Ford Freestyle - Figo-based compact utility vehicle unveiled

Ford has unveiled the Freestyle compact utility vehicle (CUV) in India. The vehicle, which is scheduled to go on sale in Q2 of 2018, is a crossover version of the Figo hatchback.

The exterior of the Freestyle is similar to its hatchback sibling. However, at the front it features new design elements like a 3D mesh grille finished in black, smoked headlamps, a redesigned front bumper with C-shaped, black foglamp housings and a silver scuff plate. On the sides, the Freestyle gets a matte black plastic cladding, blacked-out B-pillars and ORVMs, silver roof rails and decals on the door panels. The car rides on 8-spoke alloy wheels finished in grey. The rear of the car features a roof-mounted spoiler and a tweaked bumper with black plastic inserts.

On the inside, the Freestyle gets a tweaked dashboard and a 6.5-inch floating touchscreen with Ford's SYNC 3 system. It is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and offers features like Bluetooth connectivity and voice commands.

Under the bonnet, the Freestyle comes with Ford's new 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine. It produces 95 BHP and 120 Nm of torque. This naturally-aspirated engine has been derived from the 1.5-litre Dragon Series engine that debuted in the EcoSport facelift that was launched in 2017. The car is also available with a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 99 BHP and 215 Nm of torque. 

Ford claims that the Freestyle has a wider track width and higher ground clearance compared to the standard Figo. The car is equipped with safety features such as traction control, ABS with EBD and up to 6 airbags. It also has Active Rollover Prevention (ARP) which works in tandem with ESC to detect potential rollover situations. In such a scenario, the system can apply brakes to individual wheels and decrease engine torque.