it with more conventional gearboxes as model lines are redesigned. Like the new European Fiesta, the Brazil EcoSPort has a six-speed automatic, epicyclic gearbox in place of the previously used dual-clutch unit.
Front and rear suspension updates improved steering response.
Price is the trump card: BRL73,990/US$22,900 to BRL93,990/$29,400 is all but unchanged from the former model, despite the addition of equipment worth BRL5,000/$1,600 to BRL10,000/$3,200, according to Ford.
Ford Brazil again led this EcoSport’s development and it will be launched in China, next month, and India in October. Production for Europe has been transferred from India to Romania [effectively replacing the discontinued B-Max MPV – ed] and the Craiova plant, sixth to build the SUV, starts in December ahead of sales beginning in the first quarter of 2018. This time around, the US will get the EcoSport with sales also starting in the first quarter of 2018 of vehicles built in India.
