Picture the dilemma of a car manufacturer when its customers want just about everything from a car. How do you please an audience who wants the best of all the worlds? It seems that Ford has all the answers ready.
When Ford EcoSport made a grand entry into the Indian auto market, it got a lot of attention. Here came an SUV that was lighter and incredibly car-like to drive.
A first look at the interior ergonomics begins with the ease with which you can get in and out; here you just walk into the cabin without ducking and crouching. Adding to that is the front seat space, where the seats are set high up so that there is a good visual angle of what is ahead of you on the road. The seats are plush with good lateral support and have a sporty look to it. The ample head room adds to the roomier effect. From a voice activated control system like the SYNC which has an LCD screen and controls that alerts in case of emergencies to a stylishly laid out dashboard, and more than enough cubby holes, there is a lot going here. Other features include a music system with CD player, FM radio, USB port and Bluetooth connectivity and an automatic climate control system.
The futuristic design of the EcoSport promises to turn heads like nothing else in its segment and it comes in a total of 10 variants, three engine options and two transmissions to choose from. The ride and handling are good and one can experience a handsome dash of torque that renders this car absolute drivability in the city as well as on the highways as the turbo lag is quite controlled.
The petrol versions are either1000 cc, 118 bhp, 170 NM torque Eco Boost engines or 1500 cc, 108 bhp, 150 NM torque engines. The diesel ones use 1500 cc, 90 bhp, 214 NM torque engines. Standard mileage and maximum speed are 18.9 kmpl & 196 kmph, 15.8 kmpl & 165 kmph and 22.7 kmpl & 175 kmph for 1000 cc petrol, 1500 cc petrol and 1500 cc diesel versions, respectively.
The safety features include an ABS, an electronic stability programme, the power assisted steering, six air bags and rear parking sensors.
Priced at Rupees 5.69 lakhs to 9.16 lakhs, Ford EcoSport has a mouth-watering price tag attached to it. Ford EcoSport is less than 4 m, and that means it is friends with the Indian tax bulldogs and enjoys tax benefits. Ford EcoSport has arrived with better equipment but still faces an uphill task as it directly goes against the likes of Renault Duster.
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