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| Re: Ford Figo-based compact sedan - The Aspire The good folks from IAB have extensively reviewed the Figo Aspire in it's diesel avatar.
Excerpts: Quote:
Overall the design of the Ford Figo Aspire isn’t going to win any awards, but it sure does look better than any of its rivals in the segment. Particularly in the Titanium variant that we tested, it exudes a sense of elegance that would garner people’s attention. However, we do get a feeling that Ford skimped on newer exterior features such as projector headlamps, LED DRLs, bigger alloy rims, and a shark-fin antenna to better equip the interior. That being said, the company has done a good job of dressing up their first sub-4m sedan with a sporty yet elegant exterior.
Getting in and out of the Ford Figo Aspire is fairly easy, despite the author being above 6 feet tall. Once inside, the doors close with a cheap click that otherwise hampers the build quality of the interior we are about to explore. Comfort wise, the seats were fairly decent during long highway drives, with adequate support for the back and thighs. The rear cabin was comfortable and well spaced for shoulders and legs, thanks to the sculpted front seats. Tall people sitting at the back wouldn’t have to worry about headroom, as it is quite generous for a sub-4m sedan. Any more headroom, and the roofline of the Figo Aspire would’ve ended up looking deformed.
While the Titanium Plus variant features Ford’s SYNC infotainment system, the lower variant gets a “MyFord Dock”, which is essentially a dock for a smartphone. Along with battery charging, the smartphone can also double up as a make-shift infotainment system, complete with onboard navigation. Straightaway, we found out that this feature cannot accommodate large devices (say phablets) comfortably. Later when we managed to obtain a smaller device, the MyFord Dock proved to be very useful. So, goodbye to those crummy phone stands for good.
Another aspect to note is that unlike other Fords, the Figo Aspire has the indicator stalk on the right side and the wiper functions on the left. This could be perplexing to customers who are well familiar with Fords, but a welcome change for people upgrading to the Figo Aspire from a Maruti.
Initial impressions? Excellent, to say the least. With 100 horses to tap and a relatively light curb weight, the 1.5 diesel leaps towards triple digit speeds without breaking a sweat. From a slow pace at 2nd gear, the low range performance of the Figo Aspire isn’t anywhere near bad, as evidenced by brisk take-offs after going trotting over speed bumps or overtaking the many tractors on the road to Mount Abu. Once you cross 1,500 rpm, the turbo begins to spool, followed by the addictive feeling of the car lunging forwards. The mid-range performance is definitely a forte of the 1.5 diesel, where it effortlessly surges ahead. Even at speeds of above 120 km/h with four occupants inside and HVAC system at full blast, the engine didn’t feel strained.
Although the gear shifts aren’t as super smooth as other cars, it did not have us complaining all the way. Power delivery of the engine towards the front wheels was refined, save for the engine noise insulation into the cabin, which has some room for improvement. Still, it isn’t as bad as the 1.5-liter i-DTEC diesel in the Amaze. Realistically, we managed to achieve an average fuel mileage of 13.5 km/L as recorded by the car, which is not bad considering that we were at triple digits on highways for a good duration, followed by crawling around the traffic-congested city of Udaipur.
The ride quality of the Ford Figo Aspire is, surprisingly, very good for a suspension that is tuned to a slightly softer setting. For the enthusiast, the Aspire doesn’t heave and roll around the place, thus instilling confidence for spirited driving. Thanks to the smooth exterior design and firm suspension, it doesn’t feel unstable or noisy at high speeds. The relaxed driver will appreciate the fact that it manages to soak most bumps with relative ease, although jerks from deep potholes do penetrate in the cabin. That being said, the Ford Figo Aspire is a comfortable car to drive around, and is one of the well-composed models in its segment.
The electric power assisted steering (EPAS) in the Ford Figo Aspire gets fairly light and easy-to-turn in cities for quick maneuvers, while it weights up just about right at high speeds. Although it doesn’t generate as much road feedback as a hydraulic steering system would, the EPAS in the Figo Aspire does a good job of turning into corners with the right amount of weight and little feedback. Complementing the steering feel is the chunky 3-spoke steering wheel that is a delight to hold onto.
There is nothing to complain about the braking performance as well as the brake pedal feel. It feels linear and smooth, and the brakes do not bite unnecessarily hard at the slightest effort. Ford is further sweetening the deal by offering ABS with EBD as standard in Titanium and Titanium Plus trims.
Ford claims that 45% of the body structure is made from high strength steel, which further increases the rigidity and strength of the car. However we’d have to wait for an NCAP test result before making conclusions.
So does the 2015 Ford Figo Aspire stand a chance against its well established rivals, despite being the late entrant into the segment? Without a doubt, a resounding YES!
It is clearly the best looking car in the segment with an elegant design mixed with a hint of sportiness, and the one with most attention towards passenger safety. The interior is generously spaced and comfortable for a sub-4m sedan, as well as feature packed with equipment like a dedicated SYNC infotainment system and Ford MyKey. The revised 1.5-liter diesel engine is certainly one of the most powerful and fuel efficient units in the segment, which has the figures to ensure spirited driving performance supplemented by good vehicle dynamics.
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