With the launch of new Hyundai Venue yesterday, at an unbelievable starting price of just Rs 6.5 lakhs, rivals will surely need to rethink their strategy in order to keep their market share intact in the segment. One way to do that is to launch a feature packed edition, and this is what Ford is planning to do.
Ford EcoSport Thunder Edition has arrived at dealerships. It is based on the Titanium trim, and comes with new colour combinations on the exterior as well as on the interior. Launch will take place next month, in June 2019. Images of the same are now posted online by automotive enthusiasts Jacob Alexander, Prince Verma and MotorMenz YouTube channel.
On the outside, the 2019 Ford EcoSport Thunder Edition is seen in two colour options of white and blue. The white coloured Thunder EcoSport is seen with black sticker on the bonnet and on the side. At the rear it gets a large THUNDER sticker, notifying that this is the Thunder Edition. Roof is finished in black.
On the inside, there are atleast two dual tone colour combinations on offer. The spy images show one option has black and beige finished interiors while the other shows orange and black interiors. The regular Ford EcoSport Titanium variant comes with all black interiors. Other features remain same, including the new touchscreen infotainment system with SYNC 3, smart key, start / stop button, front arm rest with storage, etc.
Engine option on offer with the Ford EcoSport Thunder Edition is petrol 1.5 liter and diesel 1.5 liter. Both options are offered only with manual transmission option. The petrol motor delivers 121 hp and 150 Nm while diesel motor delivers 99 hp and 205 Nm. Mileage claimed is 14.8 kmpl and 23 kmpl.
EcoSport was the first SUV in the sub 4 meter segment which started a trend that is now picked up by many rivals. Post EcoSport launch, new rivals have arrived like Maruti Brezza, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300 and the latest being Hyundai Venue. EcoSport did enjoy the first mover’s advantage, but only till the time when there were no rivals. Since the launch of rivals, sales of EcoSport started to decline. Today, in comparison of all rivals, sales of EcoSport is the least.
Titanium is the highest selling variant of EcoSport, and thus makes sense for the Thunder Edition to be offered with the Titanium variant. Price is expected to be marginally higher than the regular Titanium trims, which are retailed at Rs 9.58 lakhs and Rs 10.05 lakhs respectively, ex-sh. Will it help boost sales of EcoSport, only time will tell.
