Ford has started testing the 2017 EcoSport facelift on public roads in India. Two partially camouflaged test mules have recently been spotted on the outskirts of Chennai. The updated compact SUV is expected to be launched in India by the end of this year.

The spotted models wear a camouflage on the front and rear. Since the facelifted EcoSport has already been unveiled internationally, we have a fair idea about how the India-spec model will look like. The front fascia will get a wider grille with new swept back headlamps flanked on both sides. Higher variants are expected to get a project setup and LED DRLs in the headlamp housing. The bumper will also be a new unit, with the larger fog lamps being placed a bit higher than the current model.

The side profile will remain similar to that of the current model, except for a new set of alloy wheels on the higher trims. At the rear, the India-spec EcoSport is expected to retain the tailgate mounted spare wheel. One of the two test mules spotted had a PEMS (Portable Emissions Measuring System) box mounted on the tailgate for testing purpose.

The interiors of the EcoSport facelift are expected to get some comprehensive updates, including a new dashboard, revised 3-spoke steering wheel, a new instrument cluster, revised centre console and a touchscreen infotainment system.

No mechanical changes are expected to be made on the 2017 EcoSport. As a result, it will likely continue to be offered with three engine options - a 1.5L Ti-VCT petrol, a 1.5-litre TDCi diesel and a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol. A 5-speed manual gearbox is expected to be offered as standard, while the 6-speed DCT will likely be available only with the 1.5L Ti-VCT.

Source: Motorworld India

Ford India is now offering a touchscreen infotainment system on the EcoSport from the Titanium variant onwards. This particular system was recently introduced to the EcoSport line-up with the top-end Platinum edition. However, with the increasing customer interest in touchscreen infotainment systems, Ford has expanded the feature to the Titanium and Titanium+ variants as well. It must be noted that the 1.5-litre AT Titanium models don't get this update.

The system in question is an 8.0-inch touchscreen display that comes with satellite navigation, DVD player with video support, door ajar warning and streams the output from the rear camera. It has been planted above the centre console, thus replacing the Ford Sync 1 system and the 3.5-inch MID screen. No other changes have been made to the EcoSport's feature distribution.

The EcoSport can be opted in three engine options in the Titanium/Titanium+ variants - a 1.5-litre Ti-VCT petrol, a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol and a 1.5-litre TDCi diesel. The touchscreen is available only on the manual transmission models.

Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)

• 1.5 Petrol Titanium MT - Rs. 9.09 lakh
• 1.0 Petrol Titanium+ MT - Rs. 9.96 lakh
• 1.5 Diesel Titanium MT - Rs. 9.69 lakh
• 1.5 Diesel Titanium+ MT - Rs. 10.26 lakh

The 2017 Ford EcoSport facelift has been spotted in India for the first time. The spotted model features a mild camouflage, which points towards the manufacturer preparing to soon start testing it on public roads in the country.

The EcoSport facelift was unveiled for the North American markets in November last year. It gets some cosmetic updates on the front and rear ends, while the side profile and silhouette remain identical to the current model. The India-spec model is expected to retain majority of the design elements, including the new front bumper that houses a wider hexagonal grille, larger fog lamps and a faux skid plate. The headlamps will also be all new units and will house LED daytime running lamps (DRLs).

The EcoSport facelift spotted in India comes with a tailgate mounted spare wheel, something that isn't on offer in the North American model. Moreover, the spy shot also shows presence of a new set of blacked out alloy wheels.

In the North American markets, interiors of the EcoSport facelift see a major update, with a revised dashboard layout, a new steering wheel, updated instrument cluster and a touchscreen infotainment system. It remains to be seen what all features Ford brings to the India-spec model.

Mechanically, the India bound EcoSport facelift will be identical to the current model, and will likely be offered with three engine options: a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol, a 1.5-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel.

Source: On Cars

Ford has launched the EcoSport Platinum Edition in India. It will be available with two engine options: a 1.5-litre TDCi diesel and a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol. The special edition is priced at Rs. 10.39 lakh (Ex-Showroom, Delhi) for the petrol variant and Rs. 10.69 lakh (Ex-Showroom, Delhi) for the diesel model.

The EcoSport Platinum Edition comes with a black roof, giving the compact SUV a dual-tone colour scheme. It also features larger 17-inch alloy wheels with wider tyres. The front and rear bumpers get new appliqués as well. On the inside, the Platinum Edition models come with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which supports music and video playback, satellite navigation and rear view camera. The EcoSport also gets Cruise Control on the Platinum Edition model.

No mechanical changes have been made to the EcoSport Platinum Edition. The petrol engine generates 123 BHP and Ford claims that it delivers a fuel economy of 18.88 Km/l. The diesel mill is rated at 99 BHP with a company claimed economy figure of 22.27 Km/l.

We had recently reported about the addition of a touchscreen infotainment system in the top-end variants of the Ford EcoSport. The updated model has now been spotted at a dealer stockyard in Coimbatore. Ford is expected to officially announce the new feature additions to the 2017 models sometime next month.

Major changes visible on the spotted model include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, a new set of 17-inch alloy wheels and a blacked out roof. The larger alloys are wrapped in 205/50 section Apollo tyres. The touchscreen system also supports DVD (video) playback and rear view camera. These features will be seen only on the top-of-the-line Titanium+ trim level.

The 2017 model gains the aforementioned features, but it also loses some others. Ford has removed features like lumbar support, cooled glove box, non-LED DRLs and front armrest from the entire EcoSport range.

With the 2017 model year, Ford will also be increasing prices of the EcoSport Titanium + variants by Rs. 20,000. The updated prices will be:

• 1.5D Titanium+ : Rs. 10,19,000

• 1.0P Titanium+ : Rs. 9,89,000

(All Prices are Ex-showroom, Delhi)

Source: Nagaraj Muthuswamy/Facebook

Thank you to the Team-BHP fan (he prefers to remain anonymous) who sent this information in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts!

Ford EcoSport will soon get a new Touchscreen infotainment system, which will be offered only with the top-end Titanium+ variants (both petrol and diesel). This new feature addition will translate to a price hike of Rs. 20,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the EcoSport's Titanium+ trim level.

The system in question is an 8-inch touchscreen unit, which will come with a DVD Player (video), rear view camera, satellite navigation, door ajar warning and Bluetooth connectivity. The screen will be placed on top of the centre console, and will thus replace the 3.5-inch MID unit found on the earlier model. The VIN cutoff for introduction of this new Touchscreen navigation infotainment system is MAJAXXMRKAHJ00291.

This feature addition is Ford's attempt to bring the EcoSport's feature list on par with that of the Maruti Vitara Brezza, which offers a touchscreen system on its top-end models. The Vitara Brezza is currently the EcoSport's biggest competitor in the compact SUV space. Addition of the new touchscreen system will likely help Ford to pull a few customers away from its Maruti rival. The automaker is also reportedly planning to launch the EcoSport facelift in India by the end of this year.

The EcoSport will also be losing some features across its variant range. The Trend trim level will lose reclining rear seats, rear defogger, vanity lamp, driver seat height adjust, 60/40 split for rear seats, rear wash & wipe and passenger seat storage box. Meanwhile, the Trend+ variant will now come with black roof rails, instead of the silver ones found earlier. It will also lose the passenger seat storage box, reclining rear seats and 60/40 split for rear seats. Both Trend and Trend+ variants will get an integrated centre headrest for the rear.

Ford has also removed driver seat armrest, lumbar support, cooled glove box, leather-wrapped handbrake & gear shift knob, and chrome scuff plates from the EcoSport range. The passenger seat storage box that was earlier offered with Trend, Trend+, Titanium and Titanium+ variants has now been limited to the top-end trim.

The aforementioned changes are expected to be seen on all 2017 manufactured models of the EcoSport in India. Revised ex-showroom Delhi prices of the EcoSport's Titanium+ variants are:

• 1.5D Titanium+ : Rs. 10,19,000

• 1.0P Titanium+ : Rs. 9,89,000

Various media reports had earlier suggested that Ford will be launching the EcoSport facelift in India in the first couple of months of 2017. However, latest speculations suggest that the facelift will arrive in India around Diwali this year, while Ford is preparing a minor update for the EcoSport which will be launched next month.

The upcoming minor update will include some feature additions, including an optional touchscreen infotainment system. This impending update can be seen as Ford's attempt to bring the EcoSport's feature list at par with its biggest competitor - Maruti Vitara Brezza that comes with a touchscreen infotainment system, which supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Navigation. Addition of a new infotainment system will help the EcoSport to pull in some satisfactory numbers in the compact SUV segment, before the facelift arrives.

Meanwhile, the facelifted model which will be launched in India later this year gets some significant cosmetic updates at the front, and will also come with a revised dashboard layout. However, it will likely continue to be offered with the same set of powertrain options.

Source: Car and Bike

Ford India is reportedly planning to launch the EcoSport facelift in the early months of next year, preferably in January 2017. This will mark the biggest change in the EcoSport line-up, ever since its original launch in 2013.

Ford unveiled the facelifted model for the North American markets in November 2016. The India-spec version will mostly be identical to this already unveiled model, though it might get some tweaks to suit Indian customer preferences. The facelifted EcoSport gets most of its changes at the front, which includes a larger grille, new headlamps, a completely revamped front bumper with faux skid plates and larger fog lamps. The side profile is nearly identical to the model it will replace, save for a new set of alloy wheels. At the rear, the EcoSport gets a tweaked pair of taillights and a new bumper with a faux silver skid plate. The American-spec model doesn't get the rear-mounted spare wheel and thus houses the number plate on the tailgate. However, the India-spec model might retain the spare-wheel on the tailgate, especially since it helps in enhancing the EcoSport's SUV character.

On the inside, the facelifted EcoSport will get a redesigned dashboard, new seat upholstery, a new steering wheel and updated Ford SYNC infotainment system.

The India-spec model will continue to be powered by a 1.5-litre diesel, a 1.5-litre petrol and a 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo petrol engine.

Source: CarWale

Earlier this month, Ford revealed the EcoSport facelift for North American markets. The company has now announced that it will be producing the car in India and exporting it to the US.

Ford India already exports the current-gen EcoSport to various markets around the world. The company also became India's largest exporter of passenger cars in August 2016.

The EcoSport facelift sports a new front fascia, with a larger grille, a redesigned pair of headlights and larger fog lamps. The US-spec model misses out on the tailgate-mounted spare wheel. On the inside, the facelifted model gets a revised dashboard with a new steering wheel, wider instrument cluster, and a floating 8.0-inch touchscreen display with Ford's SYNC3 connectivity.

In the American market, the EcoSport will be offered with a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost and a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine. It will be offered with both FWD and AWD configurations.

Source: Car and Bike

Ford has revealed the EcoSport facelift for the North American markets. The new EcoSport gets a revised front and rear, while retaining the car's compact dimensions. Ford is expected to bring the facelifted model to India later next year.

The new EcoSport features a comprehensively revised front fascia with a larger hexagonal grille, new headlamps and foglamps, a revised bumper and a faux skid plate. The hood too has been slightly changed as it now gets more character lines flowing up towards the windscreen. The side profile remains similar to that of the current model, save for the new set of alloys. At the rear, the US-spec version doesn't get the tailgate mounted spare wheel, though it will likely be present in the India-bound model.

The interiors have also been updated as the facelifted EcoSport now comes with a new steering wheel, updated instrument cluster, new centre console layout and body-coloured inserts. The new infotainment system gets an 8.0-inch touchscreen floating display with Ford's SYNC3 connectivity. It is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The US-spec model gets a 675-watt, 10-speaker sound system which includes B&O PLAY-branded tweeters and woofers in the front doors and a subwoofer in the back.

In the North American markets, the EcoSport facelift will continue to be offered with a choice of two petrol engines: a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder unit and a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder mill. Both these engines will be mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, while the top-end 2.0-litre variant will also be available with an optional four-wheel drive system.

The facelifted Ford EcoSport is expected to go on sale in the US in early 2018.