2017 Ford EcoSport facelift: What's in, what's out?

An unveiling at the Los Angeles auto show should tell you how serious Ford is about the EcoSport facelift. The model is soon to go on sale in the US, and more importantly, is India bound sometime around late 2017.

Exteriors
While not very different in overall shape to the outgoing model, the EcoSport features a new front end with new projector headlamps, reshaped fog lamps, a new hexagonal grille and bumper. Changes to the rear end come in the form of reprofiled tail-lamps and a restyled bumper. Although the unveiled model gave the tailgate-mounted spare-wheel amiss, the feature is likely to be retained for India. Also expect it to arrive with a new set of alloy wheels.

Interior and features
The updated Ecosport gets a majorly revised dashboard. The current model’s button-riddled centre console and the dashtop-mounted monochrome infotainment screen have been replaced with a free-standing touchscreen (6.5- or 8.0-inch units depending on the variant). This unit will feature Ford’s new SYNC 3 infotainment system and is also likely to come equipped with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Also new are the multifunction steering wheel and the instrument binnacle. Like the current car sold in India, expect the updated one to come with ABS, airbags, parking sensors, automatic climate control, a rear-view camera and an engine start/stop button. Plus, higher variants are also likely to get a sunroof, which will be a first-in-class feature.

Engines
The facelifted model is likely to continue with the same set of engine and gearbox options that Ford offers on the current EcoSport. These include 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines and the 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol motor. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard while the 1.5-litre petrol gets the option of a six-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Prices
With the EcoSport already facing serious heat from the Maruti Vitara Brezza, expect Ford to be extremely aggressive with the pricing this time around. The current car is priced between Rs 6.93-9.82 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), while the Vitara Brezza costs between Rs 7.19-9.88 lakh.  

Ford has launched a mildly updated EcoSport in India recently. Here's all you need to know.