Here you have it folks, the all-new Ford EcoSport has been launched in Malaysia at an official unveiling ceremony held at Symphony Lake Suites, KLCC Park. The latest addition to the Ford Malaysia line-up is a perfect alternative to the compact car for crowded urban streets and it inspires you to seek adventure away from the city too. Its footprint is small enough for the city, yet it’s strong and sporty enough for trips to the mountains or countryside.
On the outside, the new Ford EcoSport’s bold, contemporary styling, rugged yet aerodynamic shape and raised stance combine to create a striking presence. With features that include 16″ alloy wheels, front and rear skid plates, a rear-mounted spare wheel and silver roof rails, this sporty-looking SUV sits equally well in both town and country. Apart from that, the 200mm of ground clearance makes every stretch of road easier to negotiate – while giving you a better view of the road ahead. And with its ability to wade through 550 millimeters of water, drivers can confidently drive through large pools of water, which is especially handy during Malaysia’s monsoon season.
The car’s cabin on the other hand, provides a commanding position for the driver as well as plenty of room for up to 5 passengers to stretch out in comfort. There is also plenty of cargo space inside; fold-down the 60:40 rear seats and you get 705 litres of space in the back that is big enough to fit a 560-litre washing machine! Keep one of the split rear seats up and fold the other down to fit different-shaped objects.
The new Ford EcoSport also features a range of advanced technologies including Ford SYNC voice-activated in-car connectivity system, available in both English and Mandarin for the first time in Malaysia. Other smart and convenient features include follow-me-home lights, Smart Keyless Entry, Ford Power Start and rear parking aid with park pilot as well as an auto-dimming rear-view mirror that prevents the driver from being blinded by the headlamps of following cars by detecting glare from lights behind.
Although it is a compact SUV or ‘Crossover’, the EcoSport comes only with a 2WD drivetrain. Powering the front wheels is a familiar engine lifted from the Fiesta, a 1.5-litre TI-VCT DOHC 16-valve that punches out 110bhp and 142Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed Powershift automatic transmission. Across the globe, the EcoSport is powered by an array of powertrains, including the all-new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine found in the Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost variant.
In terms of safety, Ford EcoSport comes equipped with dual front airbags and side curtain airbags, Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction Control, Hill Launch Assist, EPATS Immobilizer and ISOFIX as standard feature.
The Ford EcoSport that is offered by Ford Malaysia comes in two variants; the “Trend” and “Titanium”, and while both share the same powertrain, there are various additions that set the two apart. For instance, the Titanium variants adds in a sunroof, 7 airbags, chrome front grille, auto headlamps and automatic rain sensor as standard features. As for retail price, the EcoSport Trend costs RM92,888 while the Titanium will set you back RM103,888.
As with all Ford passenger vehicles available in Malaysia, the new EcoSport comes with Ford’s Extended Service Plan (ESP) of free three-year or 60,000km maintenance programme that covers parts and labour free of charge.
In addition to routine inspection and maintenance services, Ford’s ESP covers free replacements for selected wear-and-tear items, including spark plugs, shock absorbers, engine belts, brake pads and wiper blades as well.
The all-new Ford EcoSport is now ready for viewing and test drives across all Ford showrooms nationwide. Meanwhile, read our first impression of the Ford EcoSport here.
