Review: Ford Figo Aspire

Introduction

Its been long since we got hands on interesting car launches in recent times. However one car which caught our attention in 2015 is the upcoming  Ford Figo Aspire. Ford has not done really well after Ford Eco sport and its older models like Ford Icon & Endeavor are mostly outdated. On the other hand car companies like Honda, Suzuki, Hyundai had been launching new products every 4-6 months clearly beating Ford out of the competition.

To please the new prospective buyers and to increase the market share, the American car maker is planning to launch some new models this year amongst which new Ford Figo and Figo Aspire sedan are going to be the prime ones.

Getting to know about Ford Figo Aspire

The new-generation Ford Figo is all set to be launched during first half of 2015, the sub-compact Ford Figo sedan is going to be launched potentially during later time of the year.With so many launches by other car makers, the hatchback segment is over saturated and the only scope to do well is the sub-compact sedan segment where there are only handful of models to compete with. Also if you look at the Figo sedan concept in 2014, the car looks impressive both in design and capabilities that is offers on the road.

If launched at same lines of the concept, this car could be a serious threat to Tata Zest, Honda Amaze and Hyundai Xcent and Suzuki Swift Dzire. Both the Figo hatchback and the Figo compact sedan will be manufactured at Ford’s facility in Sanand, Gujarat, and will be treated as a export base aswell.

Also read about: Next-Gen Ford Endeavour 2015 (Everest) - A Global SUV

Build & Quality

Both the models comes with fresh look and feel. Have a glance:

External: Figo has designed this car right from the scratch. This is definitely not an extended hatchback which has boot space to give it a sedan look. Hence the overall design of the car looks fresh and attractive.

Interiors: From cues from spy-shot, it is disclosed that the Figo compact sedan will sport a piano black finished center console, along with a mobile docking station. Top segment of both the vehicles will feature  alloy wheels, chrome grille, OVRMs with indicators, and roof-mounted antennae. Other features includes rain sensing wipers and auto dimming internal mirrors etc,

Dimensions:  The new sedan is going to be sub-4 metres in length, which shall help the car maker to avail the excise duty benefit given to the cars below 4000mm mark in India. This will directly impact the pricing of the car which is going to be competitive.

Engine: The Figo-based sedan will potentially come with 4-cylinder engine options - a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. While the petrol engine sports specs of existing Figo, the 1.5-litre diesel engine is borrowed from EcoSport and the Fiesta.

Mileage: The expectation from the new car from its diesel variant is to deliver mileage of around 25Km/l after detuning its current engine which gives 22.5Km/l.

Comfortability:  Ford cars known for their comfortable rides & handling attributes, and hence the Figo based sub-compact sedan will live up to the expectations. We hope the ground clearance should be made better for all Ford cars especially in India due to road conditions and their Eco Sport model has done really well in this department.

General Observation & Verdict

Since this is a pre-launch review, we would wait to see the final product launch and have first hand test-drive to give holistic review. On papers the new compact sedan looks decent and is going to be serious contender to other car makers in this sub-segment. If launched at decent price range along with some freebies mostly non-monetary, it will be a differentiating factor.

Watch this space for exclusive launch. Stay Tuned to ReviewsToday for more updated.