YOU can’t stop falling in love with the all-new Ford Ecosport. The reason is simple. The small Ford car, built on a raised platform, has a beautiful design and is sweet to drive too.

It is cute, pretty, refined with a presence you can’t ignore in the crowd. To crown it all, the all-new Ecosport is a complete departure from its predecessor, and competitively priced too, with its SUV built-quality, yet it manouvres like a small Sedan

Recently, I was privileged to join other Motoring journalists to test-drive the new Ford Ecosport at the Ikeja Gulf Club. The short test-drive was organised by Briscoe Ford to expose the qualities of the car to the journalists. And the Ecosports was impressive in every ramification. It has a  good turning radius, quiet cabin, good roadholding and smooth steering wheel.

The only minus in the Ecosport could be the dashboard and inside door panel, finished with plastic which the Briscoe Ford General Manager, Mr. Femi Eguikhide explained was part of the cost-cutting measures to bring down the price of the car which is currently selling like hot cake across the globe.According to the GM, the Ecosport sales world-wide is so high that Ford is struggling to eet the demand.

Six speed auto transmission
Powered by a 1.5 L.Ti – VCT 1-4 petrol engine that delivers 81kw of power at 6300 rpm, and 105 Lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm, the Ecosport is fast and handles like a car in the upper segment. It is equipped with a powerful six-speed automatic transmission with select shift capability, which guarantees smooth ride on road.

The Ecosport is available in Standard, Ambiente, Trend and Titanium versions, all well loaded with modern features that are hardly found in competing brands.

For instance, the Ecosport standard features include anti-lock brake system (ABS), and electronic stability control (ESC) with hill launch assist, battery saver, electronic power-assisted steering (EPAS), front stabiliser bar, power front disc/rear drum brakes, headlamp leveling control.

Its standard safety features include, two airbags, engine immobiliser, side intrusion door-beams, Isofix hard-point attachments, among others.

The Ambiente and Trend versions offers yet more features:  four way manually adjustable driver’s seat, radio,  player, MP3 capability and six loader CD player, Cruise control, Ford SYNC voice and entertainment system with USB port, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, 16 inch alloy wheels, black roof rack,  fog lamps, front and curtain airbags,  to mention but a few.

The Titanium is the top of the range model of the Ecosport. It comes loaded with everything you can think of in a typical luxury SUV including leather-trimmed seats with perforated inserts, Dark leather/Red interior trim, soft touch front-door armrest and vinyl rear door armrest.

Other features of Titanium version of Ecosport include rain sensing front windsheild  wipers, keyless entry, push-bottom start, fuel computer, electronic automatic temperature control, courtesy light with two map lights, bluetooth interface connection, auto-dimming rear view mirror, and auxiliary powerpoint in the luggage compartment.

The interior of the Ecosport is uniquely designed especially the dash board which looks quite trendy. The globe box around the dashboard chills few can drinks while the journey lasts.