Currently reading: Ford launches limited edition EcoSport on Facebook
500 limited edition EcoSport crossovers available to order from Facebook, uses upgraded AppLink infotainment system

Ford has launched a limited edition of its Ford Fiesta-based EcoSport crossover on Facebook.

Just 500 units of the car - 120 destined for the UK market - have been made available to order through the social networking site, with reports suggesting stocks are selling out fast.

Priced from £16,995, the EcoSport limited edition is available with either a 123bhp 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine or a 90bhp 1.5-litre diesel engine.

The limited-edition models also include an expanded version of Ford's Sync AppLink infotainment system, which benefits from new apps and functionality.

Autoread is perhaps the biggest addition to the system. The programme, available on iOS and android devices, reads out emails and text messages and allows users to dictate replies via the car's voice-recognition service.

Elsewhere, TomTom has signed up to provide satellite-navigation coverage, while motorists can also use voice-activation to book hotel rooms via the new Hotels.com app. Nearby events are also displayed thanks to a Wcities Eventseeker app.

Over 5000 developers are already registered to help improve the open-source software, with other car manufacturers invited to use the service.

Director of Ford electronics and electrical systems Jim Buczkowski said: ""The opportunity is to embrace the creativity that exists out there with the app development community. 

"You can talk a lot about creating a closed standard but the truth is you spend a lot of time protecting what you've created. Platforms are a really great way to move quickly. You open it up and allow that creativity to let you move very quickly.

"Creating platforms like this allows us to create innovation and move faster - much faster than a traditional automotive company."

Read more about the upgraded AppLink software on Stuff.

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superstevie 24 September 2013

This looks a load better than

This looks a load better than a Mokka. I rather like it. But I get that it isn't to everyone's tastes

artill 24 September 2013

Not only is this awful to

Not only is this awful to look at, but its name must rank up with the Daihatsu Applause and Mitsubishi Carisma as one of the most misleading names of all time, being neither eco nor sporty. Perhaps they would have done better with the 'Ford Tall'n'ugly'

ordinary bloke 24 September 2013

Bit late ....

Have Ford UK even launched this car over here yet ? If not they certainly need to before they get left behind by Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008, Vauxhall Mokka and new cars from Honda and others coming soon.

I rather like the look of this. Does Autocar have any more news other than this bit about the car ? Seems a bit daft to even mention it if Ford has sold them all before Autocar managed to catch up with this rather limited news.