AIMS: Ford confirms EcoSport

Ford Australia has announced it will use next month’s Australian International Motor Show in Sydney to stage the local debut of its all-new EcoSport compact crossover, which remains due on sale here by the end of 2013 and therefore may not hit showrooms for more than a year.

Also now confirmed for Ford’s relatively small 484 square-metre Sydney show stand, which will be supplemented by a large outdoor interactive presence, is the new Focus ST due on sale in October, Ford Performance Vehicles’ recently released GT RSPEC sedan and Pursuit Ute, and Ford Performance Racing’s new EcoBoost-liveried V8 Supercar racer.

The latter will do battle with Holden, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz under new ‘Car of the Future’ regulations in next year’s V8 Supercar championship, while the GT RSPEC and Pursuit Ute are now on sale at selected FPV dealers, priced at a respective $76,990 and $57,990plus on-road costs.

Ford has released no new information on the Brazilian-designed EcoSport, which will do battle in Australia’s booming sub-compact SUV segment with Holden’s forthcoming Trax small SUV armed with a 88kW/170Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost turbo-petrol engine.

The same engine will debut here in the Fiesta upon which the EcoSport is based, while Ford Australia’s smallest ever SUV will be sold in nearly 100 counties and positioned here beneath the Kuga and homegrown Territory, priced from about $25,000.

“EcoSport is a tough and robust vehicle and a perfect fit for our SUV portfolio, which includes Kuga and the award-winning Territory,” said Ford Australia President and CEO, Bob Graziano.

“EcoSport is an exciting vehicle for us and AIMS is a great opportunity to showcase this great looking newcomer.

“EcoSport will also showcase some innovative smart technologies, as well as the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. As the EcoSport is based on the same platform as Fiesta, our customers can expect excellent ride and handling characteristics.

“EcoSport is great for crowded urban streets and it will inspire customers to seek adventure away from the city too. When EcoSport arrives our customers will have more choice.”

Joining the EcoSport, FPV RSPECs and FPR racer in Sydney will be the Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo, Falcon, Kuga, Territory and Ranger.

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