Ford India had plans of launching a new Midsize SUV based on the new platform of Mahindra when the JV between both companies had been announced. However, now that both brands have parted their ways, Ford India officially doesn’t have an India focused product in the pipeline. The Ford CSUV project along with the others have been put on hold while the company is going through feasible options.

Ford Territory based SUV:
Ford is now officially considering resuming the development of the CX757 CSUV on the platform which underpins the Ford Territory SUV sold in markets including China and Brazil.

Dimensions:
While the CX757 was initially designed to be based on Mahindra’s new XUV700 platform with a similar length and wheelbase, the Ford Territory too has an identical wheelbase of 2,716mm. Also the Territory is likely to be similar in length to the new XUV700. This means Ford can easily integrate the design of the CX757 to the Ford Territory JMC platform without any significant changes to the Pininfarina design of this SUV.
 

Design:
The new CX757 is confirmed to have been designed by Pininfarina, the world famous studios that have designed numerous beautiful cars including some of the best Ferraris. Despite being based on the JMC platform, this new C-SUV is likely to be vastly different when compared to the Territory SUV.
 

Features and Tech:
Just like the exterior, the interior of the CX757 too will be significantly different compared to that of the Ford Territory’s. However most of the tech and features of the Territory are expected to be carried over to this SUV. Just like the Territory, it is expected to feature a dual tone colour theme with faux wood or metal finish along with plenty of soft touch surfaces for a premium feel.
The new C-SUV is likely to offer the latest tech and features in the Ford portfolio.

Expected features include:
10.1 inch touchscreen system
Sync 4 connectivity
Wireless Android auto/Apple carplay
Wireless charging
Dual zone Auto climate control
Panoramic sunroof
Powered driver seat
Digital instrument cluster
Ford Pass connected car tech
LED lighting
Auto headlamps & Wipers
Auto dimming IRVM
Keyless access and go
17 & 18 inch alloy wheels

Powertrain:
Ford currently manufactures the 2.0L EcoBlue Turbo Diesel engine in India for the Ford Endeavour. This engine is also being used in some FWD cars like the Mondeo and Edge abroad. So it will be easy for Ford India to fit this same engine under the bonnet of this new C-SUV as well. This engine is capable of producing 170PS Max Power and 420NM and is likely to be mated to a 6 speed manual and automatic transmissions.
Ford is also likely to introduce a new 1.5L turbo petrol Ecoboost engine producing around 150PS of power through similar transmission options. It is also likely that this engine will offer a 48V mild hybrid system as well.

Launch and Price:
The new Ford CX757 SUV is expected to be ready for launch by the second half of 2022. When launched, it will compete against the new Mahindra XUV700, Tata Harrier/Safari and the MG Hector siblings. Expect the pricing to be in a similar range as well.
Stay tuned for further updates.

Tata Motors has launched its flagship Safari 7-seat SUV on the 22nd February 2021. The new Safari ranges from Rs.14.69l to Rs.21.25l (ex showroom).

The new Safari will be available in 6 variants in total.

The Variants include:

XE, XM, XT, XT+, XZ, XZ+

The new gen Safari is essentially the 7 seat extended version of the Harrier 5 seat SUV based on the Land Rover derived OMEGA arc platform. Earlier this SUV was named the Buzzard at the Geneva auto expo, which was then changed to Gravitas for the Delhi auto expo last year. Now, Tata motors has finalized that it will be

Based on the Harrier, the Safari is around 60mm longer than the Harrier to accommodate the extra 2 seats while also being taller to provide better headroom for the 3rd row. Except for the larger dimensions and extra seats, the Safari is largely similar to the 5-seat Harrier. However, the front grille gets a slightly different treatment, featuring the signature Tri-arrow pattern finished in Chrome.

The tailgate is more upright, giving the Safari a more boxy appearance and the SUV also features long functional roof rails for lifestyle utility. The top spec variants receive 18” dual tone alloy wheels with the design similar to the Harrier's whereas the lower spec variants carry forward the exact same 16” Steel wheels seen on the Harrier’s lower variants. The higher variants are also offered with a Panoramic sunroof.

The new Safari is available  with 7 seats as standard while only the XZ and XZ+ will be optional with a 6 seat configuration.

Here’s a detailed walkthrough on the features available on the different Variants:

XE: Rs.14.69L

• Projector headlamps

• Functional roof rails (75kg load bearing)

• Halogen bi-functional DRLs

• Central locking

• All-black interior

• Telescopic steering wheel

• Front center armrest with cooled storage

• Power windows

• Manual Air-con

• Rear AC vents

• Digital MID

• 60:40 split 2nd row seats

• Boss mode 2nd row

• 50:50 split 3rd row

• 16” Steel rims

Standard safety features include:

• Dual airbags

• Pretensioner seatbelts

• All wheel disc brakes

• ABS with EBD

• Corner stability control

• ESP with traction control

• Hill hold control

• Roll over mitigation

• Hydraulic brake assist

• Electronic brake prefill

• Brake disc wiping

• Engine drag torque control

• ISOFIX child seat mounts

• Reverse sensors

• Engine immobilizer

• Perimetric alarm

XM: Rs.16L (XMA : Rs.17.25L)

• Front fog lamps

• Rear wiper/washer and defogger

• Electrically adjustable ORVMs

• Driver seat height adjust

• 7” touchscreen system

• Reverse assist display

• 6 speakers from Harman

• Steering mounted audio controls

• Rear armrest

• Remote central locking

• Multi drive modes : City, Eco and Sport

XT: Rs.17.45L

• 18” single tone alloys

• Soft touch dash top

• Dual tone interior

• Reverse camera

• Android Auto & Apple carplay

• IRA connect features

• What 3 words

• Smart key access

• Push button start

• Power folding ORVMs

• Cruise control

• Auto climate control

• Auto Headlamps & wipers

• Mood lighting

• Auto dimming IRVM

• Tyre pressure monitoring system

XT+: Rs.18.25L

• Panoramic sunroof

XZ: Rs.19.15L (XZA : Rs.20.40L)

• Dual tone machined 18” alloys

• Xenon projector headlamps

• Oyster white Leather upholstery

• Leather wrap steering and gear lever

• 7” semi digital instrument cluster

• 8.8” touchscreen system

• 9 speakers from JBL with subwoofer

• 6 way Powered driver seat

• Driver lumbar adjust

• Terrain response modes (Wet and rough modes)

Additional safety features include:

• 6 Airbags

• Hill descent control

XZ+: Rs.19.99L (XZA+ : Rs.21.25L)

• Panoramic sunroof

As a surprise, Tata motors has also launched the ADVENTURE PERSONA special edition of the Safari which sports a few significant cosmetic changes. This special edition features a new Tropical Mist body colour along with piano Black replacing the Chrome inside and out. The Grille, window line and door handles are finished in piano Black while the R18 alloy wheels are finished in charcoal grey. The interior too gets a different treatment, with an all black dashboard featuring a lot more piano Black and the oyster white upholstery replaced by Earthy brown(beige) on the seats and door pads.

This special Adventure Persona edition is priced at Rs.20.20L for the manual and Rs.21.45L for the Automatic.

Powertrain:

       The Safari, just like the Harrier is available with a diesel engine mated to a 6 speed manual transmission as standard. A 6 speed torque converter automatic transmission is available only on the XMA, XZA and XZA+ variants. The 2L Kryotec turbo diesel produces 170PS Power and 350NM torque. From the XM variant onwards, the Safari is available with three drive modes; Eco, City and Sport. The XZ and XZ+ variants also get Terrain response modes which includes a Wet mode and Rough road mode as well.

Rivals:

 Tata’s new flagship SUV will compete against the likes of the MG Hector plus and the next generation Mahindra XUV500.

Ford India is soon to launch a new updated top spec variant of its best selling Ecosport compact SUV. This new variant will be called the Signature Edition and will get some significant changes on the exterior and interior.

Exterior:

The new Ecosport SE will not be available with the tailgate mounted spare wheel as standard. Just like the globally sold Ecosport, the Indian SE Variant will also let go of the tailgate mounted spare wheel and instead, will have the number plate on the tail gate. The rear bumper also gets a larger skid plate design. The reverse camera will be

According to the Ministry of road transport and highways, it is not necessary for vehicles weighing under 3.5 tonnes and equipped with tubeless tyres with Tyre pressure monitoring system to have spare tyre. Hence, the tailgate mounted spare tire will be available as a paid option on this Signature Edition variant. As standard, this new variant is not likely to receive a spare wheel and instead it will get a puncture repair kit.

At the front though, the Ford Ecosport SE will remain exactly the same without any changes.

Interior:

On the inside, this new Ford Ecosport Signature Edition will get some new features and significant updates. This new Variant will get Tyre pressure monitoring system integrated into the brand new 12.3” touchscreen system expected to be launched exclusively on this variant. This new super-large touchscreen will also get Android auto and Apple carplay compatibility along with the existing Ford Pass connected car features. The centre console too will be significantly different on this updated top spec variant.

All the other features including Auto headlamps and wipers, Cruise control, Electric sunroof, Auto Climate control and keyless access will be carried forward from the existing variants.

Powertrain:

The Ford Ecosport will continue to retain the very same 1.5L Petrol and Diesel engine options with a 5 speed Manual transmission as standard. At present, only the Titanium plus petrol is available with a 6 speed torque converter automatic gearbox. This gearbox is also likely to be available on the new Signature Edition variant as well.

At present the Ford Ecosport ranges from Rs.7.99L to Rs.11.19L (ex showroom) for the petrol range and Rs.8.69L to Rs.11.49L (ex showroom) for the Diesel range.

Stay tuned for further updates on the new Ford Ecosport Signature Edition.