G E A R E D - I N

Motorshows are commonly used by car manufacturers as a foyer to introduce daring and innovative car design concepts to gauge a feel of the market’s opinion about them.  Although we’ve had our share of shows bordering from the bad to the simply awful, at last, here’s one that makes a difference.

The Ford Centennial Motorshow, though small compared to those held at the SM Megatrade Hall, is home to four amazing and exciting new products probably destined for the ASEAN market.  Though the Ford Lynx Centennial Edition with its 140-bhp, 2.0-liter inline-4 is the main attraction of the show, one can’t help but steal glances at three other products that may have the chance to make it to our roads: the Ford EcoSport, Ford Everest and the Ford Fiesta.

Ford EcoSport

Built primarily for where small cars rule, the Ford EcoSport has been on the drawing board as early as 1998.  However, after years of research and development, it was only launched in its primary market, Brazil, in March of this year.  Though its exterior shape and dimensions would make one think that it’s a modified Fusion, Ford personnel were quick to point out that they are only distantly related.

Looking like an 80^th percentile scale model of the Escape, the EcoSport features good interior space in amazingly compact exterior dimensions.  Powered by a choice of three powerplants in Brazil, it seems that the one displayed at the show, the 1.6-liter Zetec, would make the most sense.  There are two drivetrains available, a 4x2 and a full-fledged 4x4.

Like the Fiesta, the EcoSport feature European Ford detailing elements such as the anodized headlamps, the highly geometric Edge Concept and even to the design of the alloys.  Inside, the EcoSport benefits from numerous cubby holes that’s topped off with a front seat that flips up and turns itself into an underseat tray.

The EcoSport would probably be perceived primarily as a woman’s car as men would go for a bigger SUV—say the Escape.  However, there’s nothing entirely wrong with the design of the EcoSport to make it a wonderful alternative to the boring 1.6-liter sedans out there.  Although hatchbacks are considered as niche products and don’t sell volumes, if packaged same way as the EcoSport with its tall ride height and available all-wheel drive system it should work…if the price is right.

Displayed as a left-hand drive model at the show, it shows that the EcoSport can actually make it to Philippine roads (and we hope).  It would be interesting to see if Ford can finally capitalize on their SUV-image by coming up with a small SUV that should correct all the mistakes of the Honda HR-V while beating the Japanese in their own game.

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