Ford is attempting to keep up with the likes of the Nissan Juke, Fiat 500X and Renault Captur by introducing a round of updates for its EcoSport crossover. The updates come barely two years into the car's life and are meant to fend off criticisms of its refinement, build quality and handling.
First off, the 1.5 TDCi diesel gets a slight boost in power, from 90- to 95hp, and Ford quotes 4.4 litres per 100km fuel consumption and 115g/km of CO2. The EcoSport is also available with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo triple petrol engine, which officially uses 5.4 litres per 100km and emits 125g/km of CO2.
Ford is also now offering a delete option for the rear door mounted spare tyre, replacing it with a repair and inflate kit if requested. A rear-view parking camera will be available later this year, along with satnav. Privacy glass is available for all EcoSport models, while the Winter Pack also adds rear seat ventilation at floor level to improve comfort for rear passengers in cold weather.
There's thicker sound-deadening material around the doors and dashboard as well as better seals for the pedal area, all of which Ford says improves the car's Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) performance. The quality of materials used in the cabin has also been boosted. The suspension has been revised too, with 10mm taken out of the ride height, a retuned torsion bar at the back and a new electric power steering setup, all tweaked at Ford's Lommel proving ground in Belgium.
"The stylish and practical Ford EcoSport offers customers a flexible and economical SUV and with these enhancements EcoSport looks and feels even sharper," said Joe Bakaj, Vice President, Product Development, Ford of Europe. "EcoSport was developed in some of the most rigorous terrains and climates across the globe to make it an even more compelling option for customers as part of our growing European SUV range. In addition, the team at Lommel Proving Ground in Belgium have further enhanced the driving dynamics to make the new EcoSport even more fun to drive on European roads."
The biggest hurdle to the EcoSport's success though is likely to be its price. With a starting price of €22,995, the EcoSport is at its cheapest still €3,000 more expensive than the likes of the Captur and 500X.