Ford India has officially unveiled its much awaited compact utility vehicle, the Freestyle. The all-new Ford Freestyle sits under the EcoSport compact SUV.

The Freestyle previews the updated styling of the Figo and Aspire facelift models. It likewise exhibits extra highlights that Ford is likely to introduce in the updated duo soon. The Ford Freestyle will be launched in the second quarter of 2018. The Freestyle features the latest iteration of Ford's grille design that we've already seen on the new European Fiesta. Incidentally, the European hatchback too has a cross-hatch version called the Fiesta Active. The Freestyle features the all vital body cladding and roof rails.

The all-black dashboard is carried forward from the Figo, but the top section now includes a light chocolate brown shade. The centre console of the Freestyle offers a free-standing touchscreen infotainment system like the one seen on the EcoSport facelift. The old school SYNC 1 infotainment system is gone and in comes Ford's latest SYNC 3 6.5-inch touchscreen unit that likewise supports Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto.

Mechanically, the new Ford Freestyle is powered by a new 1.2-litre TiVCT petrol engine which produces about 93bhp of power and 120Nm of torque. The diesel version on the other hand continues to be powered by the 1.5-litre TDCi engine which generates 97bhp of power and 215Nm of torque.

In terms of safety features, the Freestyle is outfitted with six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC and TCS. Ford has additionally included ARP, or active rollover prevention, that can automatically apply the brakes on individual wheels and decrease engine torque if the system detects a possible roll over. The Freestyle will have a value advantage over its rivals since most of its rivals - such as the Cross Polo, i20 Active and the Fiat Avventura - are based on hatchbacks that sit a segment above the Figo.