Europe: Ford EcoSport to lose tailgate-mounted spare wheel

In November 2014, we had reported that the Ford EcoSport could lose its tailgate-mounted spare wheel. A test mule of the reworked version of the car had been spotted on test. Now comes the news that the EcoSport will be offered without the exterior spare wheel in Europe from May 2015. It will be available as an optional extra at no extra cost. The tailgate of the car will continue to be side-hinged.

The relocation of the spare wheel results in the number plate housing being moved from the bumper to the tailgate and the bumper itself being to reworked to iron out the area where the number plate was earlier housed.

The EcoSport is also likely to get new, better quality plastics for its interiors and an updated infotainment system. The suspension of the car is also likely to receive some changes.

No changes are expected to the engines of the EcoSport. It will continue to be powered by the same 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder EcoBoost petrol, 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder TiVCT petrol and 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder TDCi diesel engines.

Ford has not revealed any plans of launching the updated EcoSport in India. However, we believe it will be shortly after the European launch.

Source: Automotive News Europe