[kiku007]

There are like a thousand enthusiasts who can differentiate a diesel car from petrol car without even driving it. How do these market research firms cleverly choose people who will not be able to identify such details? This is when the intention was to get true feedback, but if they want to record feedback that would make their client happy, then this is the way to go.

[Vigkey]

Originally Posted by Clouseau

Not sure, but I probably drove a petrol version. This car should do well here and abroad. Anyone who's interested in it - Test Drive quick!

Clouseau, if not anything else, the red line marking in the tachometer should have been a giveaway on the engine. Can you recollect if the red line was around 4.5k or around 6.5k rpm??

[arjab]

Thought I'd bring what i observed to the notice of all in this Forum:

Have you all noticed the boot hinge mechanism in the ASPIRE?

The Ford official Indian Website as well as the sneak - peek brochure as uploaded by RavenAvi shows the boot hinges of the ASPIRE, to be like that of the Fiat Linea.

That is, there is a scissor hinge, complemented by twin gas balancer struts. Costly, but this affords better space utilisation for the boot area and most importantly prevents luggage crush when the boot lid is closed.

However in the ACTUAL vehicle which was displayed at various malls across our country, the pictures show the boot hinges to be the conventional "goose-neck" type with mechanical , spring loaded counter-balancers! (Indigo, ETIOS et al)

So, which one is it for India ? And why the two different pictures?

Is the bootlid with the scissor hinges/hydraulic struts meant for the Export version? It can be, I guess, because, in exports:
1) Cost may be relaxed a bit
2) May be required / better suited for export market rear crush homologation requirements?

Whatever it is : there seems to be a confusion with the pictures and the actual vehicle displayed. And that too on the Ford official Indian website!

Hope Ford India PR / Corporate Communications / Marketing corrects it to whatever is proper!

Pic sources: Ford official Indian website and Indianautosblog.

[shantanumishra]

Originally Posted by arjab

So, which one is it for India ? And why the two different pictures?

Is the bootlid with the scissor hinges/hydraulic struts meant for the Export version?

Pls be rest assured that the production model would definitely have traditional Goose-Neck hinges only, much more cost efficient.

However, what is making me worried is the terrible color choice made by Ford for the boot carpet, What were they thinking?

[Gannu_1]

Excellent observation arjab!

I am guessing we are going to get the traditional hinges with the spring loaded boot-lid, going by the current trend (never seen sub-10L sedans with gas struts for the boot operation) and some cost-cutting.

IAB's snaps seem to be from the public unveiling so that appears to be the real deal IMO. That said, having gas struts would enable remote boot opening through the keyfob as well. The boot with the gas struts could be for the export variant - only time will tell.

[jayded]

I hope they at least provide the much needed cladding for the boot door rather than make it look bare and ugly, revealing all the holes and wires.

[Vid6639]

Originally Posted by arjab

The Ford official Indian Website as well as the sneak - peek brochure as uploaded by RavenAvi shows the boot hinges of the ASPIRE, to be like that of the Fiat Linea.

That is, there is a scissor hinge, complemented by twin gas balancer struts. Costly, but this affords better space utilisation for the boot area and most importantly prevents luggage crush when the boot lid is closed.

Originally Posted by shantanumishra

Pls be rest assured that the production model would definitely have traditional Goose-Neck hinges only, much more cost efficient.

Originally Posted by Gannu_1

Excellent observation arjab!
I am guessing we are going to get the traditional hinges with the spring loaded boot-lid, going by the current trend (never seen sub-10L sedans with gas struts for the boot operation) and some cost-cutting.

I noticed this as well and realised that the photos were probably from the pre production prototype or the concept having the struts and then the actual production will not.

I thought it was a brilliant move from Ford. As the gas struts don't eat into the compact boot and offer more usable space.

Alas, the demo cars in the malls didn't have them.

[Contrapunto]

Originally Posted by arjab

So, which one is it for India ? And why the two different pictures?

Needless to say, the cheaper one is for India

[petrolhead_neel]

A very trusted source told me that there will be the 1.5l petrol with DCT along with the 1.2l petrol and 1.5l diesel. He also said that the car is going to have electronically foldable ORVMs.
Some pictures of the Aspire for BHPians to enjoy(Sender's name not to be disclosed) :

[ramzsys]

Originally Posted by petrolhead_neel

Some pictures of the Aspire for BHPians to enjoy(Sender's name not to be disclosed) :

I would prefer the music system low down like this than in the Ecosport where it is sunbathing all the day.

Way to go, youngest bhpian. You make us proud.

The 'cuteness' quotient* of this car suggests me that there's a lot of single female folks buying this. And that also means, convincing the b(i/e)tter half is easy.

Are you watching this thread Ford? There's one more thing that need to be done and that is giving eye catchy colors(on the outside, i mean. Not unlike the Figo colored dash).

* 'cuteness' quotient-as arrived by chrome, interior beige, boot beige, ultra-shiny console panel, etc.

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by petrolhead_neel

A very trusted source told me that there will be the 1.5l petrol with DCT along with the 1.2l petrol and 1.5l diesel. He also said that the car is going to have electronically foldable ORVMs.
Some pictures of the Aspire for BHPians to enjoy(Sender's name not to be disclosed) :

The interior pic shows device holder instead of the MID. And it still has Auto AC. And if its the same car in the pic, it also has alloy wheels & front fog lamps. Assuming MID will be offered in top variant, looks like even the mid variant would be well loaded, like Fiesta.

I personally miss cruise control, else this probably would have been the PERFECT car for me, after a remap!!

[sagarpadaki]

If this has a 90 BHP diesel then it would be our next car for sure. But I doubt Ford would give the same tune of Fiesta in aspire

[petrolhead_neel]

And here comes the next set of pictures! To everyone's worries, there will be beige carpetting in the boot area. Do note that this IS the production version of the Aspire coming from a very, very trusted source. I wish that I had provided him with a phone which has a better camera! Sorry for the low res photos. The interiors are a bit Hyundai-esque according to me. But things like the headlight knob looks much more premium when compared to the Figo/Classic. Enjoy:

[Mad Max]

Something about the back reminds me of the older Chevy Sail sedan. Overall looks are proportionate and so that's a good thing.

[sallubhai]

Thanks for the excellent spy pictures. Can anybody inform regarding the backseat width and whether 3 persons will be able to sit there?