Ford EcoSport spied testing in India without the boot-mounted spare wheel

It was at the start of this year when it was revealed that Ford will introduce the EcoSport without the exterior spare wheel for the European market. Little did we know then that the manufacturer might bring this updated sleek-looking vehicle to India as well. It was spotted on test in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

The test mule looked similar to the one showcased at the Geneva Motor Show last month. This means, it is not just the spare wheel that has been removed, but the compact SUV will also get some further updates. The revised rear swing-gate enables easier partial opening when limited space is available. So apart from the noticeable absence of the spare wheel, which will now go in the boot, the rear registration plate has moved to the tailgate. The rear bumper is revised with a pseudo silver skid plate. We can expect a privacy glass and UK-spec alloy wheels to be offered as an option. 

Coming to the cabin of the updated EcoSport, we can expect the changes to the interior to be in line with the model displayed at the Auto show. This includes a new instrument cluster with chrome accents and light dimming, chrome surround for power window switches, thicker damping materials on the doors and bonnet, tighter seals for pedals, a sat-nav system and a rear-view camera.

Reports also suggest that the engine powering the EcoSport has been upgraded to Euro 6.1 emission norms. As a result, the TDCi motor now churns out 5PS more. Apart from this, suspension geometry on the updated EcoSport has been tweaked with a retuned rear twist beam and a new spring and damper that provide better stability. The ground clearance has been reduced by 10mm, but ESC and EPS have been optimised for better performance.

The Ford EcoSport is a sporty looking, feature-loaded and aggressively priced compact SUV. It created a huge excitement when launched in India in 2013 and topped the sales charts for Ford India. If and when launched here with all these new changes, let us hope the updated EcoSport recreates the same magic it did a couple of years ago.

Image Courtesy: Team-Bhp