The new Ford EcoSport for the first time offers Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive technology for improved traction on- and off-road, combined with an advanced new 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel engine, delivering up to 123 bhp.

Also available for the first time as a sporty, Ford Performance-inspired EcoSport ST‑Line model, the new Ford EcoSport delivers driver assistance technologies including SYNC 3 connectivity, Cruise Control with Adjustable Speed Limiter and Rear View Camera.

The new model is offered in 12 bold colours and offers more personalisation options – including contrasting painted roof colour options that extend to the window pillars, upper door frames, rear roof spoiler and door mirrors. There’s a floating central 8-inch touchscreen, heated steering wheel and smart stowage solutions including an adjustable boot floor.

“Ford has sold more than 166,000 EcoSport compact SUVs in Europe since we first introduced the model to the region in 2014, and last year sales grew 40 per cent,” said Steven Armstrong, group vice president and president, Europe Middle East and Africa, Ford Motor Company. “The new Ford EcoSport offers customers even more style, comfort, capability and choice – blending rugged SUV functionality with city car practicality.”

The new Ford EcoSport for Europe is built at Ford’s manufacturing facility in Craiova, Romania, following a €200 million (about £175 million) investment, and joins the Ford Edge and Kuga SUV models on sale in Europe. A new SUV-inspired Fiesta Active crossover model also goes on sale in Europe next year.

The SUV segment is the fastest growing in Europe. Registrations of SUV models grew by more than 21 per cent year-on-year to account for more than one quarter of all new passenger car registrations in 2016. Last year, Ford’s SUV sales in Europe grew by more than 30 per cent. In the UK, over 40,000 EcoSports have been sold since its original introduction in 2013, with the Titanium model reaching 70 per cent of sales.

The new Ford EcoSport will offer four-wheel drive from mid-2018. The technology will be offered in combination with the all-new 1.5-litre Ford EcoBlue diesel engine and a six-speed manual gearbox, delivering 123 bhp and 221 ft lb of torque.

Intelligent All Wheel Drive measures how the car’s wheels are gripping the road surface and can adjust torque delivery up to 50/50 between the front and rear wheels in under 20 milliseconds. The system seamlessly transitions torque between all four wheels and provides a more secure footing on the road especially in slippery conditions.

Ford’s all-new 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel engine is designed to deliver higher power for improved performance, alongside reduced CO₂ emissions. The refined four-cylinder engine features innovative technologies, including:

• Low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation combined with water-air charge cooling for more efficient combustion and reduced emissions
• An integrated intake manifold for optimised engine breathing
• Low-inertia turbocharging for faster, more controllable turbo response, featuring rocket engine materials designed for high temperature applications
• A high-pressure fuel injection system that is more responsive, quieter, and offers more precise fuel delivery

A 123 bhp 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel model with front-wheel drive and all-new, low-friction six-speed manual gearbox will offer even lower CO₂ and greater fuel efficiency from mid-2018. Ford’s 99 bhp 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine combined with front-wheel drive and all-new six-speed manual gearbox is available from launch, offering 107 g/km CO₂ emissions.

Two versions of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine continue to be available.

The 123 bhp 1.0-litre EcoBoost is also offered from launch with a six-speed automatic gearbox featuring steering-column mounted paddle-shifters for convenient gear-shifting, and delivering 134 g/km CO₂emissions.

The new EcoSport continues to deliver ride and handling tuned specifically for customers in Europe, with optimised springs, dampers, spring aids, steering gear, rear axle twist beam, Electronic Stability Programme settings and steering assistance profiles.

Customers can choose from 12 bold exterior colours, including Lightning Blue, Ruby Red and vibrant metallic orange shade, Tiger Eye; and can further personalise their SUV with the new contrasting extended painted roof colour option.

New 17- and 18-inch alloy wheel designs complement the rugged, sporty character, and are offered in a number of finishes, including Magnetic Low Gloss, Shadow Silver, Flash Grey and High Gloss Black. Customers continue to be able to choose a distinctive, boot-mounted spare wheel option.

The new EcoSport line-up will for the first time include the sporty new EcoSport ST-Line variant, joining the other Ford ST-Line models.

The EcoSport ST-Line delivers Ford Performance-inspired bumpers and side skirts, black-finish roof rails and headlight bezels, 17-inch Dark Tarnish alloy wheels, ST-Line badging and extended painted roof and door mirrors as standard. The interior offers an ST-Line leather-trimmed flat-bottomed steering wheel; unique partial leather seats featuring Miko-Dinamica inserts – an ecological suede made from recycled polyester – and red stitching; leather handbrake lever and gear knob; ST-Line branded scuff plates; and stainless steel sports pedals.

“We’ve enhanced the quality, technology and versatility of the new Ford EcoSport to deliver more of the confidence and control that compact SUV customers want,” said Gary Boes, global B-car vehicle line director, Ford Motor Company. “Drivers will feel more comfortable and self-assured than ever at the wheel.”