[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by urajkumar

Now my focus has shifted to Ford! While its a long wait but at least hope its worth it. Heard from souces in Ford that delay was launched based on thier learnings with the Fiesta debacle & so they are looking at aggressive localization to bring down the costs! I think they would cost this on par with Duster and that itself would be aggressive considering its much better interiors & freshness!

We are sailing in the same boat. Me too eagerly awaiting the Ecosport to hit the showrooms. You are right, Ford is trying for aggressive localization to bring down the costs (lessons learnt from the Fiesta debacle?). I have come to know (from Mustang.101 on another forum) that the cylinder head supplier for the diesel engine has not geared up yet & that is causing some delay in the Indian Ecosport schedule.

Originally Posted by urajkumar

My only hope is Ford eco-sport at least gives airbags & ABS in its petrol version.

If you look at the Fiesta specs, then even the lowest of the variants ie. Style comes equipped with ABS (EBD), driver side & front passenger side airbags. So I am pretty sure Ford won't skip on these features in the petrol version of the Ecosport, particularly so for the Ecoboost variant.

[urajkumar]

Originally Posted by AutoIndian

We are sailing in the same boat. Me too eagerly awaiting the Ecosport to hit the showrooms. You are right, Ford is trying for aggressive localization to bring down the costs (lessons learnt from the Fiesta debacle?). I have come to know (from Mustang.101 on another forum) that the cylinder head supplier for the diesel engine has not geared up yet & that is causing some delay in the Indian Ecosport schedule.
.

Dont beat me up on this Autoindian but my views changed after i looked at the Duster...check my latest post. The other reason is Ford Eco-sport looks like a long wait & i am getting impatient. Final call after taking a test drive which they said might take 10 days. So right now in a confused state of mind.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ml#post2830305

" I have to eat my words! After cribbing about lack of value and no features earlier, i shamelessly went to thier showroom just now. Trust me, just one look and i am now quite sure i am going to book the petrol vehicle now. It looks really wonderful in flesh & has decent space as well. Thought i didnt like the way the doors shut.

To again try to redeem some respect for my initial reactions, i went to Honda showroom to check out the prices. Check this out

Honda City (Corporate edition) Vs Duster Petrol RXE
8.41 lakhs on road --Vs-- 8.46 lakhs on road
1.5 liter engine --Vs-- 1.6 liter engine
Basic features --Vs-- Again basic features
Sedace uncle looks --Vs-- WOW! Butch SUV looks


ok Comparison over! Duster pulls my heart strings much much better than the Honda City. Period. Other than the sore point of not getting Airbags in Duster, i do like the RXE version (petrol). Since 98% of my driving is in City, guess as usual i have to let go of airbags, ABS etc.

I am now drooling on thought of getting a RXE (Petrol), add a good looking alloys, Fog light cluster, Music system with Rear camera. Voila - A stunning looking SUV at less than 10 lakhs! "

[rameshnanda]

Originally Posted by urajkumar

Honda City (Corporate edition) Vs Duster Petrol RXE
8.41 lakhs on road --Vs-- 8.46 lakhs on road
1.5 liter engine --Vs-- 1.6 liter engine
Basic features --Vs-- Again basic features
Sedace uncle looks --Vs-- WOW! Butch SUV looks

My advice would be Test drive the Petrol Duster and then take a call. Eventhough City has 1.5 litre engine, it is more powerful, refined and fun to drive.

[selfdrive]

Originally Posted by urajkumar

ok Comparison over! Duster pulls my heart strings much much better than the Honda City. Period. Other than the sore point of not getting Airbags in Duster, i do like the RXE version (petrol). Since 98% of my driving is in City, guess as usual i have to let go of airbags, ABS etc.

I guess you just like the Duster more as a kind of utility vehicle which the Honda City is not. If you are driving in the city 98% of the time, why do you need a SUV? I dont think Chennai roads are that bad to ask for more GC etc.

[MAS]

Originally Posted by selfdrive

I guess you just like the Duster more as a kind of utility vehicle which the Honda City is not. If you are driving in the city 98% of the time, why do you need a SUV? I dont think Chennai roads are that bad to ask for more GC etc.

Completely

A visit to Chennai will completely change your perception. The roads in Chennai during rains disappear and transform into lakes which can surprise you with a dozen foot deep pot holes. GC in Chennai is a high priority.

I used to drive a Fusion with 197 mm as GC. With 168 mm on the New Fiesta, i have to be absolutely "absolutely" careful while driving on unknown roads.

[urajkumar]

Originally Posted by selfdrive

I guess you just like the Duster more as a kind of utility vehicle which the Honda City is not. If you are driving in the city 98% of the time, why do you need a SUV? I dont think Chennai roads are that bad to ask for more GC etc.

Come to Chennai now especially with all the Metro work going on! Its a mess! Besides i am a tall guy & always wanted an SUV for its road presence as my next vehicle! Something where i can get-in & get out comfortably.

Originally Posted by rameshnanda

My advice would be Test drive the Petrol Duster and then take a call. Eventhough City has 1.5 litre engine, it is more powerful, refined and fun to drive.

Yes sir! waiting for the TD & team BHP review as well since till date no one has driven the Petrol vehicle (in the auto mag reviews) and it is the deciding factor. However sales guy said it would take 10 days to get the petrol vehicle & so its a long wait!

Originally Posted by MAS

Completely

A visit to Chennai will completely change your perception. The roads in Chennai during rains disappear and transform into lakes which can surprise you with a dozen foot deep pot holes. GC in Chennai is a high priority.

I used to drive a Fusion with 197 mm as GC. With 168 mm on the New Fiesta, i have to be absolutely "absolutely" careful while driving on unknown roads.

[MAS]

Originally Posted by urajkumar

Besides i am a tall guy & always wanted an SUV for its road presence as my next vehicle! Something where i can get-in & get out comfortably.

I would suggest you to get a proper SUV then. Duster is a short car with a high GC. As you are tall, you will be actually sitting on a short seat with your knees pointing towards the wind shield with little or no thigh support. This will cause a lot of heel pain especially during long drives.

Getting back to the topic, i have lost any interest on the Duster and am eagerly waiting for the Ecosport. I will go in the 1.5 Litre Diesel (the same engine that powers my Ford Fiesta) and i simply hope Ford does not get carried away by the pricing of the Duster.

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by MAS

Getting back to the topic, i have lost any interest on the Duster and am eagerly waiting for the Ecosport. I will go in the 1.5 Litre Diesel (the same engine that powers my Ford Fiesta) and i simply hope Ford does not get carried away by the pricing of the Duster.

Ford is in a bit of a tricky situation here. If they price it below the Fiesta, it will clearly kill the almost dead Fiesta sales. And if the price goes above Fiesta, it may go above the competition (read Duster). Hope they don’t do much of cost cutting by compromising on safety options / quality.

On a separate note, Ford so far has enjoyed success with every alternate model in India. By that logic, the next in line should be a success

[kmadhok]

Originally Posted by parrys

• Ford says that the EcoSport will look almost identical at launch. Only a few minor changes will be made. My guess on the changes : Less flashy front grille, headlamp redesign, smaller wheel/tyre combo (slightly reduced ride height), no spare tyre mounted on the rear tailgate.

I hope you are wrong about the front grille and headlamp redesign, I for one them. But in all probability you are right. Will be on the look out for the AT version. (OT: Surprisingly the Duster did not have an AT option).

[sumitn543]

Post deleted by the Team-BHP Support : Please do NOT post one-liners that add little or no informational value to the thread. We need your co-operation to maintain the overall quality of this forum.

Please read our rules before proceeding any further.

[shajufx]

Its natural to see the word 'Duster' mentioned here in every post So the waiting has become all the more exclusive now ! I really hope Ford does not repeat what they did with the Fiesta launch after the Verna took the market for a ride. I see more fluidic vernas on road than fiesta or is it just me ?

I am sure it will be worth the wait to see the final Ecosport in flesh before taking decision on anything. Ford is anyday better in the dealer/service network than Renault as far as I understand. And I never had any bad experiences with my Fiesta throughout my 2 year ownership. Are the booking number figures to be completely believed of the duster ? Or is it another hype ?

[skjlives]

Originally Posted by shajufx

I see more fluidic vernas on road than fiesta or is it just me ?

Are you kidding? Whenever I see a new Fiesta on the road I get all excited and scream to my co-passengers - "Look look! There's someone with a new Ford Fiesta!" Very similar to how I react when I see a Jaguar XF. You get the drift

For some reason (mostly hoping against hopelessness), I believe Ecosport will be priced well. I am looking to replace my wife's petrol Ritz with that, come January '13.

[MAS]

Originally Posted by sumitn543

The Eco Sports is likely to come with an upgraded version of the Figo’s 1.2-litre petrol engine

Are you sure of this? Ford's website shows Ecosport will sport the 1.0 Litre Ecoboost Engine. I don't think Ford will go with the 1.2 Litre Petrol engine of the Figo as it would be a step backwards for Ford and the Ecosport.

Got to read this on IAB; Lucky Brazilians. I will try to call my colleague in Brazil and get first hand info.

Ford EcoSport to be launched in Brazil in August – 1/100 markets ticked

The Renault Duster was launched in India two days back. It has already caused a quite a stir in the market. With 4,000 pre-bookings in place for the Duster, Renault is ready to start a whole new compact SUV segment in India.

The Mahindra mini Xylo is next in line to hit this segment with brute force. The Ford EcoSport will join this bandwagon in early 2013.

However Ford has started its preparations for the EcoSport launch in Brazil. Earlier we brought you the unique marketing campaign that Ford Brazil has adopted for the EcoSport.

Now, Autossegredos reports that the Ford EcoSport will be launched in the month of August. The date is estimated to fall between the 3rd and 5th of August in the famous Praia da Pipa, Rio Grande do Norte.

The impatient Brazilians interested to buy the EcoSport can pre-book it tomorrow. Ford Brazil has adopted another unique marketing strategy to start the pre-bookings of the EcoSport. There will be an event conducted at Farringdon Park in Porto Alegre. A Ford EcoSport will suspended by crane, and descend a little each time the ‘like’ button (which is next to the crane) is pressed.

When the car hits the ground, enrollments will be open on the Novo EcoSport 2012 ? Ford.

I had been to Porto Alegre thrice and how i wish i could be there in August to witness this amazing launch program of EcoSport.

This car looks so much modern when compared to the Duster. Bring it on Ford, please give us a Diwali gift by launching the EcoSport this Diwali.

Some pictures along with the features from Novoecosport.com. Excuse the "literal" translation made by google.

The Ecosport sport 16 inch alloys. Sweet.




I guess it means High ground clearance.



















Now.. I am drooling over the looks.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by MAS

Are you sure of this? Ford's website shows Ecosport will sport the 1.0 Litre Ecoboost Engine. I don't think Ford will go with the 1.2 Litre Petrol engine of the Figo as it would be a step backwards for Ford and the Ecosport.

Got to read this on IAB; Lucky Brazilians. I will try to call my colleague in Brazil and get first hand info.

I had been to Porto Alegre thrice and how i wish i could be there in August to witness this amazing launch program of EcoSport.

This car looks so much modern when compared to the Duster. Bring it on Ford, please give us a Diwali gift by launching the EcoSport this Diwali.

Some pictures along with the features from Novoecosport.com. Excuse the "literal" translation made by google.

The Ecosport sport 16 inch alloys. Sweet.

I guess it means High ground clearance.

Now.. I am drooling over the looks.

Yes ,this vehicle is drool worthy alright! It has the good looks to set that segment of the market alight! Every well off College Kid will want one, like twenty years ago every affluent college boy wanted a Gypsy.

Lucky Brazilians. I wish Ford would give the same importance to India!

[octane_100]

Drool stuff alright!!

At the cost of repeating myself:
FORD, please give us good build (unlike the Figo), reliability and safety features. You may skimp on voice activation, cruise control and other silly electronics. We don't care!