[dZired]

Ford is reportedly developing a new touchscreen infotainment system, which will be equipped in the automaker's future range of cars. The new touchscreen system will also be added to the Figo and Aspire siblings, which will then be launched as a model year update in 2018.

Interestingly, inclusion of a touchscreen head unit in the Figo and Aspire means that Ford designers would need to redesign the entire centre console. Currently, the Figo and Aspire get Ford's Sync 1 infotainment system, with a 4.2-inch multi-function display, which isn't a touchscreen.

It remains to be seen whether Ford decides to equip the Figo and Aspire with the Ford Sync2 system from the new Endeavour, or designs an all-new system for the two cars.

Source: Autocar India

Link to Team-BHP News

[arnabchak]

More than the fact that the Aspire Twins may get a touchscreen Infotainment in 2018, the bigger question that the Ford India management should answer is whether the Aspire twins lasts till that year.

With the dwindling sales, for all you know, Ford may pull the plugs well before 2018, similar to the way they pulled plugs off the Fiesta(facelift) last year.

[YashD]

MotorOctane folks further reports that both the Figo Twins will also get features likes start stop system with keyless entry, reverse parking camera and Navigation system along with the touchscreen infotainment system. As per them the car will launch this year itself.

As Dzired pointed out Ford designers will have to redesign the entire central console for the inclusion of a touchscreen unit. So, these few questions came straight to my head.

1) Will They call it a facelift as the entire central console will be changed?
2) When are they planning to launch it?
3) Will this unit be carried over in the Ecosport?
4) Assuming the launch of the updated version during festive season, will the designers be able to do design the console by then?
5) What about the other variants? Such kit will obviously come in the top two variants, what about the base and mid variants? Will they use the same interiors as now?

[arvind71181]

Considering the ecosport is the model which sells more, shouldn't it get the touch screen first? It would make the interiors a lot more modern which right now looks like the Nokia 6600 phone, which by itself is not bad, but when compared to competition can probably be better

[swiftnfurious]

Nice to see the changes happening across manufacturers. Everyone has started running fast and been trying to catch up or out run others. Better engine variants, better features, more safety options - Indian automotive landscape looks a lot better than ever. Hope the coming year focuses more on properly built cars with a minimum of 4 star safety ratings.

I think the facelift should come by 2018 considering the effort required plus testing to be done. Its also fair that Ford gets a better ROI on the existing bin rather than releasing such a major update rather quickly.

I pray they also work on bringing that Ford driving DNA in these cars by then. A facelift in 3 years sound fine to me. Hope they also bring some more technology bits to stay afloat among the competition. A mild hybrid version will help them get some incentives too and will help on a price front too.

[samaspire]

an aftermarket kit is already available online



http://www.ebay.in/itm/Speedwav-Konn...wAAOSwdWBXOwdF

when this can be done within less than a year, why does ford need 2 years to come up with something of their own!!

Ford, please launch this by diwali, along with push button start and heavier back doors.

[sumanbhokray]

The new infotainment system is made by the Blackberry, the brand of my choice.
From now on all the new cars from Ford will have Blackberry's infotainment systems like audi, BMW, and Mercedes.
More here.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...aces-microsoft