Ford EcoSport to lose outside spare wheel
Crossover's boot-mounted spare wheel will become no-cost option in May, new cabin materials and chassis tweaks likely
The Ford EcoSport small SUV will ditch the rear-mounted spare wheel for May, reducing it to a no-cost option for buyers. The change is rumoured to be part of some minor upgrades that include enhanced cabin materials, tweaked engines and suspension modifications.
A Ford spokesperson confirmed to us today that the removal of the spare wheel is planned for Spring 2015, allowing buyers to spec it for free if they so wish. It is unlikely that the Fiesta-based crossover's often criticised side-hinged rear door will change, however.
There are also plans to give the Peugeot 2008 rival a few tweaks to bring the cabin further into line with rivals. When we reviewed the EcoSport we were unimpressed by the hard plastics and complex layout, so an updated interior will be a welcome addition to the updated model.
The firm will work on the suspension setup to improve the ride and handling too, and the car's diesel and EcoBoost petrol engines should get some tweaks to improve power and efficiency.
Would you choose to keep the spare wheel or remove it on a new EcoSport? Let us know below...
