Ford EcoSport S to be India’s first ‘sporty’ compact SUV

Ford recently launched sporty variants of the Figo and Aspire, with the S badge. The same is set to happen with the EcoSport, which will soon be facelifted. The facelifted EcoSport S has already been spotted without camouflage in India, and the compact SUV will soon be launched.

The EcoSport S is the first compact SUV to get a sporty variant in India. The sub-4 meter vehicle will compete with the Maruti Vitara Brezza and the Tata Nexon. The EcoSport S will be launched with the 1.5 liter TDCI turbocharged diesel engine making 100 PS and 205 Nm. A five speed manual gearbox will be offered with this engine.

The sporty changes on the vehicle are expected to target the suspension department. Like the Figo and Aspire S, the compact SUV could have stiffer suspension, and this is expected to make the vehicle more fun to drive. Cornering is something that will improve due to the stiffer suspension, and the EcoSport S could be the best handling vehicle in its class.

Though the EcoSport S has not yet been spotted with the 1 liter EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engine, we hope that Ford offers the sporty S trim with this engine as well. The EcoBoost engine produces 125 PS and 170 Nm, making the EcoSport petrol the most powerful compact SUV in its class. Stiffer suspension will be something that the EcoBoost engined variant will greatly benefit from.

Cosmetic changes on the sporty variant include blacked out headlamps, de-chromed front grille, blacked out roof and tail gate spoiler, and sporty stitching on the seats. There may be other minor changes on the interiors as well. We’ll have to wait for the launch for more details. The facelifted EcoSport will be launched in India shortly. Prices are expected to start from 7 lakh rupees. It will be Ford’s most important launch of this year.

Via Team-BHP