Ford EcoSport: official pictures of new baby SUV

By Jez Spinks | April 26th, 2012

FIND DEALS

The production version of the Ford EcoSport has been unveiled at the 2012 Beijing motor show, revealing the look of the new pint-sized SUV that will reach Australian showrooms in 2013.

Ford’s smallest SUV is based on the Fiesta city car and differs only in subtle ways to the concept vehicle that previewed the EcoSport at January’s Delhi Auto Expo.

Key changes include clear rather than opaque glass for the windows and production-realistic headlamps and tail-lights.

The spare wheel housing hanging on the swing-out rear door is retained, as well as the tri-section version of Ford’s trapezoidal grille that was inspired by Ford Australia’s 2011 update of the locally built Ford Territory.

Pictures also show the interior of the Ford EcoSport for the first time.

The EcoSport’s cabin is clearly related to the interior of the Fiesta that the SUV shares its platform with.

Shared parts include the main dash console that’s inspired by a Nokia mobile phone, Scuba mask-style instrument binnacle, door switches and steering wheel.

The front dash architecture, however, is taller than the Fiesta’s, reflecting the EcoSport’s higher-riding nature. This is complemented by an elevated seating position.

There are also different design executions for the heating and ventilation controls, (LCD) dash display screen and air vents.

Ford says the EcoSport, which will be built in India, features high-quality, soft-touch fabrics, which would give it another point of difference over the Fiesta that’s assembled with cheaper, harder plastics.

The EcoSport accommodates up to five people and includes a rear seat with recline adjustment. There’s also a storage drawer under the front passenger seat to bolster the interior’s practicality.

The Ford EcoSport is expected to start somewhere between $20,000 and $25,000, keeping it suitably positioned below the upcoming, larger 2013 Ford Kuga SUV and in proximity to rivals such as the Nissan Dualis.

Australian specifications won’t be revealed until closer to the EcoSport’s local launch, though features available for the range will include keyless entry and engine start, hill-start assist, rear parking sensors, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, electric windows and side mirrors, and Ford’s SYNC multimedia system with voice control.

On the safety front, front airbags are standard for the model unveiled in China, with optional side curtain airbags that would be expected to be standard on Australian versions – along with electronic stability control.

A 1.0-litre direct injection, turbocharged ‘EcoBoost’ three-cylinder will be among the engine options for the Ford EcoSport in Australia.

The tiny engine, which boasts a block the size of a piece of A4, produces 88kW of power, with 170Nm of torque delivered handily from as low as 1300rpm up to 4500rpm.

Power is sent to the front wheels via a standard five-speed manual or an optional six-speed dual-clutch auto. Ford says an all-wheel-drive version of the EcoSport is only likely if there is sufficient global customer demand.

Ford Australia is also considering a 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder and 1.5-litre turbo diesel for the EcoSport that measures just over four metres in length.

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Lucii Pooky

Sorry Ford, but that looks cheap, bloated and simply awful! I hope its cheap considering its being made in India otherwise the upcoming Opel Mokka and current Dualis will outsell it.
- Sumpguard
  
  Yep it’s aweful. From front on it looks like a constipated blowfish.
- AG4
  
  It will also be made in Thailand (like the current Asia-Pacific Fiesta)
- Kampfer
  
  Hummm… remain me the Daihatsu Terios…
carl

I like this alot, it still has a very strong stance in it’s design.
ryan bane

you guys seem to be struggling with the concept of a 2L ecoboost Falcon, can you really comprehend a 1L 3 cylinder Ford SUV? ;0)
Henry Toussaint

I think I know why they put the wheel on the back…the boot’s not big enough to fit a full size, which could be a sign that the boot will be small…
- AG4
  
  Thats probably one of the reasons too since its body is more of a hatchback than a wagon, the other reason I guess is to make room for the rear differential since a 4WD model might be introduced in the future.
  The soon to be replaced current generation EcoSport in Brazil is based on the platform of the previous Fiesta & Fusion tall hatch and this has a 4WD option.
  
  Cargo space for the 2013 EcoSport with the rear seats in place is 346 liters.
Blair Waldorf

this thing is seriously ugly. The proportions are all off, it’s hideous! And that interior screams cheap. Ford what happened? Atleast the 3 cylinder EcoBoost is a great engine…
Marcuspetraska

so its kind of like a CrossPolo – offroad styling but only frontwheeldrive – hopeless…
Bigbird

I don’t mind it, but I don’t love it. The big mouth takes over the front end. Between the bonnet lip and the lower intake, there’s a bit too much going on for a small SUV, IMO.
The spare on the back is a trait for these types of vehicles so I think that’s fair game.
I can’t help but think it was inspired by Bender from Futurama.
atd

Ford styling is really getting boring. Its not even clean looking like vw etc. too many angles and shapes. All models copy the mondeo design style which has been around long enough already.
Bgg

Fords look goon on paper, but seriously their build quality & fit n finish is really sub par..

Even their performance, their numbers are somewhat inflated..
- Jabba
  
  Can you give some examples?
  - Bgg
    
    Ford focus
    
    The exterior build quality is poor, panels have very wide gaps, cheap looking paint and sheet metal
    
    The car will hold up poorly, just like every other ford ever made..
    - Jabba
      
      We have an LT in the family and don’t have any of the subjective generic issues you state.
      Nothing has fallen off, panel gaps are average for a mass produced vehicle of at it’s age and price point.
      
      Cheap looking paint and sheet metal? They look like panel and paint, how does one define cheap looking?
      
      Car is 5 years old and done 130,000kms, holding up just fine.
      Thanks for the ‘warning’, but I’ll be buying an Ecosport as soon as they are released.
Hr1

Seriously 1.0L, 3cyl?..

I’d love to load this up the cargo space, with 5 passengers & A/C running.. And see how efficient this actually is..
- AG4
  
  To be more specific, its a “Turbocharged” 1.0L 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine that produces 88 kW of power and 170 Nm of torque for this Fiesta-based crossover SUV.
  For comparison the 1.6L engine of the Fiesta makes 89 kW of power and 151 Nm of torque.
  
  That’s 1 kW less power but offers 19 Nm more torque at a lower rpm.
  - Hr1
    
    But would you buy one? Taking into consideration the long term ownership etc?.. Like longetivity of the engines, car etc..
    - MattW
      
      I wouldn’t by this particular vehicle, but I’d have no problem with any ecoboost engine. While not the 1.0L, guess you haven’t seen what kind of torture tests Ford did to one of the ecboost V6s? 150,000 dyno miles then a truck dragging logs, then 24 hours dragging a 11,000 pound trailer around a racetrack, then powering a F-150 to win its class in the Baja 1000
teslakite

It looks like a G6E Falcon that has been squuuuuished up and has somehow developed a triple chin in the process.
Sebastian, Style Messiah

Great looks Ford… Compare this to Toyotas and Hondas recent efforts… This is much better.

On the subject of baby SUVs I see them as no more that jacked up hatchbacks with high pricing.
- Sumpguard
  
  As a total non-fan of toyota’s I’d take the toyota. This thing is aweful. The toyota just bland.
Peanut

A Baby Territory !!!!!
If the Territory was the father, then who was the mother????
- NacaYoda
  
  A Mitsubishi Lancer, if I read the tail lights correctly.
  Or a Kia.
  I don’t hate it, but it doesn’t say “Ford” to me.
  - AG4
    
    That tail light shape has appeared on many modern Fords like the Mondeo, Kuga, C-Max etc.
Shak

Its as if Ford stuck the Territory in the dryer and then it started to melt and this thing popped out. It will probably drive fine and have reasonable value, but design is a big part of the equation, and after getting it so right with the re-designed Territory how could they get this so wrong.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Micheal-Riseley/505139725 Micheal Riseley

Don’t like it, don’t buy it, simple, most cars lately have had interesting designs that people either love… or hate, personally I think the design is good, it’s unique and it’s bold, it’s not the sort of car I’d buy, but I definitely think there is a market for it, and it will sell well.
mo

What’s the point in buying this if it isn’t AWD? It has no offroad capability. Why not just save money (and fuel) and get a hatch?
- O123
  
  Because the ladies love a higher ride height.
- AG4
  
  Its expected to get a 4WD option just like the 1st generation model sold in Brazil.
  The EcoSport is basically the baby brother of the Escape/Kuga.
Martin

Looks like it has the dimensions of a Terios. Don’t take corners too enthusiastically…
- Faeces Painter
  
  Don’t dis the Terios… I like cornering on 2 wheels.
Nik

The concept is correct. People like myself are looking out for a “light Suv” that has design, ergonomics, aero dynamic looksand purpose with combined power and economy.I dont mind the Ford design but the back of the vehicle does not seem to integrate with the overall fluidic lines with the rest; visually awful! Certainly it is better than the “new”mid size suv that Ford has brought onto the market which is excessively UGLY and over priced! The pricing on the new light Ford SUV Eco sport is much more realistic and affordable.
Poa

The concept of an SUV with no AWD makes no sense to me..

So basically you’re buying a heavier equevelance with worst dynamics lol
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Karl-Sass/100000921334936 Karl Sass
  
  Well put. Like for like, SUV’s always have worse fuel consumption then an equivalent wagon. Jacking the car up 50mm increases drag underneath the vehicle, and the higher centre of gravity obliviously makes it more susceptible to roll over (for example when hit in the side by another vehicle).
  The ‘safe’ feeling of sitting higher up is completely false.
  It’s like a normal car but with worse economy and dynamics, but still no off road capability.
  - Johnson
    
    ….not to mention bugger all storage space, poor driving dynamics and questionable safety when compared to wagon/sedan equivalents.
    
    Australia will keep buying them and I think I know why, it’s like the little fish that gets eaten by the bigger fish and on it goes. If we stick to normal cars with normal ride heights we cant see over the SUV in front of us, so we buy a high riding SUV so we can feel amongst equals. The cycle continues…..
    
    We dont care if they have 4WD or any off-road ability whatsoever, as long as they look purposeful.
    
    It’s like having fake testicles.
    - AG4
      
      It really depends what area you live in, the extra ground clearance is welcome in some places.
      - Johnson
        
        I’m sure it is, some of these car park speed bumps can only be negotiated in an Army Bushmaster. Concrete jungle ey?
- AG4
  
  The EcoSport was designed to have an 4WD version just like the outgoing model sold in Brazil
Nmonteith

I really hate these ‘high tech’ dashes from Ford and Hyundai – they will date horribly – in fact I reckon they already have.
- teslakite
  
  Yeah they look like the keypads of old Nokia cell phones. What’s wrong with normal square or circular buttons?
non troll

looks awesome, this will sell very well for FORD
Rocket

Must be a good girly car all the blokes hate it. Why bother commenting on a car you dont want to buy anyway? I think I just contradicted myself!!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1798737057 Gianni Matthews

The way they designed this was similar to the cayenne. Only this time they tried to put the BIGGER car (territory) on the smaller car. The back is too boxy. It wouldn’t look too bad if it sloped just a little but.. Still, the front based on the Territory, only WORKS on a Territory.
- Johnson
  
  Nothing works on a Territory
Frannk

I quite like it. Wouldn’t touch anything (cars or anything else) from india though for obvious reasons.
Tim

i would actually buy this for my first car
Randc

Ford Australia WAKE UP! I am looking for a Daihatsu Terios replacement. Ecosport is the right size vehicle, but front wheel drive – USELESS! Must have constant 4WD,min 1.5 ton towing with 150 Kg ball weight plus small fuel efficient turbo diesel 85Kw power and 250 Nm torque