Ford EcoSport Black Edition
The Black Edition of EcoSport features many external parts draped in black colour. Pictured: Ford EcoSport Black EditionPR handout

As the electric and hybrid cars gain traction in the market, American auto-major Ford is reportedly mulling over a hybrid engine for its much-acclaimed compact SUV, EcoSport. The emerging reports suggest that the next-generation EcoSport could come equipped with hybrid powertrains.

Ford may be looking at the possibility of bringing hybrid engines to EcoSport by 2021, report ET Auto. India is one of the biggest markets for Ford's EcoSport and the company's Chennai plant exports EcoSport to several countries. If the hybrid version of EcoSport becomes a reality, Ford would be looking at benefiting from the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of hybrid and Electric vehicles) scheme launched by the government of India. It offers incentives on electric and hybrid vehicles up to Rs. 29,000.

Currently, Ford is working on the facelifted avatar of EcoSport. The SUV, launched in 2013, continues to drive the sales for the company in the Indian market. Although, EcoSport felt threatened with the arrival of Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford has managed to improve the sales of the model by slashing the prices by up to Rs. 1.15 lakh.

The facelifted avatar of EcoSport is expected to make its India entry next year. The new EcoSport is expected to accommodate changes both inside and outside. Currently, Ford EcoSport gets 1.5-liter TDCi diesel engine, which is re-tuned to dish out 99bhp of power, 1.5-liter Ti-VCT petrol and the 1.0-liter EcoBoost petrol engines. It has now been priced in the range of Rs. 6,92,900 to Rs. 9,82,100 (ex-showroom Delhi).