New images show Ford's Ford Fiesta-based small SUV, which will replace the Ford Ecosport in the firm’s range, carrying out winter testing.
The new compact crossover has been photographed sporting heavily disguised Fiesta-based bodywork but with a clear SUV-style raised ride height.
The as-yet-unnamed model, which could retain the Ecosport nameplate or take on a new identity more closely aligned to the Fiesta, will serve as a replacement for the ageing Ecosport as the smallest model in Ford’s SUV range.
Linking the styling of the new car closer to the Fiesta could help Ford increase its competitiveness in the fast-growing crossover market. The Fiesta was the best-selling car in Britain in 2018, while the Ecosport has long struggled against rivals such as the Nissan Juke and Seat Arona.
The car is set to share a platform - and possibly an engine range, including the popular Ecoboost petrol powertrains - with the Fiesta. That means it's likely to be front-wheel drive, although a four-wheel-drive system could potentially be carried over from the current Ecosport.
It will sit alongside the Fiesta Active, a jacked-up version of the supermini.
Ford has not specified when the new compact SUV will be unveiled, but a launch is expected within the next two years as the Ecosport has been available in its current form for six years.
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Who cares?
Except was there ever a worse name than Ecosport?
They should have done this years ago...
Instead of foisting the plug-ugly EcoSport on the European market. How many Captur/Juke/2008/Mokka etc sales could they have grabbed by now if they had?
This could be a very good car
I know small SUVs don't really appeal to us car enthusiasts but they tend to offer a very practical package in a compact footprint for sensible money. If Ford can add some driving interest into the mix, which is notably lacking from most of the competition, then you could have a very complete and appealing car.
Will86
Yes, where JLR could have gone with the Freelander, but dropped it instead.
That bloke wrote:
100%! - JLR will see the market for their vehicles wiped out in the next 2-3 years.
All manufacturers are setting up shop on the SUV turf and will inevitably do it better than JLR, they'll actually work.
Jaguar Land Rover - the next gen British Leyland.
.....Here's hoping the new owners wholesale fire the management so this mess can be fixed!