Order books for the updated Ford EcoSport are now officially open, with prices starting from £14,245 and first deliveries expected to arrive this October.
Based on the Fiesta, the supermini-derived crossover now benefits from a variety of styling and body upgrades, alongside improvements to its driving dynamics and a range of new equipment options.
The re-jigged mini SUV now gets the option of removing the tailgate-mounted spare wheel in favour of a tyre repair kit, while the tailgate itself has been revised to allow easier access to the boot. Other tweaks include the addition of a new EcoSport badge on the rear, plus a range of interior updates.
Part-leather upholstery now comes with Titanium trims, while all EcoSport models come with optional privacy glass and Ford’s SYNC infotainment system with a four-inch touchscreen as standard.
Inside, it now features a charcoal black lower instrument panel, centre console and door boards, while the instrument cluster now features a dimming function and chrome-surround rings.
Additionally, buyers can specify the optional Winter Pack, which adds a heated windscreen, plus heated mirrors and seats, while satnav and a rear view camera are also listed as new extras.
Ford’s engineers have also responded to criticisms of a soggy ride by tweaking the springs, dampers and power steering, while a stiffer rear torsion beam and 10mm reduction in body height reduces body roll.
Finally, the Ford EcoSport has been enhanced with thicker sound-deadening materials to increase refinement, while gearboxes and engines have been revised to offer slightly more power and torque.
The 1.5-litre diesel now offers 94bhp, a 5bhp improvement over the previous version, and delivers up to 64.2mpg with just 115g/km of CO2 emissions, meaning that it’s now Euro 6-compliant.
Likewise, Ford claims that the 123bhp 1.0-litre petrol EcoBoost delivers up to 52.3mpg with just 125g/km of CO2, while the larger 1.5-litre petrol engine can deliver 44.8mpg with 149g/km of CO2.
