Ford is readying the 2017 EcoSport for India with its launch scheduled this festive season, reports claim. Prices of the upcoming new model EcoSport could fall in the Rs. 7.20-10.50 lakh (ex-showroom) range. Here’s all you need to know about the Ford EcoSport 2017 Facelift India launch date, expected price, specifications and more.

Ford EcoSport Overview

The EcoSport first made an appearance in India at the 2012 Auto Expo. Although it was showcased as a concept, the production ready version that arrived in June 2013 was 99% identical. It received such an overwhelming response that by August some dealers stopped taking bookings as the waiting period stretched to 9 months for variants. Within two years of its launch, Ford managed to sell 1.12 lakh units of the EcoSport in India with global sales crossing the 2 lakh mark.

The launch of the Maruti Vitara Brezza in March 2016 at an aggressive starting price of Rs. 6.99 lakh prompted Ford to reduce prices by up to 1.12 lakh Rupees just two days later. In January 2017, Ford added the Platinum Edition trim to the lineup, which features new 17 inch alloys and an 8 inch touchscreen system. The upcoming compact SUV facelift that made its debut at the LA Auto Show in November 2016 will be the EcoSport’s first major update since its launch.

Ford EcoSport 2017 Facelift India Launch

Although yet to be officially confirmed, our sources inform us that the launch of the new model EcoSport in India is scheduled to take place this festive season. According to latest reports, Ford will introduce the Ford EcoSport facelift to the Indian public in October and open bookings as well. Prices are expected to be announced in November followed by deliveries that are likely to commence in December. It was spotted for the first time in a service center in February 2017 while camouflaged test units were first sighted on Indian roads in May 2017.

Ford EcoSport 2017 Facelift Price in India

Age and the arrival of the Maruti Vitara Brezza had a major effect on the sales of the EcoSport. It currently averages around 3,600 units a month as opposed to Vitara Brezza’s monthly average of around 10,000 units. Ford India might consider lowering the starting price to around 7 lakh Rupees in a bid to regain the lost market share. Currently, this is what the EcoSport price list looks like.

Ford EcoSport Price List

Competition Check

Ford EcoSport rivals other compact SUVs such as the

• Maruti Vitara Brezza
• Mahindra TUV300
• Tata Nexon (Upcoming)

Ford EcoSport 2017 Facelift India Specifications

In June 2016, it was reported that the 2017 EcoSport will debut a new 1.5 L 3 cylinder petrol from the ‘Dragon’ engine family. The Brazil-spec model comes with this engine and latest reports confirm it will be available on the new 2017 EcoSport in India. It is likely to replace the current 1.5 L Ti-VCT four cylinder petrol.

Ford EcoSport 2017 Facelift India Mileage

Seen here are the fuel consumption figures of the EcoSport 1.0 petrol and 1.5 diesel currently on sale as tested by ARAI. As the 1.5 L petrol is an all new engine, we have mentioned estimated figures.

Ford EcoSport 2017 Facelift Exterior Design

The exterior of the new EcoSport builds on the strengths of the outgoing model, which is a product of Ford’s global design language based on five main elements – Silhouette innovation, perceived efficiency, refined surface language, technical graphics and new face. Changes are restricted to the front end. It features Ford’s signature trapezoidal grille with a generous dose of chrome. The new headlamps get projector units with LED daytime running lamps. The turn indicators are placed in the wedge shape fog lamp enclosure.

India-spec EcoSport will continue with the tailgate mounted spare wheel. Test mules spotted in May sported gray 17 inch alloys, while the more recent sighting in June reveals black rims. This indicates that Ford will continue to offer the EcoSport in ‘Black Edition’ trims. These sightings also confirmed the introduction of a new Arpoadar Red paint shade.

Ford EcoSport 2017 Facelift Interior Design

Major changes have been made to the cabin of the new EcoSport, specifically the dashboard design. Ford claims their design team put in thousands of hours of observation to assess the daily habits of consumers and gain feedback to optimize the layout. They even used line of sight tracking software for further optimization to create a user-centric new interior design. Ford found that most users preferred physical controls for bits like volume adjustment and AC settings.

The new EcoSport features a redesigned centre console sporting an 8 inch floating touch screen, repositioned air vents and new controls for the HVAC unit. There is also a new 3 spoke steering wheel and a new instrument cluster with a high resolution MID on offer. Readers with a keen eye will notice similarities in the dashboard design with that of the outgoing model. Bits like the side air conditioning vents, glove box, and door pads are identical to the current car. Ford will drop the all black interior for a black and beige colour theme. In features, Ford will offer the EcoSport with the latest SYNC 3 AppLink software with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.Ford will also add cruise control to EcoSport's list of equipment.

Ford EcoSport 2017 India Features

Exterior

• New trapezoidal front grille
• Sharper wedge shape fog lamp enclosures with turn indicators
• New 17 inch alloy wheel design
• Projector headlamps with LED DRLs
• New paint shades
• New design spare wheel cover

Interior

• 8 inch floating touch screen interface for SYNC 3 AppLink
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Support
• Redesigned centre console
• New 3 spoke steering wheel
• High red MID
• Black and beige interior theme
• Grab handle above glovebox
• Cruise control
• Paddle shifters
• Automatic climate control

Safety

• 4 Star Euro NCAP Rating (current model)
• 2 or 6 airbags
• ABS with EBD
• ISOFIX Child Seat Anchorage Points
• MyKey Programmable vehicle key

Ford EcoSport 2017 Facelift India - Dimensions

Ford EcoSport Facelift Engine and Transmission Options

• 1.0 L EcoBoost Petrol with 5 speed Manual
• 1.5 L TDCi Diesel with 5 speed Manual
• 1.5 L Dragon Petrol with Manual and automatic options

A new three cylinder locally made 1.5 L Dragon petrol engine option will be added to the EcoSport according to the latest media reports. It will come with manual and automatic transmission options along with paddle shifters.