Time and time again, Ford said it couldn’t and wouldn’t be done: putting the award-winning 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine into the EcoSport SUV. Well, lo and behold, SUV fans, you just have to wait just one more year to get that drivetrain. There’s a small caveat though: you have to live in the US.

In the lead up to the Los Angeles Auto Show, Ford has finally confirmed that their smallest SUV is indeed coming to the US. Based off the global EcoSport (which is, in turn, based off the Fiesta), the US market EcoSport receives a revised front fascia with new headlights, bumper, grille, and fog lights. At the back, the side-swinging tailgate remains minus the rear-mounted spare tire. It closely mimics the refreshed global model already seen testing in different countries, so expect the Philippine market model to get the same look very soon.



Inside, it keeps its cleverly packaged cabin with 30 stowage pockets built-in. However, everything else looks new, further distinguishing it from the Fiesta. The gauge cluster, infotainment display (with SYNC 3), center console, and even steering wheel, and door panels all look new. Even the seats look different too. Audiophiles will likely go for the 675-watt, 10-speaker system with B&O PLAY branded tweeters and subwoofer. The 2018 EcoSport also gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also comes with the Ford Pass system which allows the driver to link the car to a smartphone enabling him or her to check vehicle information such as fuel level.

Now on to the best part: the drivetrain. Everyone knows the EcoSport could use additional motivation and thankfully, Ford has heeded that call by plopping in the 1.0-liter EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine in there. If you want even more power, they were also able to shoehorn a normally-aspirated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder too. No power outputs were mentioned, but expect the 1.0-liter to get around 125 horsepower, while the 2.0-liter to get about 150-170 horsepower. The 2.0-liter also sends the power to all four wheels courtesy of an Intelligent AWD system, while the EcoBoost remains a 2WD as standard. Power Shift has also bitten the dust in the EcoSport, replaced by a conventional 6-speed automatic. Hurray.



And while the US is celebrating at yet another SUV addition, what does this all mean for the Philippine-market EcoSport? Well, as mentioned, we’ll definitely get the new look, since it’s already seen in various mules running around Asia; perhaps minus the rear spare tire delete, because man can’t live on a tire inflation kit alone. As for the drivetrain, we’ll definitely NOT get the 2.0-liter engine. Likely, the 1.5-liter will putter on. Fingers crossed though, we’ll hopefully and finally receive the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine along with a proper 6-speed automatic.

Perhaps it’s something to look forward to at the 2017 Bangkok International Motor Show?