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      Mileage, style and craftsmanship in focus as Ford launches EcoSport in China

      CarTrade Editorial Team

      CarTrade Editorial Team

      Ford pulled the covers off the production model of its latest Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) EcoSport at the 2012 Auto China in Beijing on April 23, 2012. The modern look of this new-age car reflected the amount of concern shown by the car maker in ensuring that its sophisticated interiors complement its overall appearance.

      This all-new SUV from the house of Ford is centred on the aesthetics of today's design ethos and provides ample seating capacity for five occupants. Its unique cabin boasts of a high driver's position for unmatched visibility and unparalleled interior environment for perfect silence, along with materials that suit it perfectly. Such careful consideration towards the interiors ensures that they complement the attractive exteriors and make EcoSport the ideal compact urban vehicle for all purposes, from work to fun.

      The interiors of the EcoSport have been created to reflect the epitome of quality and craftsmanship, such that they exhibit the urban class, wherein capability and socialisation exist in the same ecosystem. With this new car, the company will introduce a host of technologies and features to the buyers. For the passengers, the class-leading design and engineering of the model means well-finished and seamlessly aligned surfaces; appealing and soft-to-the-touch fabrics; and quiet and refined interiors.

      While designing the EcoSport, Ford kept the expectations of the consumers at the core of its thoughts. From the material used in the car and the final usage of design elements, buyers can understand how much emphasis the company laid on low maintenance costs. Moreover, these features also reflect the level of durability involved in the process of developing the car. Ford subjected the vehicle to a host of tests that ascertained its durability under weather conditions, terrains and the applications in the areas it will be sold, thus making it perfect for individual markets.

      The finish of the exteriors of EcoSport provides the initial glimpse of the new standards the company has set for quality and production. This can be seen in the uniform fitting of the parts as well as the car's aerodynamic styling that was perfected in a wind tunnel, which are responsible for the sound quality of the interiors to a large extent. Boasting of modern design, EcoSport comes with a portfolio of technological features that are needed by the customers in a well-connected model. Moreover, these innovative features add to the distinguished, comfortable and welcoming driving experience that any buyer would look for in a car.

      According to Ehab Kaoud, Chief Designer, Ford South America, who headed the EcoSport’s design, commented, “The all-new EcoSport’s interior follows the contemporary and creative lines on the exterior. The captivating panel, the ergonomically friendly seats with soft-touch materials, and Ice Blue illumination help create an agreeable and inviting environment. It offers a level of interior quietness unmatched in its category.”

      The South American Product Development Centre of Ford located in Camacari, Brazil holds a unique position in the area. It has a total of 1,200 engineers and designers, who have access to the latest technologies, such as advanced CAD and CAE tools, which prove to be instrumental in developing vehicles. The Camacari unit is one of the eight Centres of Excellence that the American manufacturer operates; it runs in real time with other such units based throughout the world.

      Seamless, versatile and elegant lines of the EcoSport comply with the company's unique design language for the international market. It is centred on five elements chiefly - silhouette innovation, perceived efficiency, refined surface language, technical graphics and new face. The sinewy beltline of the car, which is made by the windows and door creases, creates a curve that moves upwards as it goes towards the rear and renders the characteristic of innovation to the compact SUV meant for the cities.

      EcoSport boasts of the distinctive 'Ford' front profile due to the integration of the large trapezoidal grille that is also present in the company's other new international models. The aerodynamic body lines of the car help it in delivering exceptional mileage and ensure coefficient drag of 0.365. Its inclined A pillars and the short hood render the model with a modern and sporty look, whereas the side profile gives rise to a sense of 'perceived efficiency'.

      This new model in the American car maker's line up features slim, long and oblique headlamps that add the technical touch to the car's design theme and back up its contemporary styling. On this, Kaoud commented, “The lines of the headlamps stretch towards the rear, allowing the air to flow around them. The dynamic line that stretches from the hood to the A-pillar and to the roof is another important highlight in the EcoSport’s modern appearance.”

      The clean and aggressive side profile of the EcoSport is attributed to the blacked-out B-pillars as well as side windows, which create a seamless look for the sides of the model. Towards the rear, the large window envelops the sides as well as the oblique tail lamps. Its swing gate handle is placed within the tail lamp and is another highlighting feature of the EcoSport. The rear, swing-out door holds the spare tyre whose wheel has been designed exclusively. It is a classic styling feature of SUVs that defines the sporty, modern and casual characteristics of the EcoSport vehicles. Ford has integrated all these features in the car without compromising on the grounds of robustness and efficiency, thus making it the best for any consumer.

      Interiors of the new EcoSport SUV are welcoming, comfortable and soothing to the senses. On the other hand, its contemporary and attractive body lines, judicious usage of material having variegated texture and high quality finish add value to the car. Consumers can choose soft touch fabrics in various attractive colours and patterns that go hand in hand with the tastes of today's consumers, whereas quality leather seating options will be available in a few markets.

      With its distinctively high driver's seating position, EcoSport provides excellent visibility and provides easy and comfortable access to the controls placed on the instrument panel. The unparalleled features of this compact SUV can be glimpsed through the ergonomically suited seats with anatomical cut-outs and side bolsters that provide the requisite support to the body. Rear seats of the car can be reclined as well as adjusted, which again enhances the passenger comfort and convenience factor of the model. The applications of these seats are enhanced by their quick fold-down system and safety hooks that help fasten the child restraint seats.

      EcoSport's central console has its own distinctive character, which is complemented by the centrally placed LCD screen and SYNC controls that add to the modern features of the car. The aesthetics of the interiors of the model are further enhanced by the air vents that add to cabin's functionality as well as looks by following the asymmetrical cutaways. EcoSport's cockpit has a host of storage options that are easy to access and improve the levels of on-board practicality and comfort. Overall the car has 20 intelligent storage spaces worth 21 litres for placing goods.

      With emphasis on quality, class and uniqueness, Ford selected the best material for finishing after careful market research and consumer interaction. The top end variant of the model, which has been christened Ford EcoSport Titanium, creates a contemporary and best-in-class environment centred on a black panel and finish that is made more eye-catching with judicious use of striking silver details. Ford has made full application of its unmatched engineering design capabilities to ensure high torsional strength of the frame that work cohesively with the variegated factors to maintain silence in the cabin of the EcoSport.

      The low Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels of the EcoSport make sure that its acoustic quality is exceptional. Passengers can glimpse the minimal vibrations when the car comes to a halt, during dynamic assessments as well as while it runs. Moreover, the low wind and engine noise of the model can be observed as the vehicle passes by at considerable speeds. Noise reduction in the EcoSport is also attributed to the optimal fit of the design and the quality of construction of variegated interior parts. Thus, the latest SUV by Ford is perfect for holding any kind of conversations, for listening to music and enjoying the soothing silence.

      Ford | Ford EcoSport | EcoSport