By Otsile Kadiege

Ford South Africa is bolstering the popular EcoSport range with the addition of a new special edition model – the EcoSport Active. The newcomer is based on the mid-range EcoSport Trend 1.0 EcoBoost Automatic and adds unique exterior and interior styling, new technology and Ford’s multi-award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost powerplant.

EcoSport Active exterior styling

Accentuating the trendy special edition EcoSport Active is bold black treatment on the front grille, headlamp surround and foglamp bezels, as well as sporty black front and rear skirts. It’s fitted with black wheel arch mouldings and adopts stunning 17-inch Active design black alloy wheels.

The dark finishes extend to black mirror caps and roof rails, along with dark-tinted privacy glass for the rear windows. The roof is painted black, providing a bold contrast to the four available paint colours: Frozen White and three distinctive metallic options comprising eye-catching Luxe Yellow, Solar Silver and Magnetic dark grey. An ‘Active’ badge on the front fenders asserts this model’s special edition status.

EcoSport Active interior styling and technology

As with the EcoSport Trend, the interior is adorned with a high level of specification like a leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel with cruise control, leather seats which replace the cloth seats used in the standard Trend models, electric windows all-round, air-conditioning and an eight-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system with built-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Similar to the Trend and Titanium derivatives, the EcoSport Active is equipped with Ford’s innovative FordPass Connect system, which includes an embedded modem that allows you to connect with the car and control a number of vehicle functions from your smartphone via the FordPass app providing useful information such as fuel level and vehicle health alerts, the owner can also remotely lock, unlock and even remotely start the car (automatic models only) to cool or heat the cabin. Through FordPass, owners can effortlessly call up the vehicle’s service and warranty information, find the nearest Ford dealer, and even make service bookings. In the event of an emergency, owners can contact Ford Roadside Assistance directly from the app.

Safety

The safety specification on the EcoSport Active mirrors that of the Trend derivative, and includes seven airbags (dual front, side, curtain and a driver’s knee airbag), along with ABS brakes with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Hill Launch Assist (HLA). Rear parking sensors are fitted, and the vehicle is equipped with a high-grade Thatcham alarm with immobiliser.

Engine

The EcoSport Active is powered by Ford’s multiple award-winning three-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine which delivers 92kW of power and 170Nm of torque. It’s only available with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Pricing and warranty

The EcoSport Active 1.0 EcoBoost Automatic is priced at R393,700. Included as standard is Ford Protect comprising a four-year/120 000km warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty. The recommended service interval is 15 000km or annually, whichever occurs first.