Ford is readying a facelift of its top-selling subcompact SUV EcoSport that will be launched in India this festive season. While the model will receive cosmetic and feature update, one of the major changes on the EcoSport facelift will be the all-new 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine from Ford’s Dragon series. While the new petrol unit will debut with EcoSport facelift, the company will also use Dragon units in its upcoming small car range. Aside from the EcoSport model, the 1.5-litre unit will also be seen in Ford’s Honda City rivalling mid-size sedan, being built on company’s new B563 platform.
In tandem with the tax benefits for small cars in India, the company will also introduce a 1.2-litre unit from its famed Dragon family of engines. This engine could be seen in the next-gen Figo and Aspire, likely to be launched by 2019. In addition, Ford could also use it in its premium hatchback being developed on the new B563 platform.
While details on the new Dragon engines are yet under the wraps, it is believed that these units will be crafted to comply with the future emission norms. In terms of technology, these units will pack in an integrated exhaust manifold, a rocker shaft with hydrodynamic bearings, dual-valve independent valve control and a variable oil pump. Besides, there will be separate ignition coils for each cylinder, hydraulic tappets with rotor arms and spark plugs. Composed of aluminium, these engines will be over 10 per cent lighter than the current Sigma units. Also Read – Upcoming Ford Cars In India
New Ford EcoSport Images
To keep price in check, Ford will develop these engines in India at its Sanand facility. Reports in media suggest that India will be the production base for the Dragon series of engines and Ford will soon make an official announcement on the same.
