Ford EcoSport BS-VI Spotted Testing Ahead Of India Launch: Spy Pics And Details

We expect the BS-VI compliant EcoSport to be launched sometime next year, ahead of the deadline for the new emission norms on 1 April 2020. The company had earlier confirmed that they will make their entire range of cars BS-VI compliant before the new emission norms kicked in.

The current-generation Ford EcoSport is offered with three engine options - a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 121bhp that comes mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic torque converter, a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 123bhp that's paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox, and a 100bhp, 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine which is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Ford is working towards making the 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines BS-VI complaint. However, the 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine will not be carried forward to the new-generation EcoSport in India, because of high upgrade costs and low sales numbers.

Replacing the 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine will be the Mahindra's 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine which is used in the company's compact SUV the TUV300, thanks to Ford's collaboration with Mahindra for cross-manufacturing between two brands.

Ford had launched a new variant of the EcoSport back in June, with minor design changes appealing to the younger generation buyers. Called "Thunder" , the compact SUV featured a various blacked-out elements.

Up front, the fog lamps bezels, the front grille, and the faux skid plate, are all finished in gloss black. The highlight of the changes include the dual-tone bonnet, part of which is decked in gloss black.

The Thunder variant of the compact SUV features new alloy wheels that are also finished in black, but with a satin matte finish. There are black-coloured decals on the doors as well.

The interiors carry a brown dual-tone theme across the cabin. The brown detailing can be seen on the seats, door panels, passenger grab handles, center armrest, and even on the surrounds for the center console - Here are more details.

The Ford EcoSport has been around since 2013 in India, and is one of the oldest models in the segment. It has done well, and has registered high sales numbers in the past. With the current competition in the segment we hope the EcoSport gets a major overhaul in the upcoming model.

Thoughts About The EcoSport BS-VI Variant

While all other manufacturers have announced that they will discontinue their smaller capacity diesel engines, Ford has stood their ground and are taking their diesel engines forward by making it BS-VI compliant.

The company's success in India has majorly been with diesel powertrains, and they are looking to keep the momentum going even after the implementation of new emission norms.