Will retain the tailgate-mounted spare tire, as seen in spyshots.
According to Brazilian publication, Globo, the new Ford EcoSport (facelift) will launch for sale in Brazil in early 2017. The new Ford EcoSport gave the 2016 Sao Paulo Auto Show a miss, instead making its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show just days later.
The Brazil-spec Ford EcoSport will carryover the changes seen in the U.S-spec model, but retains the tailgate-mounted spare tire, as seen in spyshots of pre-production examples testing in Brazil. It will be manufactured at Ford's plant in Camacari, Brazil, where the current EcoSport rolls out of.
Changes introduced in the facelifted model include bigger headlamps with bolder LED DRLs, new foglamps and a sharper trapezoidal grille with a mesh design. The interior has been overhauled for a more premium feel and it features a new steering wheel with an array of buttons, wider instrument cluster with a large multi-info display, new HVAC controls and a floating touchscreen infotainment system.
Also Read: New Ford Escape showcased at 2016 Bogota Auto Show
Reports suggest that the facelifted Brazil-spec EcoSport will drop the 1.6L Sigma 4-cyl engine for a new 1.5-litre ‘Dragon’ three-cylinder petrol engine, while the bigger 2.0L 4-cyl motor will get direct injection. Manual and automatic transmissions will be available for both variants, while a 4x4 drivetrain will be exclusive to the 2.0L variant.
The report also states that the new EcoSport will get rear disc brakes in place of drum brakes.
[Source: Globo]
