Ford EcoSport buzz begins with contest to win an EcoSport

While buyers still wait with bated breath for the launch of the Ford EcoSport, the marketing machinery at Ford has swung into action in the run up to the launch of the EcoSport. The EcoSport’s launch is likely to be in April, but before that Ford has rolled out a campaign called “Urban Discoveries” which gives people the chance to win a Ford EcoSport. Update: Some dealers start taking bookings for EcoSport

The campaign is being positioned around the purpose the Ford EcoSport is set to serve – that of being an urban SUV. To take part in the contest, one needs to log into Ford’s dedicated “Urban Discoveries” site and register. You then need to put up a picture of a unique destination in your city and tell Ford how the EcoSport will help you get to it. Then get your friends to vote for you.

There are 35 people who will be picked and given a chance to drive and experience the Ford EcoSport. You can take a couple of friends along and showcase the EcoSport as well as your destination. If the jury likes how you portray both, you get the chance to win an EcoSport and be on a TV show. This contest is being held in 12 cities in India, which include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune and Ludhiana. Also read: Ford EcoSport to feature Sync

The winner gets to take home an EcoSport while his or her team mates get international holiday packages, and 10 supporters get iPads.

The Ford EcoSport is likely to be launched in both petrol and diesel variants, with the 1-litre EcoBoost engine being the talking point in the line up. This engine is a turbo-petrol, three-cylinder engine that puts out 120 bhp of power and 170 Nm of torque. The diesel will be a 1.5 litre engine with a five-speed manual transmission, putting out about 90 bhp of power. The Ford EcoSport still qualifies as a small car and hence this gives Ford ample opportunity to price it attractively, given that rivals like the Renault Duster are significantly more expensive. Also read: Ford EcoSport likely variants and features

Now, all we need is for Ford to launch the EcoSport.