The Ford EcoSport compact SUV has made its ASEAN debut at the Bangkok International Motor Show. Its arrival on the scene is no surprise – ASEAN production of the B-segment offering at the Ford Manufacturing Thailand plant in Rayong was intimated as early as last year, during the previous Bangkok motor show.
The spotting of disguised test mules – clad in a yellow and black dazzle pattern scheme – back in January cemented its impending advent. As we guessed correctly last year, the front-wheel drive EcoSport debuts wearing a 1.5 Ti-VCT offering 108 PS and 138 Nm, mated to a six-speed Ford PowerShift automatic transmission or a five-speed manual transmission depending on market – we’re not likely to see the manual when the SUV eventually makes its way here.
In Bangkok, the top-of-the-line EcoSport Titanium is the showcase model – it’s finished in a distinctive Mars Red shade, replete with a sunroof, 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels and a chrome grille. The EcoSport, in case you’re not already aware of, sits on the Fiesta B2E platform.
Exterior elements include the spare tyre, with an exclusively designed wheel and cover, mounted on the tailgate as a classic SUV cue and for improved available cargo space in the vehicle. The 60/40 split rear seats can be tumbled against the front seats, and in that configuration the boot space is a neat 705 litres.
The interior, meanwhile, features soft-touch fabrics and the global Ice Blue dashboard illumination. Key equipment includes Smart Keyless Entry and push-start ignition, a Ford SYNC system, rear parking sensors and Hill Launch Assist.
Safety kit includes dual front airbags and side curtain airbags, as well as ABS and ESP. No word on when the SUV arrives in Malaysia, but it should be soon enough now that Thai production takes off. In the meantime, enjoy the first live shots we have of the Ford EcoSport from the show – Jonathan says there were too many people around to do a more complete run of interior shots earlier, but we’ll update the gallery when he gets the snaps.
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arrrr….can they hide the spare tyre at the back?
Buy a Hilux, it looks better and cheaper!
interior like current fiesta…dullll
This is the car I’ve been waiting for!
Yes, this compact SUV if priced at RM90K will be a big hit in Malaysia, especially with the pretty good safety features. Also good for banjir kilat, I meant the height.
The ‘yes’ is not for me, I just tried to perceive it at a lower level.
RM90k not big hit. but, can get some sales. :)
Why? Toyota Rush, not doing really good job also..
but probably it’s a 7 seater.. some people buying Rush, don’t want it to be a 7 seater.
Ford Ecosport, Challenging Rush’s sales!
Push start not starr
Cheers
Haha, keyboard slip. Thanks. Corrected.
Nice, a Toyota Rush contender has arrived but pity no EcoBoost
the rear spare wheel have to go, it is too dangerous for rear collision impact especially for the car that is hit behind it if the wheel does come out and flown on or to a pedestrian or road users on the other or opposite lanes.
not bad overall but the exterior mounted spare wheel screams the 90s!!
Looking good!
Is the interior the improved version from the European market or the original South American one?
An Ecosport without Ecoboast? Funny enough.
And 1.5 litre with only 108ps and 138Nm? The engine tuned in vietnam ah? Even the old long serving toyota 1.5 1NZ-FE in the vios has higher numbers…
I gurantee, you won’t be able to tell the additional 1PS and 3Nm of the 1NZ-FE engine.
This engine is actually already in use in the Thai-spec Fiesta. It’s officially rated at 109PS and 140Nm of torque.
It’s FWD right? Torsion beam rear suspension?
Kon, front-wheel drive, yes. And yes, the B2E platform wears a twist beam.
I heard that China has an AWD version, that one should have independent rear suspension.
@Kon, not China.
Its Brazil who has a 4WD version. It has a 2.0 liter engine (flex-fuel, and I believe no variable cam timing) and a fully independent rear suspension.
That performance figure, that power-plant, that look, that wheel at the back, I have to admit I’am a tad bit disappointed. But when cars in the segment includes a pricey Nautica(anyone remembered it?) and a spartan Toyota Rush, It’s not bad. But not awesome like other cars in Ford’s range(Fiesta, Focus, Kuga. Just hope it has a 5 digit price tag.
why no ecoboost?
i notice toyota rush road tax is RM180 on the price list. any body know why?
wonder will this ford compact suv also RM180 road tax.
I will buy this car ASAP in Malaysia. Because Good feature , good safety ,