[RSR]

Originally Posted by aravind.anand

I am sure that the test mule is not sub-4m ! This is more like the Ka sedan unveiled for the Brazil market ! Maybe Ford will launch both the sedans? But that doesn't make much sense. So i would guess that the longer sedan would be exported and the sub-4m would be reserved for us.

Clue - the rear overhang is just too much for the spy car, which is not in line with the Figo sedan concept that was shown to us all.

I think you've got it right! The rear does indeed look a bit too long to be a sub-4m car. I was comparing the white mule to the black one in the earlier picture and the two looked similar. Maybe the black one is also a 4m+ version?

[prashanthyr]

Just took a good look at the Figo (Brazilian Ka) on the Ford Brazil site and I think Ford might be onto a winner here especially if they equip and price it correctly.

I actually think pricing it between the I10 and the I20 will likely help it take market share from both, not to mention the Bolt / Zest twins and make a dent in the Swift/Dzire twins.

[volkman10]

Ford Figo Aspire is the name for the Figo sedan.

The Figo Aspire will be the sedan and the hatchback will be called as Figo.

https://twitter.com/MotorOctane/stat...22501351092225

[romeomidhun]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Ford Figo Aspire is the name for the Figo sedan.

The Figo Aspire will be the sedan and the hatchback will be called as Figo.

Hm... DZire and Aspire... what a way of Ford to copy the successful name of Maruti!

[arunphilip]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Ford Figo Aspire is the name for the Figo sedan.

Originally Posted by romeomidhun

Hm... DZire and Aspire... what a way of Ford to copy the successful name of Maruti!

As long as Ford don't price it obscenely and cause it to 'expire'!

[romeomidhun]

Even a well-priced "Aspire" may dent the sales of Amaze and Xcent, but not DZire, IMO. It is another car for all "no-Maruti" thinkers.

[RSR]

Aspire is the name of a small car Ford sold in North America in the nineties:



One very good thing about the '90s North American Ford Aspire:

The Ford Aspire was sold in North America from 1994 to 1997. It was the replacement for the Ford Festiva. It was the first car in its class to have dual airbags standard and antilock brakes optional.

Now, if Ford can emulate this commendable feat of the North American Aspire of the mid-1990s on the Indian Figo Aspire (and its hatchback sibling) of the mid-2010s, I'd be quite happy.

I seriously feel the new Figo twins are going to turn out to be successful for Ford India, and propel them into the league of manufacturers who sell more than 10,000 vehicles a month. Tata and Toyota better watch out, for their positions on the monthly sales chart are going to come under threat soon!

[chncar]

Originally Posted by arunphilip

As long as Ford don't price it obscenely and cause it to 'expire'!

Or launch a non-AC variant called 'perspire'

[i74js]

In addition to correct pricing, Ford should also look at India as serious market with this launch and should not try to use the Indian manufacturing facility for catering to international markets until the initial demand is flushed out and stabilizes.

This overlooked Indian buyers with Ecosport and are now looking for customers for sales in India with all kinds of advertisements.

Figo with competitive pricing could be a compelling product to look at and can hit hard to almost every player operating in this market.

Watch out MSIL / Hyundai / Honda and yes Tata too.

[vinya_jag]

Does somebody remember the 'Bajaj Aspire'?
It was a dud bike, launched sometime after the Hoodibaba.

[Aditya]

The Ford Figo Aspire compact sedan and hatchback are likely to get different interiors.

Link to Team-BHP News Article

While the Figo hatchback gets a black dashboard, the Aspire sedan gets a beige unit. Both cars get vertical air conditioner vents, but different displays for the infotainment. While the one in the hatchback is integrated into the dashboard like that of the EcoSport and Fiesta, the one on the Aspire is a standalone unit that pops up from the top of the dashboard. Both cars share the same steering wheel - borrowed from the EcoSport and Fiesta.





Source: Motor Octane

[rohitbagai]

I spotted the motorcade of these cars at NH-1 few days back. Did'nt have any idea if it was a ford till I found it printed on the Glass. The hatchback looked well proportioned and well built. Both Petrol and Diesel variants were there.

[sandeepmohan]

^^
The first photograph does indicate an automatic transmission which is good.

[nkrishnap]

The headlamps looks very similar updated i10. The design though not radical will definitely infuse life to the sales charts with the sedan and hatchback.

Hope the current is Figo is replaced instead of being sold along side with the updated model.

[Rajeevraj]

Great to see an AT transmission with these new offerings from Ford. Hope it is the same DCT unit used in the Ecosport. Discontinuing AT versions of the Fiesta was a bad move. Good that they are not repeating it with the new Figo and the compact Sedan.

In my opinion, lot of buyers would like to buy an AT < 10L but suffer from lack of choice. For a lot of them the older 4 speed AT's used by Maruti and Hyundai (Not to mention the lack of safety features in the AT variants) become a deal breaker. The Honda Brio/Amaze do not have the plush factor and miss many of the nice to have features. The GT TSI is quite expensive and the VW perception comes into play. The Micra has everything, but a lazy CVT and questionable dealer attitude is a concern.

Ford cars are a little bit of everything, they typically perform and handle well, are well built and come with most of the features an Indian buyer looks for. So a well equipped Figo/Compact Sedan will definitely bring in a very good option to the AT segment. A DCT AT gearbox will definitely make it the top AT hatch/compact sedan choice for the segment

Note: Provided Ford takes some effort to market and sell their cars in volume. They always focus on one model and that too they somehow keep giving the impression that they are not too keen to sell here and are happy with exports.