IAB reader Naveen Raman has sent us spy shots of the upcoming 2017 Ford EcoSport facelift from Ooty. One of the test mules sports alloy wheels different from the cars seen at the car's unveiling at the LA Auto Show last November. Test mules of the EcoSport wearing these rims were spotted back in May 2017 as well.
The new alloys appear to be 17-inch units. Upon closer inspection, you will notice the one wearing the new alloys not carrying a tailgate mounted spare wheel indicating this particular design or spec could be for export. Being a right-hand drive model, the version could be heading to South East Asia. Other visible details include a new shade of blue, black roof rails and headlamps with projector units and black inserts.
The second test mule wears the same 16-inch alloys as the model on sale in India. It does without the black inserts for the headlamps. The third camouflaged unit accompanying the two 2017 Ford EcoSport units was that of the model currently on sale. It carries masking on the front and rear of the car and silver casing for the ORVMs. Ford could be using the camou for benchmarking consistency.
In Brazil, the Ford EcoSport facelift gets a new 1.5 L Ti-VCT three-cylinder petrol engine from the 'Dragon' family. It is unclear whether this new petrol engine will replace the current 1.5 L Ti-VCT four-cylinder unit in India. Other engine options - 1.0 L EcoBoost Petrol and 1.5 L TDCi Diesel - are likely to continue.
Ford India is expected to launch the new 2017 EcoSport during the festive season at a starting price of approximately INR 7.00 Lakhs (ex-showroom). The Indian made compact SUV will be exported to the USA for the first time and will launch stateside in early 2018.
