Ford EcoSport Compact SUV Revealed At New Delhi Auto Expo

Take a dash of the Territory medium SUV and stir it in with the one-size-down Escape. It's the new Ford EcoSport compact SUV, engineered in South America - and with a little input from Ford Australia's design team.

The EcoSport has been developed with a focus on emerging markets, but an Australian debut has been confirmed and we can expect to see the little Fiesta-based SUV here in 2013.

What we see here is officially a concept, but apart from the full-LED headlights, most of the EcoSport's design will carry over into production when it makes its international market debut.

Power for the EcoSport will be provided by Ford's new turbocharged 1.0 litre three-cylinder EcoBoost, producing 89kW and 170Nm of torque (the latter available from 1300 to 4500rpm).

That's good power for a 1.0 litre mill, on par with most 1.6 litre naturally-aspirated engines. Expect it to appear in more Ford models over the coming year, including the Fiesta hatch.

Don't expect the EcoSport to scale any mountaintops, of course, but as a light-sized and high-riding urban commuter - Ford's first entry in that segment - the small petrol engine should provide enough poke for the car's target market.

Ford will also offer the EcoSport with a 1.5 litre petrol four-cylinder engine in some markets, producing 80kW and 140Nm of torque and using 5.9 l/100km of fuel, along with a 1.5 litre diesel that delivers 66kW and 204Nm, using 4.3 l/100km of fuel.

Watch for more details on the Australian-delivered EcoSport as it nears its local launch in the next year.