As the mini sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment continues to grow in South Africa, Ford has started the year off with a new addition to its highly successful EcoSport range. The new special edition model EcoSport Active adds a dose of distinctive style and a more rugged appearance to the popular EcoSport line-up in South Africa.
Appealing to adventurous types, the EcoSport Active is based on the popular mid-range EcoSport Trend 1.0 EcoBoost Automatic and boasts a range of unique styling and feature enhancements.
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Bold is the new black
Building on the aptly named Trend model in the EcoSport range, the trendy special edition EcoSport Active gains a more rugged and dynamic appearance that hints at its adventurous character. This is thanks to the bold black treatment for the front grille, headlamp surround and foglamp bezels, as well as sporty black front and rear skirts. The athletic demeanour is further emphasised with black wheel arch mouldings and the adoption of stunning 17-inch Active design black alloy wheels for a more muscular stance.
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, which is carried through to the cabin and features prominently on the leather seats, which replace the cloth seats used in the standard Trend models.
As with the EcoSport Trend, the spacious and versatile interior is adorned with a high level of specification, including a leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel with cruise control, electric windows all-round, air-conditioning and an eight-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system with built-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
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Tech features to boot
The EcoSport Active, similar to the Trend and Titanium derivatives, is equipped with the 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.
While 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.
Performance & safety features
The EcoSport Active is powered by Ford’s multiple award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, producing 92kW of power and 170Nm of torque. The three-cylinder engine is paired with a smooth-shifting and responsive six-speed automatic gearbox.
A top-notch 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 vehicle alarm with immobiliser.
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Price and availability
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.
Customers have the option of purchasing service or maintenance plans for up to eight years or 135,000km. The warranty can be extended up to seven years or 200,000km, while the Roadside Assistance can be extended for an additional one or two years.
