2018 Ford EcoSport Storm Explained – Video

Though the regular Ford EcoSport is in showrooms now, there’s no indication this off-road-ready Storm variant is coming to the United States. But a car this cool deserves attention on a global scale, and we know you readers enjoy a tasty bit of Forbidden Fruit as much as we do.

The Ford EcoSport is getting a whole lot bolder thanks to the new Storm model, inspired by the F-150 Raptor. While it may not be quite as tough as that off-road truck, at least it offers all-wheel drive and a long list of unique equipment.

Compared to the EcoSport Titanium, the Storm features black-finish interior trim (a smart solution for an off-roader, instead of the Titanium’s cream seats), as well as brass appliqués on the dashboard, console, and doors – all of which look better in real life than in the photos, by the way. The leather seats also receive the Storm inscription.

 

 

The all-wheel-drive system is practically the same as the previous one, coming from the American-market Ford Escape, but is now fully automatic: it constantly adjusts how much torque is transferred between the front and rear wheels when necessary. Sensors detect which wheels need more power, and send torque to them in just 0.1 second.

The engine and gearbox are the same as the Ford EcoSport Titanium: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with direct injection, rated for 176 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque, connected to a 6-speed automatic. In the end, the Storm is 243 pounds heavier than the Titanium, reaching a none-too-slender 3,239 pounds.