The Cooper Motor Corporation (CMC), the exclusive distributor for Ford in Uganda, has unveiled the new Ford EcoSport compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) at its dealership in Nakawa.
The Ford EcoSport offers customers more style, comfort, capability, and choice – blending rugged SUV functionality with city car practicality – making it more appealing and competitive than ever.
Featuring enhanced dynamic, rugged and refined exterior styling, the new EcoSport reflects the latest design cues of Ford’s larger SUV models and its proud heritage in this segment.
“We are thrilled to introduce the new Ford EcoSport to the Uganda market,” said Herman Mbalasi, the Country Manager CMC.
“The vehicle comes with more advanced features, more refined styling, and more sophisticated technologies. Drivers will feel more comfortable and self-assured than ever at the wheel,” Mbalasi added.
Richard Musani, the Brand Manager Ford Uganda explains that the EcoSport features enhancements in both exterior and interior design, new and upgraded smart and safety features and improvements in driving performance and fuel efficiency.
“The Ford EcoSport is an SUV in a league of its own – combining quality design, rugged capability, modern features, superior fuel economy and great value for money,” Musani said.
Powerful and efficient
The new Ford EcoSport is powered by Ford’s proven range of 1.5-litre engines, linked to front-wheel drive. The 1.5 TiVCT petrol unit produces 90kW (123PS) of power matched to a peak torque output of 151Nm. It is available with a five-speed manual on Ambience only or in automatic guise across the series line up.
Rugged and refined styling
The new Ford EcoSport features bold, dynamic Ford SUV styling. A sculpted bonnet with a central bulge delivers a cleaner front-end appearance. The front-end design is dominated by a new large trapezoidal grille design and distinctive angular headlights that incorporate stylish LED daytime running lights on the range-topping EcoSport Titanium. Angular fog light housings complete a front three-quarter profile that was inspired by the straps of a rucksack and designed to reflect an adventurous character.
EcoSport’s rear bumper and tail light designs also are revised to deliver a cleaner, more sculpted appearance. Customers can choose from seven bold exterior colours, including Lightning Blue and Race Red. A new 16-inch alloy wheel design on the Trend and Titanium model complements the rugged, sporty character, with the latter featuring a distinctive Shadow Silver finish.
EcoSport now also delivers a new level of interior refinement with easier to use controls and soft-touch materials, and a new centre console ergonomically designed for easy operation and featuring fewer buttons. New seats designs are optimised for greater front and rear occupant comfort and deliver a more upscale feel including partial leather on the Titanium model.
The interior features a host of smart stowage solutions, including an under-seat storage drawer located beneath the front passenger seat, along with a spacious rear luggage compartment with integrated cargo tie-down hooks.
The boot floor uses a special honeycomb construction that makes it gram-for-gram stronger than steel, and able to support more than 300 kg. A new centre console on the EcoSport Titanium features a built-in folding, sliding passenger armrest with a storage compartment ideal for tablet computers or snacks.
Sophisticated driver assistance technology
The new Ford EcoSport builds on the commanding SUV driving position and rewarding Ford driving dynamics to deliver an even easier and more enjoyable driving experience using advanced technologies.
Ford’s sophisticated SYNC®3 communications and entertainment system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto™. On the EcoSport Titanium, SYNC®3 is supported by the new floating, 8-inch colour touchscreen, which can be operated with pinch and swipe gestures.
On the Trend and Titanium, automatic headlight activation and rain-sensing wipers remove some of the stresses of driving and enable customers to better concentrate on the road ahead. Electronic Automatic Temperature Control further improves comfort on the Titanium, with the rest of the range equipped with manual air-conditioning.
Driver assistance and safety technologies common across all three specification levels comprise ABS brakes with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and only on selected models the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Hill Launch Assist (HLA) enables smooth pull-offs on steep inclines and declines.
Improved occupant protection includes driver and passenger front airbags on all models, supplemented by new curtain airbags that provide maximum side-impact coverage on the Trend and Titanium.
An engine immobiliser is fitted as standard on all models, bolstered by an integrated alarm system on the two higher-spec derivatives.
Environmentally friendly
The Ford EcoSport gets its environmentally friendly moniker from its internationally acclaimed 1.0-1.5 litre EcoBoost engine. This innovative Ford design brings together the power of a turbocharged engine with an eye-opening estimated fuel economy of about 5.7-6.5 litres per 100 kilometres, that will keep both your back pocket and the environment a lot happier.
