The upcoming Ford C-SUV will be based on the monocoque front wheel drive that will underpin the next-gen Mahindra XUV500.
Ford Motor Company is expected to launch the much-awaited C-segment SUV in the Indian market in the second half of 2021. This will be the first product to be launched under the Ford-Mahindra joint venture. The duo is also developing two new mid-sized SUVs – the Mahindra XUV400 and the Ford B745 (Codename), which are slated to be launched in 2021-22.
The Ford C-SUV will be based on the same monocoque platform that underpins the next-gen Mahindra XUV500, which will be launched in the first quarter of 2021. In fact, the new XUV500 has already been spotted testing multiple times on the Indian roads. However, the Ford C-SUV is yet to hit the roads for testing purposes.
Not just platform, the Ford C-SUV will share several components from the XUV500. Previous media reports claim that the new model could share close to 75% of the components from the sibling Mahindra SUV. In fact, both SUVs will be produced at the same production-line. However, Ford engineers will tweak the chassis and suspension set-up, and the C-SUV will have Ford-like driving dynamics.
The Ford C-SUV will be offered with 2 engine options – a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, mStallion turbocharged petrol and a new 2.0L/2.2L turbocharged diesel engine. While the former is capable of producing 190bhp and 330Nm of torque, the diesel version churns out close to 180bhp and 400Nm of torque. Both manual and automatic versions will be on offer. Front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive system will be on offer.
The upcoming Ford C-SUV is most likely to be offered in both 5 and 7-seat options. The SUV will directly rival the likes of the MG Hector, Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass and others in its category. The SUV could be priced slightly higher than the next-gen Mahindra XUV500.
