Subcompact crossover SUVMotor vehicle
The Ford EcoSport (pronounced Eh-koh-sport)[1] is a subcompact crossover SUV (B-segment) manufactured by Ford between 2003 and♣ 2023.
The first-generation model was developed and built in Brazil by Ford Brazil since 2003, at the Camaçari plant.
The second-generation model♣ was launched in 2012, which was assembled in factories in India, Thailand, Russia and Romania.
[2] The vehicle entered the North♣ American market for the first time in 2018, until its discontinuation after the 2022 model year.
Throughout its existence, the EcoSport♣ shares its platform with the Fiesta.
First generation (BV226; 2003) [ edit ]Motor vehicle
Rear view (1st generation)
The first generation EcoSport was♣ designed by Ford Brazil Development Center under the program code BV226, and the codename "Amazon Project".
It is based on the♣ European Fiesta and Fusion MPV, sharing the same Ford B3 platform.
The EcoSport became one of Ford's best-seller models in Brazil,♣ consistently appearing on the twenty best selling vehicles.
It was also popular in Argentina, Venezuela, and Mexico.
Its main competitors were the♣ Fiat Palio Adventure and Volkswagen CrossFox.
In 2011, cumulative sales reached 700,000.[3]
Versions and engines [ edit ]
The EcoSport was available with♣ five inline-four engines:Zetec-Rocam 1.
0 L gasoline 8v supercharged, 70 kW (95 PS) (discontinued in 2006)Zetec-Rocam 1.
6 8v gasoline/ethanol, 82 kW♣ (111 PS)Duratec 2.
0 L gasoline 16v 107 kW (145 PS)Duratorq 1.
4 L TDCi Diesel, 50 kW (68 PS) (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♣ [ edit ]Mid-cycle facelift
At the end of 2007, a mid-cycle 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 were♣ the rear lights, both bumpers, and the interior with a new dashboard using better quality materials.
Mexico [ edit ]
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.
Second generation (B515; 2012) [ edit ]Motor vehicleRear view
The second-generation EcoSport was developed under Ford's♣ global product development process in Ford Brazil Development Center.
Designated under the project code B515 and the model code BK in♣ Australia,[7] it was based on the Fiesta B2E platform.
The second-generation EcoSport was first showcased as a concept at the 2012♣ New Delhi Auto Expo, in India on 4 January 2012,[8] and was launched in Brazil on 14 July 2012.[9]
Ford showed♣ the production variant of the Ford EcoSport in China, planning to begin sales in March 2013.
In addition to China, the♣ vehicle was also made at Ford India's Chennai plant, for domestic sale and export initially to the European, and by♣ 2018, the North American, markets.
Ford's Rayong plant in Thailand produced the EcoSport for Southeast Asian markets.[4][10]
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.
[11] In November 2016, Ford announced plans to supply the EcoSport from India to♣ the United States.[12]
In some countries, The EcoSport has 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.
[citation needed] The engine has Twin♣ Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) which contributes to the turbocharged engine's peak torque starting at 1,300 rpm.
[13] The EcoSport can♣ tow up to 700 kg (1,500 lb).[14]
In 2018, Ford ended passenger cars production in Thailand, effectively ending EcoSport production.
Ford continues♣ to build pickup trucks and its SUV derivative in the country.
[15] In 2019, Ford Sollers closed their factory in Naberezhnye,♣ Chelny (Russia) ending production of EcoSport in Russia.
[16] In 2020, the EcoSport was discontinued from Ford's Australia and New Zealand♣ lineup, with the European-market Ford Puma serving as its replacement.
In late 2021, Ford ended production of the EcoSport in India,[17]♣ and in Vietnam in early 2022.[18]
On 11 January 2021, Ford announced to shutter three production plants in Brazil as part♣ of cost-saving measures.
As a result, production of the EcoSport in Brazil was ceased at immediate effect, with the car discontinued♣ in Brazil, alongside the Ka (Figo) and Troller T4.[19]
Powertrains [ edit ]
Engines available include the 1.
0-litre EcoBoost developed at Ford's♣ Dunton Technical Center in the UK.
It is a turbocharged, cast aluminium block three cylinder made in a 74 kW (99♣ hp) and 88 to 92 kW (118 to 123 hp) version, with the latter delivering a peak torque of 170♣ N⋅m (130 lbf⋅ft) from 1,300–4,500 rpm and 200 N⋅m (150 lbf⋅ft) on overboost.
The use of aluminium for the engine block♣ instead of cast-iron improved engine warm-up time by 50 percent.
The three-cylinder engine design causes inherent vibrations, which are countered by♣ a deliberately unbalanced flywheel, which has less friction than balance shafts.
The exhaust manifold is cast into the cylinder head, reducing♣ engine warm up time.
The engine block's height and width dimensions are comparable to an A4 size sheet of paper.
This EcoSport♣ version was available in China, Europe, India, the United States, but not Brazil.
The Brazilian EcoSport has a 1.
6 litre petrol♣ engine, which produces 113 bhp (84 kW) and 115 lb⋅ft (156 N⋅m) torque.
The Russian EcoSport comes with two different engines:♣ a 1.
6-litre, which produces 122 bhp (90 kW) and 148 Nm, and a 2.
0-litre, which produces 140 bhp (90 kW)♣ and 186 Nm.The 2.
0-litre 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-litre EcoBoost engine, the Chinese and the Indian market♣ also get a 1.
5-litre Ti-VCT petrol engine, which produces 108 bhp (81 kW) and 140 Nm (103 lb.ft).
The EcoSport also♣ has a 1.
5-litre TDCi BS6 diesel engine that outputs 98 bhp (73 kW) power at 3,750 rpm and 215 N⋅m♣ (159 lbf⋅ft) of torque at 1,750-2,500 rpm.
[20]Marketing [ edit ]India [ edit ]
The Indian market was among the first few♣ to receive EcoSport.
[21] The car was manufactured at Ford India's Chennai plant, available in Six trims (Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, Titanium+,♣ Sports & Thunder edition) with the choice of two engine options, 1.
5-litre Ti-VCT Dragon series petrol engine and 1.
5-litre TDCi♣ diesel engine.
The engines are available with five speed manual and only petrol engine available with 6-speed torque converter transmission.[22] The♣ 1.
0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine has been dropped after the vehicle has been upgraded to meet the BS6 emission compliance norms.
In♣ 2017, the facelifted EcoSport contains 80% Indian parts.[23]Japan [ edit ]
At its introduction internationally, it was also made available in♣ Japan, as the smallest companion to the Ford Kuga and the Ford Explorer.
[24] 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 and 1.
5-litre engines provide♣ the opportunity for Japanese customers to save on the annual Japanese road tax obligation.
Europe [ edit ]
Ford launched the EcoSport♣ in Europe during 2014, with a limited first batch of 500 units arriving in the first quarter of the year.
[25]♣ 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.
[26] 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.
[27] In March 2016, it was announced that the Ford EcoSport would 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 happened on the background of the growing market for the SUV segment in Europe, and would bring an♣ investment of €200 million to the factory.[28]Safety [ edit ]
The Ford EcoSport has Ford SYNC driver connect system, a command♣ system codeveloped with Microsoft.
It also has airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability program (ESP), electric power assisted steering (EPAS), and♣ Hill Launch Assist, Traction control System (TCS) and rear parking sensors.
The EcoSport in its most basic Latin American configuration received♣ 4 stars for adult occupants and 3 stars for toddlers from Latin NCAP in March 2013.[29]
The updated EcoSport in its♣ most basic Latin American configuration received 5 stars for adult occupants and 3 stars for toddlers from Latin NCAP in♣ November 2013.[30]
The EcoSport in its standard European configuration received 4 stars from Euro NCAP in 2013.[31]
2017 facelift [ edit ]
The♣ EcoSport's mid-cycle updates were announced at 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show for the 2018 model year, including a revised front♣ end design, and a redesigned rear bumper.
The dashboard has an optional 8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system that supports both Apple♣ CarPlay and Android Auto.[32]
Sales of the EcoSport in the US market began in 2018.
Early models include the 1.
0 EcoBoost three-cylinder♣ turbo gasoline engine for FWD models and the 2.
0 four cylinder petrol naturally aspirated engine for 4WD models.
Both engines have♣ a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Australian-, Canadian- and US-market EcoSports, made in India, have the rear mounted spare tire as optional♣ on the base model.[33]
2018 Ford EcoSport (facelift)Rear viewInterior
2021 facelift [ edit ]
The EcoSport was due to receive a facelift for♣ the Indian market, but was cancelled suddenly as the Sanand plant will be closing in the fourth quarter of 2021♣ along with the Chennai plant in the second half of 2022.
As a result of that, a stop production of the♣ EcoSport was issued through Ford of India.
Additionally, all models that were due to be exported to Argentina, Mexico, Canada, and♣ the US have all been cancelled as well, however, the EcoSport will still be sold in Europe and will be♣ built at facility in Romania.
[34][35][36][37] Its Indian production restarted on 24 September 2021 for 2 years.[38]
Discontinuation [ edit ]
The EcoSport♣ was discontinued in the US and India in mid-2022, due to decreased sales and Ford ending manufacturing in India.
[36] In♣ the US market, the new entry level model will be the Ford Maverick pickup truck.
The EcoSport remained on sale in♣ the Mexican market until 2022.
Sales [ edit ]
