The Ford EcoSport (pronounced e-co sport) 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, being also assembled in new factories in India, Thailand and Russia.
Video Ford EcoSport
First generation (2003-2012)
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 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.
Versions and engines
The EcoSport was available with five inline-four engines:
- Zetec-Rocam 1.0 L gasoline 8v supercharged, 95 PS (70 kW) (discontinued in 2006)
- Zetec-Rocam 1.6 8v gasoline/ethanol, 111 PS (82 kW)
- Duratec 2.0 L gasoline 16v 145 PS (107 kW)
- Duratorq 1.4 L TDCi Diesel, 68 PS (50 kW) (export only)
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.
Maps Ford EcoSport
Second generation (2012-present)
Initial release
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. The car was launched in Brazil on 14 July 2012 at a starting price of 53,490 Brazilian real.
Ford showcased the production variant of the Ford EcoSport in China, where the SUV was slated to launch on 19 March 2013. In addition to China, the SUV is also manufactured at Ford India's Chennai plant, for domestic sale and export to the European market. Ford's Rayong plant in Thailand manufactures the EcoSport for Southeast Asian markets. The Ecosport stands in direct competition with the Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano.
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. In November 2016, Ford announced plans to supply the Ford India Ecosport to the market in the United States.
The EcoSport is powered by a 1.0 litre, 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 Ti-VCT (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing) which contributes to the turbocharged engine's peak torque starting at 1,300 rpm. The EcoSport can tow up to 700 kg of weight.
Powertrains
The list of powertrains includes Ford's newest, most advanced engine: the 1.0 litre EcoBoost developed at Ford's Dunton Technical Center in the United Kingdom. The 1.0 litre, three cylinder, turbocharged, cast aluminium engine comes in two versions: 74 kW (101 PS; 99 hp) and 88 to 92 kW (120 to 125 PS; 118 to 123 hp), with the latter delivering a peak torque of 170 Nm (125 lb·ft) from 1,300-4,500 rpm and 200 Nm (148 lb·ft) on overboost. Ford's decision to use cast-iron for the engine block instead of aluminium improved engine warm-up time by 50 per cent.
However, the three cylinder engine design causes inherent vibrations, which Ford overcame by incorporating a deliberately unbalanced flywheel. Employing the unbalanced flywheel conserves energy more efficiently than employing the more commonly used balance shafts to ensure smooth running. Additionally, an internal timing belt bathed in engine oil ensures longer life and even greater efficiency.
Lastly, to reduce warm up times and increase efficiency even further, Ford engineers cast the exhaust manifold into the cylinder head. The EcoBoost engine design is quite compact, with the entire engine block's height and width dimensions comparable to an A4 size sheet of paper. The EcoSport is available with this engine design in China, India, United States and Europe, but not Brazil. The Brazilian EcoSport is powered by a 1.6 L petrol engine, which produces 113 bhp (114.5 PS, 84 kW)and 115 lb.ft (156 Nm) of 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.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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 EUR200 million to the factory.
2017
The update for 2017 was unveiled in 2016 LA Auto Show. The car has 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.
United States models are set to go on sale in 2018, marking the debut of the EcoSport in the country. Early models include the 1.0 Ecoboost three cylinder turbo gasoline engine for FWD models and the 2.0 four cylinder gasoline natural aspirated engine for 4WD models. Both engines will be paired with a six speed automatic transmission. Unlike in other markets, the rear mounted spare wheel will only be offered as an option on the entry S model in the United States. The United States specification EcoSport will be built in India.
For the United States specification EcoSport, trim levels will include the base S, the value oriented SE, the sporty SES, and the fully loaded Titanium, each of which will be available in Front-Wheel-Drive (FWD) or Four-Wheel-Drive (4WD/4x4) variants. The Build and Price tool on Ford's website in the United States was launched in September 2017.
References
External links
- Official website (UK)
- Official website (U.S.)
Source of article : Wikipedia
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