FORD ECOSPORT
Although Ford didn’t have too much by way of new products at this year’s Auto Expo, it did nonetheless have a star attraction – the Ecosport. The Ecosport is a compact SUV that was unveiled, following an exclusive sneak peek the evening before the expo kicked off, to the world at Pragati Maidan.
Although Ford didn’t have too much by way of new products at this year’s Auto Expo, it did nonetheless have a star attraction – the Ecosport. The Ecosport is a compact SUV that was unveiled, following an exclusive sneak peek the evening before the expo kicked off, to the world at Pragati Maidan.
The Ecosport is a compact SUV that was unveiled, following an exclusive sneak peek the evening before the expo kicked off, to the world at Pragati Maidan during the 2012 Auto Expo.
The Ecosport uses the same platform as the recently launched Fiesta sedan but is a completely different vehicle. As J Mays, group VP and chief creative offi cer, Ford Motor Company explained on the night of the exclusive preview, the Ecosport was Ford’s interpretation of the new age urban 5-seater SUV. A vehicle that would promise the comforts and drive feel of a saloon car but one that would offer the fl exibility of use of an SUV.
The bigger star of the Ecosport package however was undoubtedly the engine option that was announced. For the Ford Ecosport was revealed to the Indian public with an astounding 1-litre three-cylinder petrol engine! This though is no ordinary petrol engine, but the latest (and smallest) unit from Ford’s award winning EcoBoost range.
As a result it not only features turbocharging but also direct injection. Together, these two technologies allow this otherwise small capacity 1-litre engine to produce the same power and torque as would be produced by a regular 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine.
Consequently, the Ecosport that was shown boasted a peak 120bhp and 170Nm of max torque! At the same time, its small capacity will mean this powerful little machine will nonetheless be highly efficient.
This however is only a show car and a launch is only expected next year. And then, we expect, Ford to launch this vehicle with a diesel engine option as well. Also, we expect that unlike what Ford did with the Fiesta, it will now follow the Figo’s lead with the pricing of this promising proposition and will keep it to a relatively competitive Rs.8-10 lakh range.
AVANTI
From commuters to SUVs to ULCs to even sportscars we have built everything in the past. The one thing that has been missing is a supercar. Come 2013 though India will get its first indigenous supercar – the Avanti, courtesy DC Designs.
The Avanti, which was supposed to be India's first indigenous supercar that was to be launched in 2013.
The Avanti would be powered by a specially tuned Ford EcoBoost 2-litre four-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve engine. This unit not only features turbocharging with direct injection but also features VVT (variable valve timing) and this helps it put out power and torque normally available from a 3-litre engine. Max power therefore will be 240bhp at 5500rpm with a massive 366Nm of maximum torque developed at 3500rpm. The engine will be mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.
The car is expected to be launched with a pricetag hovering around Rs.30 lakh, ex-showroom.
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