Ford has finally launched the eagerly anticipated EcoSport at a stunningly competitive starting price that has sent shockwaves through the industry. Prices start at a mouth-watering Rs 5.59 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the base Ambiente petrol variant, with deliveries starting today itself.
The EcoBoost costs Rs 7.89 lakh in Titanium trim, the base diesel comes in at Rs 6.69 lakh and the 1.5-litre petrol auto in Titanium trim costs Rs 8.44 lakh.
The EcoSport comes in four trims – Ambiente, Trend, Titanium and Titanium Optional - and three engine options. Engine choices include a 1.5-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel and Ford’s much-awaited 1.0-litre turbo charged direct-injection EcoBoost petrol. The EcoBoost, however, is only available on the top-end Titanium trim.
The base Ambiente version comes with a decent amount of kit. It gets tilt and telescopic steering, a music player with Aux-in and Bluetooth, electric wing mirrors, remote locking, a multi-function display, and 15-inch wheels. You only get front power windows though and there is no parcel tray with which to cover your luggage either.
Above this is the Trend, which gets all the features of the Ambiente and adds anti lock brakes, rear power windows, steering-mounted audio controls and driver-seat height adjust. Both trims are available only with manual gearboxes mated to a 1.5-litre diesel or 1.5 petrol engine.
The higher Titanium trim level can also be ordered with a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine. For your money you’ll get a manual gearbox, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control, cooled glovebox, roof rails, front fog lamps, a reverse parking sensor, and dual airbags. There’s also an additional option pack for the Titanium trim, which offers push-button start, leather seats, keyless entry, and side and curtain airbags as well.
The EcoSport is also available with an automatic gearbox-equipped version, but that only comes with the normal 1.5 petrol. You dont get push button start, smart key-less entry and leather seats with the automatic variant. There is no petrol version available for the top-spec EcoSport.
In terms of safety equipment, the EcoSport will come with Ford’s Emergency Assistance system. This system enables the car to deliver a voice message directly to emergency operators in the event of an accident in which the airbags have been deployed or fuel pump shut-off is triggered.
Whereas the 1.5 petrol and diesel are familiar (the 110bhp petrol and 90bhp diesel are similar to the engines on the Fiesta), the new Ecoboost petrol is good for 123bhp.
With such an aggressive starting price, the base petrol EcoSport not only undercuts its main competitor, the Duster, by a significant Rs 2 lakh on average, it also targets other segments like hatchbacks and compact saloons.
As an example, the Ford EcoSport’s base diesel price of Rs 6.69 lakh is only Rs 70,000 more than the i20’s CRDi Era trim. Not only is the Ford better equipped, it also has that SUV look that’s quite appealing to Indians.
However, a closer look at the EcoSport’s price range throws up an interesting gap of approximately Rs 2 lakh between the base and top trims. Ford will no doubt actively steer buyers towards the higher trims, so it will be interesting to see if its dealerships will readily offer lower trims from the word go. The EcoSport is all set to be a game-changer in this segment, much like the Renault Duster was when it was launched.
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