We informed you that Ford Motor Company and Mahindra & Mahindra have mutually decided to end their dicussions on the proposed automotive joint venture. Ford Motor Company’s independent operations in India will continue as is. The upcoming products under the new joint venture including the B-SUV and the Marazzo MPV have been cancelled. However, Ford C-SUV based on the new-gen Mahindra XUV500 will be introduced as brands have invested heavily on this product.
Adding to it, Ford will introduce a throughly updated EcoSport SUV in the next couple of months. The company is readying the next-gen EcoSport, which won’t come before the end of 2022. The facelifted model will be introduce to remain relevant in the fastest growing sub-4 meter SUV category.
The new 2021 Ford EcoSport facelift will receive Mahindra’s 1.2-litre mStallion TGDi turbocharged petrol engine, which will also power the soon-to-be-launched Mahindra XUV300 Sportz. This engine was first unveiled at the 2020 Auto Expo. It is capable of producing an impressive 130PS of power and a peak torque of 230Nm. The EcoSport facelift will continue to offer the tried & tested 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine that churns out 99bhp of power and 215Nm of torque.
The 2021 Ford EcoSport facelift will receive significant design changes to keep things fresh in the market. It is likely to receive an all-new front fascia, which resembles the Ford’s new larger SUVs on sale in International markets. It will have a large radiator grille, a triple LED DRL (Daytime Running Light) setup and sleek headlamp setup.
The SUV is also expected to receive noticeable changes inside the cabin. It is likely to receive a larger touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, revised dashboard design and added features. Expected to be launched in February 2021, the new EcoSport will challenge the likes of the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue and the Maruti Vitara Brezza.
