New Ford EcoSport arrives in Brazil with a good price and lots of technology

Full of technology and with a new face, the Ford EcoSport 2018 landed in Brazil this week. In an event held in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, the 30km from Recife, the automaker has finally revealed the prices and versions of the all-new SUV. O showmetech been there and got to know the car up close, check it out:

In a Brazil dominated by compact SUVs, the new EcoSport bet on technology e cost benefit to stand out: from the global announcement of the model, carried out in June, the company had been promising aggressive prices and a lot of equipment on board, from the most basic version, the SE - in our experiences with the car, it can be said that the promise was fulfilled.

The car departs from 73.990 BRL in the SE version, which has, as standard, with 7 airbags, stability control (ESP), traction control (TCS), 15″ alloy wheels, tire pressure sensors, 6,5″ multimedia center touch sensor and a new 1.5-liter flex engine, with 137 horsepower – according to Ford, the SE version is aimed at consumers who enjoy sport, but don't dare a lot when buying.

The version FreeStyle is the intermediary and begins in the 81.490 BRL. In this edition, the car gets a reverse camera, LED daytime running lights and projector headlights, leather and fabric seats, 16″ alloy wheels, a air conditioning automatic and digital, in addition to a larger multimedia center, with 8 inches – the on-board computer screen is also bigger and better in this version: it is no longer monochromatic (2,3″), as it is on the SE, and becomes a color LCD (4,2″).

Both versions have the same engine 1.5 TiVCT Flex and 6-speed automatic transmission options: according to Ford, choosing an automatic transmission adds 5.000 BRL at the price of the car with manual transmission. It is also important to note that, in the versions no automatic transmission, the problematic exchange rate Powershift, is no longer offered. The new manual version has a gearbox 5 speeds.

Ending the availability and pricing part, let's not forget about the version Titanium, the most expensive and sophisticated: starting from the 93.990 BRL, the car comes standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission, a new flex engine 2.0, with 176 horsepower, xenon headlights, sunroof, rear view mirror with blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert, keyless start (no, the car does not have a traditional ignition), rain sensor and automatic headlights on, leather seats, Sony sound system with 9 speakers, electric sunroof and 17″ alloy wheels.

In addition to having almost everything that is in the FreeStyle e SE, the version Titanium also features some pampering in the internal finish: the car gets an interior in two tones and a more attentive painting of the internal doorknobs and other Details from the cabin.

evolution on the outside

O Ford EcoSport 2018 it was no secret in terms of design: the car was announced a few weeks ago at the Buenos Aires edition of the Auto Show. Anyway, we could test it and approve of its aesthetic – it's amazing how some changes to the grille and headlights have given a face much happier to the car. The current version, now old, was already tired after 5 years market share.

On the outside, the new EcoSport doesn't seem to have changed much. Although Ford calls it 'a new generation', the car looks more like it has received a face lift. But this is where you are wrong:

The automaker says it has changed several technical aspects on the exterior of the SUV. It got a new front, new rear bumpers, changes to the sides, new mirrors and even a reinforced structure – the car is quieter, 5% more rigid and more aerodynamic too; it even has a system that closes the front grille to reduce drag at high speeds.

The beautiful view of Pernambuco also favored the car, check out the photos:

Revolution from within

Although the outside is very beautiful, the larger e best changes in EcoSport come from your interior – poetic, no? The car gained a completely redesigned cabin, inspired by higher-priced models such as the Ford Edge.

From the simplest version, the car houses a completely new dashboard with much more technology: the multimedia center is the main addition to the interior, as it has the Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and sync 3, from Ford itself. The brand's system received visual and performance improvements: compared to previous and competing systems, Sync 3 looks more like a tablets - is enough Speed e responsive.

With regard to other embedded technologies, the car has electric mirrors, a new 7-speed digital air conditioning system, hill start assistant (HLA), headlights on and open doors warning, climate control glove box, audio controls, navigation and cruise control ( AT) on the steering wheel, electrochromic interior mirror (prevents the vision from being dazzled by intense light reflections) and voice commands in portuguese, for audio and telephone functions.

The car features a technology similar to that used by Chevrolet: in case of an accident, the EcoSport is able to call itself to the SAMU. In addition, another technology for security is Ford's exclusive RSC system - RSC uses gyroscopes and the variable speed of the wheels to prevent the car from overturning. The sensors are present from the SE version and calculate the data up to 100 times per second.

Ford still had the beautiful idea of ​​having two (!!!) USB ports on the car's center console. Both are illuminated and have power outputs. 2 amperes, which, in theory, recharges smartphone batteries more quickly.

Comfort and drivability

The new EcoSport It has larger seats than the previous version, 20 storage compartments throughout the cabin, height and depth adjustments for the steering wheel, as well as height and lumbar adjustments for the driver's seat. during a Test-drive the coastal region of Pernambuco, we could notice that the new car has a firmer grip and a good position for the driver – we tested the version 2.0 Titanium, which goes from 0 to 100 KM/H in about 9,6 seconds.

Like New TiVCT 1.5, Ford has the first engine 3 cylinder to equip an SUV in Brazil. The concept applied in Dragon mechanics is the downsizing, which reduces the size of the motor for the gain of efficiency and believe me: power. In this engine, the car has 137 horses, if fueled with ethanol, and 130 horses when fueled with gasoline – figures taller than many others in the entry versions, as Ford showed at the event.

already the engine Duratec 2.0, exclusive to version Titanium, it's not exactly new, however, coming from the Focus, it's a great set and makes the EcoSport the most powerful compact SUV on the market, that's if you forget about the torque, point where it lags behind the Chevrolet Tracker. In short, the 176 horses from 2.0 make the car respond very well to the driver's commands, even when charging 5 passengers.

automatic transmission 6F25, of 6 speeds, derives from Fusion and allows to change the gears on the steering wheel itself, through the system 'paddle shift'. In addition to retiring the most hated Powershift, which was automated, the new transmission seems to bring less stress to the owner: the oil, for example, lasts for whole lifespan of the vehicle.

From Brasil to the world

Despite having national DNA, the EcoSport will be spread over more than 140 countries in its new generation, being manufactured in Brazil, Russia, China, India, Venezuela and, in the future, in Romania. The car was made 'by' and 'for' Brazilians, however, the engineering here became overall in 2012 and the expansion of sales of the model, which until then were restricted to emerging markets, began to reach most developed countries – the car also arrives at EUA and Europe.

Arriving with such pomp outside, of course the SUV couldn't forget the your origins – that's why Ford's intentions for the model look alike very clear: price compatible with the market, however, with more equipment e T than competitors.

The author traveled at the invitation of Ford to Recife

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Technical specifications (all versions):

Download the complete sheet: EcoSport specifications

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