- Created for the urban world, the all-new Ford EcoSport serves up style, space and versatility in an agile, fuel-efficient package
- All-new EcoSport offers a high driving position, superior water-wading capability and an array of smart features such as the Ford SYNC® connectivity system, making it the perfect vehicle for city driving and out-of-town exploring
- All-new EcoSport will be powered by the advanced 1.5L petrol engine with twin independent variable camshaft timing technology which improves low-speed torque and increases fuel economy.
BANGKOK, Thailand, Mar. 25, 2013 – The all-new Ford
EcoSport makes its much-anticipated debut in ASEAN at the 34th Bangkok
International Motor Show, tapping into a growing desire in the region
for an urban SUV that combines the agility, affordability and fuel
efficiency of a compact car with the flexibility and spaciousness of a
sport utility vehicle.
Based on Ford’s global B-segment platform, the Ford EcoSport is an
aspirational alternative to the compact car, spacious for five adults
and their gear. The SUV’s blend of versatility and smart connectivity
will attract a target of independent lifestyle customers who not only
live life to the full but also love exploring the world at large. Its
high driving position, rugged capability, superior fuel economy and
convenient features all make it just the right vehicle for both city
streets and mountain roads.
The well-rounded EcoSport is also just as comfortable wading
through 550 mm of water as it is keeping the driver entertained with
hands-free phone calls and music selection with the Ford SYNC® in-car
connectivity system. It also makes sure the driver and occupants will
always have a cold drink at hand, with a glove box that can keep up to
six beverage cans cool.
Ford is showcasing its top-of-the-line model, the EcoSport
Titanium, on stage in Bangkok. Painted in distinctive Mars Red, the
EcoSport Titanium is fitted with a sunroof, 16-inch aluminium alloy
wheels and a chrome grille.
The Ford EcoSport will be built at the company’s new
state-of-the-art Ford Thailand Manufacturing facility in Rayong, which
will supply the entire ASEAN region as well as other export markets.
Other manufacturing locations include China, India and South America.
The stylish SUV will be available in about 100 markets around the world.
“The all-new Ford EcoSport is yet another milestone in our
product-led transformation across the region,” said Matt Bradley,
president, Ford ASEAN. “It marries the best of both worlds – fusing the
manoeuvrability and fuel economy of a compact car with the practicality
and robustness of an SUV in a contemporary package.”
Beauty inside and out
At first glance, the distinctive and aerodynamic Ford EcoSport
looks like it’s ready to pounce. A wide hood sweeps into sculpted
bodylines, conveying a dynamic spirit of energy in motion. Slim
headlamps frame a high-mounted trapezoidal grille which gives the
compact SUV a signature Ford face.
Blacked out B-pillars unify the side glass into one elegant shape,
while the muscular beltline, formed by the windows and door creases,
ascends as it runs to the rear of the car. At the back, the large rear
window wraps around to the sides along with oblique tail lamps. To keep
the rear profile sleek, the tailgate handle was built into the tail
lamp.
The spare tyre, with an exclusively designed wheel and cover, is
mounted on the tailgate as a classic SUV cue, as well as for practical
reasons. This results in more available cargo space in the vehicle, and
makes it easier for customers to lift heavy loads into the vehicle over
the lower bumper.
Inside, soft-touch fabrics, tight gaps and the global Ice Blue
dashboard illumination all reinforce superior quality and craftsmanship.
Controls and knobs are ergonomically placed while seats are designed to
be soft enough for comfort and firm enough for longer journeys.
Cool, clever capability
Full of innovative features, the Ford EcoSport makes life easier
for customers. Drivers no longer need their keys ready either to unlock
the SUV or to start its engine. They can just leave the key in a pocket
or bag.
With Smart Keyless Entry, the doors unlock automatically as the
driver pulls the door handle, particularly useful when in a hurry or
carrying heavy loads. Once inside, a press of the motorsport-inspired
Ford Power Start button gets the engine going. Drivers no longer have to
be annoyed over having a bunch of keys dangling at knee level.
Another ingenious feature is the award-winning Ford SYNC system,
which uses voice-activation technology to enable owners to answer phone
calls and select music from devices connected via Bluetooth or USB.
First introduced to Thailand on the all-new Ford Focus, SYNC is now
making its way into the compact car segment.
To take the stress out of driving, the EcoSport comes with an array
of driver-assist systems. Rear parking sensors keep customers from
backing into obstacles they cannot see. Hill Launch Assist ensures they
can make a perfect hill start whether it’s an uphill or downhill slope,
by holding the SUV for up to 2.5 seconds while the driver’s foot moves
from the brake to the accelerator pedal.
The EcoSport’s agile, manoeuvrable chassis also features electric
power-assisted steering (EPAS) for outstanding steering response and
improved fuel efficiency. The SUV offers advanced safety items, such as
dual front airbags and side curtain airbags, as well as Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program.
“We packed the EcoSport with a long list of smart and intuitive
features that can help reduce the frustration that can accompany
congested urban traffic,” said Graham Pearson, vehicle line director for
small cars, Ford Asia Pacific. “From an award-winning connectivity
system that plays your favourite music at a single voice command to
advanced technologies that help you remain in control of the SUV at all
times, the EcoSport keeps you relaxed as you drive.”
Ready for work and play
The Ford EcoSport will launch with the global 1.5-litre
four-cylinder petrol engine, which delivers 108 PS of power and peak
torque of 138 Nm. Depending on the market it can be mated to either the
fuel-efficient six-speed Ford PowerShift automatic transmission or the
five-speed manual transmission.
The engine features twin independent variable camshaft timing
(Ti-VCT) technology which allows extremely precise, variable control of
“valve overlap” – the window of time in which both the intake and
exhaust vales in an engine are open at the same time. For the driver,
this means improved low-speed torque and increased fuel economy.
On top of fuel-efficient power to get customers to where they need
to go, the trusty EcoSport also leaves plenty of room for what they need
to carry. The cabin has been maximised for ample headroom and knee room
for all occupants.
The rear seats can be reclined for greater comfort or folded down
for additional cargo space. With the rear seats tumbled against the
front seats, the boot space increases to 705 litres, big enough to fit a
washing machine. If needed, the rear seats can be split 60/40 to
transport long objects such as flat-pack furniture while still carrying
passengers at the back.
Driving momentum in ASEAN
Ford has been on a roll in its ASEAN region with overall 2012
retail sales rising 27 percent year-over-year to 87,623 units, its
best-ever annual performance. Last year, Ford Thailand’s retail sales
rose 88 percent from 2011 to 54,865 units. It was Ford Thailand’s
all-time best annual performance and made Ford one of the fastest
growing automotive brands in the country for the second consecutive
year.
Such extraordinary growth is being driven by the continuous
introduction of high-quality and segment-leading vehicles from Ford’s
global product portfolio. The all-new Ford EcoSport is expected to
ratchet up the sales momentum in the region even further.
“Ford has been going from strength to strength in ASEAN with our
segment-leading One Ford vehicles,” said Bradley. “We’re confident that
the all-new EcoSport will draw even more new customers into our Ford
showrooms.”
Introduced in South America in 2003, the ground-breaking first
EcoSport model established a new segment there and has gone on to sell
more than 700,000 units in the region. The project was led by Ford’s
Development Centre in Brazil, one of the most specialised in the
development of compact cars. The team leveraged Ford engineering
strength and SUV expertise globally to create the all-new EcoSport,
which is projected to help drive additional growth for Ford around the
world.
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