Ford starts building EcoSport 2.0L petrol; only for exports

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Ford India has started production of the EcoSport with a 2.0-litre petrol engine. A quick search on Zauba shows that the company is exporting the compact SUV to Mexico. This engine will be offered only in international markets and won't be launched in India.

This 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine churns out 138 BHP and 186 Nm of torque. It is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and a DCT automatic gearbox is available as an option.

According to international reviews, the 2.0-litre petrol EcoSport feels sluggish to drive and hence, Indians aren't missing much with the absence of this engine option in the market. The EcoSport in India continues to be offered with a 1.5-litre diesel (which accounts for the majority of the sales), while petrol lovers have got the 1.0-litre EcoBoost at their disposal.

Ford will not launch the 2.0-litre petrol EcoSport here, since it will place the compact SUV in a higher excise duty bracket. This won't be beneficial in a price sensitive market like ours, especially at a time when the EcoSport's chief competitor, the Maruti Vitara Brezza, is pulling customers away from Ford showrooms.