Ford India limited, a 100% subsidiary of Ford Motors, USA have launched their much awaited small car, the Ford Figo in India. Actually speaking, the Ford Figo is a built for India car. It is Ford’s foray into the bread and butter hatch back segment. The last launch we saw from Ford was the Ford Fiesta. Now, we all know that Ford India have been testing mules in India but they were all sedans and probably a Fiesta replacement or higher up. Ford India have promised good space as well as a decent set of engines and a killer price point for the Ford Figo. Now, it is a known fact that Ford India does get their pricing right in the middle of the groove. We give you a complete review of the new Ford Figo. Check on Road Price
Looks
The New Ford Figo is built on an all-new platform for the Indian markets. However it looks much like the Ford Fusion with a nose job. The Ford Figo carries forward the Ford’s Kinetic design theory to the next level with its small grille. Atop this small grille is nestled the Blue Oval Ford logo. The head lamps wrap around the grille and are pentagonal. The air dams are big as compared to the Ford Fusion’s and impart a sporty look. Unfortunately in the air dams, there are only fog lamp inserts but no fog lamps. These are only an option in the top end version. The front bumpers are body colored even for the lower spec versions. The windscreen isn’t highly raked and features rain sensing wipers.
Moving to the side profile, there is nothing much to be described. Ford India have done well to give the Ford Figo tubeless tyres with tyre size as 175/65 R14. There are no alloys, even as options though and all you get is a not so good looking wheel cover. The outside rear mirrors are also in body color and are wide enough to let you know of the happenings behind.
The rear is also featureless and the array of tail lamps is arranged in a vertical manner, muck like that of its Escape SUV in the US. The rear bumper, is though, not body colored and is covered with a black plastic cladding. This also house the reflectors. A rear windscreen washer and wiper is present, considering the huge glass area.
Interiors
We got both the high specced Titanium versions of the Ford Figo. Open the low slung doors and you would be greeted with one of the most distinguishable dashboard. It seems too American however Ford India leads us to believe that the Coral hued dashboard color works for the close knit Indian families. It doesn’t get stained easily and even if it does, can be cleaned easily. The doors close with a soft thud. The dials seem to be inspired from the bigger brother, the Ford Fiesta. This makes the car look sporty from within. The 2 spoked steering wheel feels chunky to hold and is rake and reach adjustable. It however doesn’t offer steering wheel mounted audio controls as well as for the Bluetooth pairing system.
Plenty of brushed aluminium is used for good effect and special mention must be made of the cubby holes which abound in plenty all around the cabin. The materials used are of the soft types which should weather the Indian conditions well.
The seats are low slung however they perfectly suit the contours of the human body. The seating position for the driver is spot on. The rear seats are more like benches but have good space for 3. The only thing lacking was the lack of rear power windows even in the top spec version. The rear seat passengers also have to make do without head rests. The boost space is flat with no suspension strut intrusions and makes do with a 283 liters space. The rear seats do full topple over and give you a huge 897 liters of space.
Handling and ride quality
Ford India have been known to get the ride and handling confusion sorted out for their every car. The New Ford Figo rides well. The suspension is made up of an Independent McPherson Strut with Dual Path Mounts type at the front and the rear one makes do with Semi Independent Twist Beam, Coil Springs. Taking cues from the Fiesta, the Ford Figo handles quite well, with the engine and thin tyres been the only sore point in this package.
It is only the biggest of the bumps, that show that the Ford Figo is a small car after all. The steering is a hydraulic unit and is quite light at city speeds and weighs up nicely once the speeds rise.
Engine,Performance and fuel efficiency
The Ford Figo is been offered with 2 engine options, a diesel and petrol. The petrol motor is an all new unit and is an 1.2 litre engine offering 71 PS of peak power at 6,350 rpm and also 102 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. The diesel is borrowed from the Ford Fiesta and is in the same state of tune. It is the 1.4 liter common rail diesel throwing out 69 PS at 4,100 rpm and a peak torque of 160 Nm at 2,100 rpm.
The diesel as in the Ford Fiesta seems a bit underpowered however also feels a bit more sprightly because of the less weight it has to lug around. The petrol motor is short geared and is upto the task in the city however you do feel it lacking as you venture into the highway.
Ford India had promised us that the Ford Figo will have a good fuel economy compared to others in its class. The petrol Ford Figo delivers 13.8 kmpl in the city and 18.1 kmpl in the highway whereas the diesel gives 15.7 kmpl in the city and 20.4 kmpl on the highway.
Braking is handled by disc brakes on the front and drums at the rear assisted by ABS as well as EBD. Safety is taken care by 2 airbags, 3 point ELR seat belts for all the 5 occupants and front, side impact absorbing beams.
Verdict
Ford India are keen to make the Ford Figo one of their best sellers in India. It is a very realistic dream considering that the Ford Figo ticks all the right choices for the Indian market. It has a fantastic ride quality, good quality interiors, mature looks and fuel efficiency as an added bonus. Not only that, it is priced at Rs.3,49,900 for the base petrol engine and going upto Rs 5,29,900 for the top end all frills diesel model.
Ford Figo Technical Specifications
- 1.2 Liter DuraTec MPFI Petrol Engine/ 1.4 Liter DuraTorq CRDI Diesel Engine
- Max Power 70 BHP @6250 RPM/ Max Power 68 BHP @4000 RPM
- Max Torque 104 Nm @ 4000 RPM/ Max Torque 160 Nm @ 2000 RPM
- 5 Speed Manual Transmission
- 283 liters of boot space
- Length : 3796mm, Width 1682mm and Height 1426mm
- Long Wheelbase of 2489mm
- 14 inch steel wheels of the tubeless type
- Front Disc brakes
- Rear drum Brakes
- Front Suspension – Independent McPherson Strut with Dual Path Mounts type
- Rear Suspension – Semi Independent Twist Beam, Coil Springs
- 44 Liter Fuel Tank
