The wait is over, folks! Welcome the newest member of the global Ford family—the all-new Ford EcoSport. Pictures here: Set 1, 2, 3.

The all-new Ford EcoSport was unveiled a short while ago in New Delhi at a preview event to the Auto Expo 2012 in the capital. Present at the unveil were Alan Mulally, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company, Joe Hinrichs, president, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa, J Mays, group vice president, Design and chief creative officer and Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India.

Check out the unveil event here:

The all-new EcoSport is a modern and innovative compact SUV that will be seen on roads in India and several countries across the world, including, Brazil, and the ASEAN nations. Developed under the One Ford philosophy in South America, the new vehicle is the result of a cross-country collaboration with teams from Asia, Europe and North America.

“The all-new Ford EcoSport reflects our commitment to serve our customers with the cars and trucks they truly want and value,” said Alan Mulally, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company. “Our engineering team used their years of EcoSport experience to make every aspect of the next-generation EcoSport even stronger.”

“EcoSport has a tough, robust attitude that says ‘I can play with the big boys’,” said J Mays, group vice president, Design, and chief creative officer, Ford Motor Company. “But it also makes you want to play. It’s friendly and sociable, and this unique mix is its secret formula. That’s why it is so appealing. EcoSport is perfect for crowded urban streets and it inspires you to seek adventure away from the city too.”

The all-new Ford EcoSport exemplifies the DNA of Ford global vehicles and its versatility broadens the horizons of mobility and use. Its genuine SUV confidence starts in the stability of the chassis, reinforced by the body’s robust build, high torsional stiffness and high levels of protection for its occupants. At the same time, its innovative design reduces the weight and ensures good fuel efficiency.

What’s special about the all-new EcoSport

Shape: The contemporary shape (as you can see in the picture) conveys confidence with refinement and an adventurous spirit in an intelligent and modern package. It sports key SUV cues such as the stance, command driving position and signature spare wheel mounted on a swing-gate at the rear of the vehicle.

The EcoSport’s hardy character and strong stance give it the appearance of a larger vehicle, while retaining the agility and practicality of a compact car. It also features high ground clearance  and integrated lower body cladding for robustness.

Striking Personality: With the large rear window wrapping around the sides and oblique-shaped taillights, the EcoSport is a sporty and casual car for those who want to stand out and want more from life, but in an intelligent and sustainable way.

Ford EcoBoost:

The all-new EcoSport will feature Ford’s EcoBoost 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine, offering the performance of a conventional 1.6-litre engine, but with higher fuel efficiency and lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Despite its small capacity and proportions, the engine delivers power and performance that will rival a traditional 1.6-litre petrol engine while emitting less than 140g/km CO2. It will have 120 PS of power and be mated to a five-speed manual transmission, giving the Ford EcoSport a footprint that is small enough for urban driving yet robust enough for a trip out of the city.

It’s got what you want: The all-new EcoSport delivers on the key traits that customers seek across the world.

• It’s smart, with new technology, features and innovative equipment.
• It’s green—with fuel efficiency aimed to be best in the segment.
• It’s safe, thanks to the weight-optimized, highly resistant body and combines zones aimed to absorb the forces of impact with an extremely rigid cell to protect its occupants.
• It’s high on quality and craftsmanship, reflecting its new world-class design and engineering story, and has endured rigorous developmental testing around the globe.

EcoSport and India

The EcoSport is the second of eight products slated to be launched by Ford India by mid-decade and will bring about further momentum in a business transformation that was kick started by the Ford Figo and strengthened by the new Global Ford Fiesta sedan. Ford India’s shift from niche automaker to volume player is supported by several new investments in the country.

“Following the success of the game-changing Ford Figo and ‘tech-tastic’ Fiesta sedan, the all-new Ford EcoSport will certainly broaden our showroom offering in India, keeping in step with the aspirations of our customers,” said Michael Boneham, president and managing director,  Ford India. “With its tremendous value story, we’re confident this compact SUV will greatly bolster our presence in the competitive Indian market.”

The new EcoSport will be produced in the integrated Chennai manufacturing facility which has been transformed with an annual production capacity of 200,000 units and is now positioned as a Ford regional centre of excellence for compact-car engineering and production. Ford EcoSport models will also be produced at the plant for export to international markets.

So who’s excited about the all-new EcoSport?