Ford Ecosport Revealed for New Delhi

Looks like this is one for India only. Not sure what to think about this one....

Ford has released the new EcoSport prior to its public unveiling at the New Delhi Auto Expo tomorrow. Initially targeted to emerging markets, the EcoSport will eventually launch globally.

The Ford EcoSport looks substantial despite its compact dimensions. It features high ground clearance and integrated lower body cladding for that rugged look. The EcoSport is defined as being targeted to consumers who want a sporty and casual car that stands out, but in an intelligent and sustainable way.

The compact SUV features a turbocharged 1.0-liter Ecoboost engine with 120 PS (118 hp / 88 kW) and 170 Nm (125 lb-ft) available from 1,300-4,500 rpm. The direct injection engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Ultimately, 1.0-liter Ecoboost engine will be made available in Ford models in China, Europe, North America and other regions.

The new EcoSport was developed in Ford's Development Center in Camaçari, Brazil. Previously, the EcoSport name was used on a crossover SUV version of the European derived Ford Fusion MPV in Latin America since 2003 and served as the first affordable SUV in the region. It went on to sell 700,000 vehicles in nine years.

This new Fiesta based B-platform SUV, which is the second of ten new models to be spawned from this platform by mid-decade, will eventually be sold in 100 markets worldwide. Ford projects the new B-platform family of vehicles will represent more than 2 million units of annual production as compact cars continue to drive global growth.

The EcoSport will be produced at plants in Brazil, India, and other markets to be announced at a later time.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/112010439431/ford-ecosport-compact-suv-revealed---debut-in-new-delhi

Consumer Reports Gives the Honda Civic Si a “Recommended” Rating

Just when Honda announced it is developing a revised Civic for the 2013MY that will be launched in the U.S. in late 2012, Consumer Reports, the publication that started the storm of negative publicity on Honda’s compact model, has awarded the Si version with a “Recommended” on its latest report.

CR still stands by its original verdict on the base 2012 Civic when it stated, “while other models like the Hyundai Elantra have gotten better after being redesigned, the Honda Civic has dropped so much that now it ranks near the bottom of its category.”

The difference is that the model tested this time is the sportier Si version fitted with the more powerful 2.4-liter engine. According to the test results, it earned a notably better score than the basic model and as a result, CR says it now recommends the Si.

Most of the improvements are due to the 201HP engine, which CR says offers “terrific acceleration” at high rpm and at the same time, more low-end torque, as well as the "slick shifting" six-speed manual gearbox. The publication also notes that the Si returned "a very good" combined fuel economy of 29 mpg.

On the other hand, CR repeats that the Si suffers from the same cheap plastics, harsh ride, noisy cabin and vague steering as the basic versions, which placed the base Civic at second-to-last place. The Civic Si ranked 9th out of 11 tested models in Consumer Reports' sporty car category.

"The Civic Si has a great powertrain, but it needs a better car wrapped around it," said David Champion, sr. director of Consumer Reports Automotive Test Center.

Source;
http://www.carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/12/consumer-reports-gives-honda-civic-si.html