Ford introduces new EcoSport SUV in India

Ford introduced the second generation of its EcoSport compact SUV at the New Delhi Auto Expo on Wednesday. The EcoSport is the second of eight vehicles that will be launched in India by mid-decade.

The EcoSport was developed in South America with teams from Asia, Europe and North America. Ford says the car will be a key model in expanding the company's presence in growth markets like such as India and Brazil.

The EcoSport looks a bit like the Land Rover Evoque to us, with a raised driving position and high ground clearance for light off-roading. A spare wheel is mounted on a swing gate in the rear below a large window that wraps around the side.

Introduced in 2003 in South America, the EcoSport has sold 700,000 units in nine years. It was billed as the first affordable SUV in the region. The SUV sits on Ford's global B-segment platform, which also underpins the Fiesta. Ford says the platform will represent more than 2 million units of production in the near future.

The small SUV will use the Blue Oval's new 1.0-liter, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. It features turbocharging, direct injection, twin variable camshafts and efficient accessories to crank out 118 hp. Ford says output is similar to a current 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine.

"The capable EcoSport is a perfect showcase for the advanced small-displacement petrol engine, demonstrating the strength and breadth of Ford's development and engineering capabilities," said Joe Bakaj, vice president of Ford's Global Powertrain Engineering.

The engine was developed at Ford's Dunton Technical Center in the United Kingdom and will be offered in Ford models in China, Europe, North America and other regions. The turbocharger design is new, according to Ford, and can reach 250,000 rpm with virtually no lag, resulting in peak torque of 125 lb-ft.

The exhaust manifold is cast into the cylinder head, which lowers exhaust gas temperatures and allows the engine to run with the optimum air-to-fuel ratio across a wider rev band. Peak torque lasts from 1,300-4,500 rpm. The block is iron, reducing the amount of energy needed for warmup, in turn improving fuel economy.

Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but Ford says it will be competitive with other compact SUVs. It will arrive in showrooms in South America later this year, followed by India and Asia.

By Jake Lingeman