[naveen.raju]

Spotted the recently UK launched ecosport being tested near coimbatore. As mentioned in the UK spec sheet, it had this "privacy glass". The rear windshield and passenger windows were tinted (pretty dark tints). Also, it had the UK spec alloys.

Managed to take couple of pictures:

[Contrapunto]

I think there is enough market opportunity to sell both the UK version as well as the current one (EcoSport Classic ??). People can simply choose what they want. It will broaden the appeal of the vehicle. The revised suspension settings should be implemented across the board though.

Any idea what happens to the spare? Did they redesign the rear part of the floorboard to fit the spare? Or maybe a harness like we find in the Ertiga?

[Thad E Ginathom]

I very much approve of not having the spare on the back.

I noticed the competition from Fiat, in a car park, last weekend. I thinking, "very nice," until I caught sight of the back, wit this huge hinged tyre carrier. Not good. Just a few cars away was an Ecosport, looking very subtle by comparison.

[Rajiv0909]

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

Spotted the recently UK launched ecosport being tested near coimbatore. As mentioned in the UK spec sheet, it had this "privacy glass". The rear windshield and passenger windows were tinted (pretty dark tints). Also, it had the UK spec alloys.

Managed to take couple of pictures:

Attachment 1356323

Attachment 1356324

to each their own, I prefer the wheel on the back

[rajeev k]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I noticed the competition from Fiat, in a car park, last weekend. I thinking, "very nice," until I caught sight of the back, wit this huge hinged tyre carrier. Not good. Just a few cars away was an Ecosport, looking very subtle by comparison.

Had the Ecosport been launched without a rear mounted spare wheel, the Aventura would not have carried this contraption of structural work.

[naveen.raju]

Originally Posted by peterjim13

Does this improve the handling of the car ?

Without the rear wheel, it does look like a normal hatch from far. They might have done regarding the handling since the UK market didnt like the handling and the rear wheel.

[Sankar]

Originally Posted by peterjim13

So they are serios, but without the rear mounted spare, it looks like a tall hatchback. I never liked the looks from the rear even with the sparewheel, now this looks a lot more uglier to me.

Does this improve the handling of the car ?

It should. The spare wheel+tyre would weight around 15-16Kgs minimum and having this weight moved to a lower position on the vehicle would improve the handling. But this difference will only be appreciated by a few and the majority wouldn't notice it as their driving/roads don't demand it.

[rajeev k]

Originally Posted by peterjim13

......but without the rear mounted spare, it looks like a tall hatchback. I never liked the looks from the rear even with the sparewheel, now this looks a lot more uglier to me.
Does this improve the handling of the car ?

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

Without the rear wheel, it does look like a normal hatch from far. They might have done regarding the handling since the UK market didnt like the handling and the rear wheel.

Yes. Along with the spare wheel relocation, modifications were incorporated to improve handling. This is mentioned in the Autocar UK review of the 2015 Ecosport. Link

Sharper handling, more refined and better-looking. Still a bit rough around the edges, mind, but now good enough to be a class contender ..... The Ecosport’s handling is now a reasonably good reason for buying one, and the rest of the package is a lot more respectable.

Originally Posted by Rajiv0909

I have had situation where the car wouldn't crank up after a few seconds of halt. It would go back to its normal self in after a few tries/10-15 minutes of delay

I know asking this is silly; but still. Is the re-cranking preventer playing spoilsport here?

[sidenzo]

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

Spotted the recently UK launched ecosport being tested near coimbatore. As mentioned in the UK spec sheet, it had this "privacy glass". The rear windshield and passenger windows were tinted (pretty dark tints). Also, it had the UK spec alloys.

Managed to take couple of pictures:

Attachment 1356323

Attachment 1356324

I personally like the spare wheel at the back on the Ecosport, looks out of place in Aventure though. Maybe its the design as whole which appeals with the spare when at the back.

Also had my 30k kms service yesterday. Total was Rs.4,446 excluding wheel alignment and balancing. Had few niggles like vibration on steering wheels from braking at high speeds. A few rattles also but didn't complaint about them as i knew they wouldn't be able to solve it. Already tried twice before with no luck.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

Spotted the recently UK launched ecosport being tested near coimbatore.

Was hoping the facelift wont make it to our market. That spare wheel (or rather the absence of it) takes a lot away from the Ecosport.

But why is it being tested without any camouflage?

[naveen.raju]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

But why is it being tested without any camouflage?

They have already launched this in the UK. So that's why they didnt use any camouflage. Also no other changes to the exterior other than the absence of spare wheel and the tinted windows at the rear.

[blacksport]

I would happily opt for a tail gate replacement program if Ford offers it. I never disliked the wheel at the back, but I think it should rightly be put inside where it belongs - the spare wheel well.

I do not care what the Ecosport looks like, hatch or SUV, but even without the wheel at the back, it remains what it is - its core competencies are still intact.

Ford should bring this one to the market soon. People who buy it for that "SUV look" has a problem they have to deal with - not Ford.

[wilful]

Originally Posted by blacksport

I would happily opt for a tail gate replacement program if Ford offers it. I never disliked the wheel at the back, but I think it should rightly be put inside where it belongs - the spare wheel well.

I do not care what the Ecosport looks like, hatch or SUV, but even without the wheel at the back, it remains what it is - its core competencies are still intact.

I couldn't agree with you more.
I wonder though whether having a spare wheel well in the boot would reduce its ground clearance. This might not matter in the least in the western markets but one of the USPs in countries like ours is the high gc.

[Thad E Ginathom]

I wonder though whether having a spare wheel well in the boot would reduce its ground clearance.

I guess that depends how they did it: ground clearance or luggage space surely has to suffer.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by blacksport

Its core competencies are still intact.

And SUV'ish looks were one of its primary competencies? This redesign takes a lot away from it. Looks are subjective for sure, but I guess some people would agree here.

Originally Posted by blacksport

People who buy it for that "SUV look" has a problem they have to deal with - not Ford.

People will have choices soon- with YBA, S-Cross, S101 and ix25, ruining the monopoly Ecosport had over the market. Some of the above might be priced above the Ecosport - but I think Ford also has a potential problem to deal with, not just the customers.

I'm curious though- what are the main advantages of the upcoming Ecosport compared to the existing one? I couldn't figure out many, except for a colour screen and better promised NVH. Better ride and handling is promised for Europe with 10mm less GC. But would it come to India? So in net effect- it would partially lose two of its biggest USPs- 1. SUV'ish looks and 2. GC. While gaining what?