Ford India is prepping-up for their biggest launch of this year - Figo Aspire. The compact sedan was revealed publicly in March at the inauguration of Ford’s second manufacturing facility in Sanand Gujarat. And we brought you exclusive info on Aspire, that its launch is most likely around May, but remember last minute changes always happen in this industry! We brought you 5 things you must know about that differentiate Ford’s debutant venture in the sub-4m sedan arena.
It’s unquestionably the best looking compact sedan in the country
Among few of its odd-looking peers, Aspire gloats with its Aston-Martin-esque grille and flamboyant Ford Kinetic 2.0 design philosophy. It does not look as if the boot is obnoxiously added to a hatch, rather it appears larger than it actually is. The best looking vehicle in this segment currently - Tata Zest has now taken the second spot! Moreover, the rear profile of the Aspire is not as ‘aspiring’ and flashy as its front profile but its not boring either.
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Segment First 6-Airbags and Emergency Assistance
Ford India has taken a step ahead, they have equipped the Aspire with first-in-class side and curtain airbags along with dual front airbags, making a total of 6 airbags. Apart from it, Aspire will gets ABS (anti-lock braking system) along with EBD (Electronic brake force distribution). It is expected that the ABS will be standard in the Aspire, except for the base variant trim while airbags are likely to be offered from the mid trims. Speaking of the Emergency Assistance, in the unlikely event of a mishap on the road, SYNC Emergency Assist automatically calls for help (108) via your paired phone.
Ford SYNC voice guided audio system and Ford My Dock
Aspire gets SYNC audio system, which is also offered in Fiesta and EcoSport in the country. It features a 3.5-inch non-touch TFT display screen offering - voice commands, Bluetooth phone integration and lets you control your apps, music and calling, hands-free. It even reads out incoming text messages. SYNC in the Aspire will be equipped with - AppLink - smartphone integration that recently debuted in EcoSport while it was launched in India with the Fiesta facelift last year. With the help of SYNC, AppLink lets you use your selected smartphone apps through voice commands, eg. ESPNcricinfo app.
For lower trims, Figo Aspire will feature a unique My-Ford-Dock, it helps in docking your mobile onto the dashboard for charging, music streaming and navigation. And similar to that of EcoSport, Bluetooth connectivity is likely to be standard across the range along with an audio player.
Engines - 1.2L TiVCT petrol and 1.5L TDCI diesel
Petrol: Using the current Figo’s 1.2-liter block, Ford India has developed a new motor - messing with its head, incorporating variable valve time - in Ford words - TiVCT - Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing. Specifications of the engine are not disclosed yet but expect the motor to be juicy generating power in-between 80-85 bhp and 110-115 Nm of torque, will be mated to a five-speed manual.
Diesel: Figo Aspire diesel will get Fiesta/EcoSport’s 1.5-liter TDCI DV5 turbo diesel. Reportedly, the power figure of the engine can witness a slight bump compared to current 91 PS and 204 Nm in EcoSport. However, even if the specs remain same, this engine in Aspire will still be fairly competitive in the segment. Ford Fiesta with this motor delivers 25.01 kmpl, expect the Figo Aspire to deliver more!
Segment first 6-speed dual-clutch ‘PowerShift’ Automatic and 1.5-liter Ti-VCT Petrol
If reports and spy shots are to believed, Aspire is also getting a 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission with a 1.5-liter Ti-VCT motor. Dual Clutch transmission will be a segment first add-on and currently, it is only available in mid-size sedans - Vento and Rapid, which are in a segment above. However, it was not the Vento or Rapid which brought the dual-clutch auto box into mid-size sedan space, it was the versatile Ford Fiesta 1.5-liter Ti-VCT PowerShift. And indeed Aspire is getting the same Fiesta’s mechanicals!
Source : Ford Figo in India - Ford Figo Aspire - 5 Things You Must Know About!