[dhruv Khosla]

saw one being test driven in West delhi. glad to see a different colour than red. I am full-up with figo previews and pictures all in that red/maroon colour.

[RavenAvi]

The good folks from IAB have extensively reviewed the Figo Aspire in it's diesel avatar.

Excerpts:

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.

IAB

[damager21]

Ford Figo Aspire Titanium Plus Petrol review by IAB

Ford will also launch the Ford Figo Aspire with two petrol engines, a 1.2 Ti-VCT and 1.5 Ti-VCT unit, which are paired to a 5-speed manual and 6-speed Powershift dual clutch automatic, respectively.

The range-topping Titanium Plus trim gets leather upholstery as standard, which improves the premium appeal of the cabin. It is also the first sub-4m sedan to offer leather upholstery from the factory itself. The center console is finished in the same glossy black plastic trim, and it loses the phone docking feature for a SYNC infotainment display with Bluetooth connectivity. It also features more chunky buttons to navigate through the system.
The dedicated infotainment system comes with a voice-command function, which is first-in-class. However it couldn’t identify any of the commands in the first try, which is quite a common criticism among most voice command systems in vehicles. Despite being an infotainment system in the range-topping trim, it doesn’t feature a full fledged color display with on-board navigation or video support, which is otherwise available in the Honda Amaze and Tata Zest.

Another feature exclusive to the Titanium trim is the Ford MyKey, which is similar to the parental control feature on a set top box and T.V. When inserted into the ignition, the system identifies the MyKey code, activating the settings pre-selected for the key.

Powering the Ford Figo Aspire is a new 1.2-liter Ti-VCT petrol engine, which delivers 88 hp at 6,300 rpm and 112 Nm of torque at 4.000 rpm through a standard 5-speed manual gearbox. An automatic 6-speed dual clutch gearbox option is only available in the 112 hp 1.5-liter Ti-VCT petrol variant. We tested the less-powerful Figo Aspire with 1.2-liter engine.
While the noise insulation in the diesel model is something left to be desired, the petrol variant is remarkably silent at idle and the low rev range.

The naturally aspirated engine delivers its power in a very refined and smooth manner, although 88 horses aren’t adequate enough to overtake vehicles swiftly. So it seems that while the diesel variant is better suited for the car enthusiast, the petrol variant is for the relaxed driver who just wants to get from A to B smoothly. We reckon that people who mainly commute around the city could find a match in the less powerful and linear petrol engine.

[Vid6639]

What's the final spec of the automatic? Seeing conflicting information. Will the 6 speed DCT get the 1.2L engine or the 1.5L?

[batterylow]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

What's the final spec of the automatic? Seeing conflicting information. Will the 6 speed DCT get the 1.2L engine or the 1.5L?

The Ford India site mentions only the 1.2L petrol and the 1.5 Diesel engine. So I'm guessing the automatic has to be the 1.2 ?

[JonSnow]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

What's the final spec of the automatic? Seeing conflicting information. Will the 6 speed DCT get the 1.2L engine or the 1.5L?

1.2L Ti-VCT comes with MT and 1.5L Ti-VCT with DCT. I didn't see any conflicting report anywhere. See below post for official brochure.

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

Much clearer images of the official Figo Aspire brochure, courtesy Rush Lane:

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

What's the final spec of the automatic? Seeing conflicting information. Will the 6 speed DCT get the 1.2L engine or the 1.5L?

Originally Posted by batterylow

The Ford India site mentions only the 1.2L petrol and the 1.5 Diesel engine. So I'm guessing the automatic has to be the 1.2 ?

Originally Posted by JonSnow

1.2L Ti-VCT comes with MT and 1.5L Ti-VCT with DCT. I didn't see any conflicting report anywhere. See below post for official brochure.

But there is something strange here. I distinctly recall the Ford Aspire website mentioning the 3 engine options. But now it is showing only 2. The AT has also not been available for media drives which is kind of strange since that would have been a major USP of the car.

But having said that, the leaked brochure mentions it and it was also mentioned at the media drive pictures in the earlier earlier pages.

Maybe the AT launch has been pushed and will happen only at a later date.

[Deep Blue]

Ford is smart to launch the sedan before the hatch so that the folk can't complain of the " add on boot"!. Ford will rather be happy with " chopped off boot " comment once the hatch is released. I still find Amaze's boot integration to be the best. Ford's looks stubby more so with those puny wheels.

[raghav135]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

What's the final spec of the automatic? Seeing conflicting information. Will the 6 speed DCT get the 1.2L engine or the 1.5L?

It is confirmed from multiple sources that AT variant will come in 1.5 litre engine with 110ps power.

Just a wild thought:
Ford may try doing a "full boot" version of ford aspire (ford ka) for the 1.5 litre AT variant, since there is not much point in sub 4 meter sedan for1.5L petrol.

[RavSam]

Originally Posted by Deep Blue

I still find Amaze's boot integration to be the best. Ford's looks stubby more so with those puny wheels.

Leaving aside the boot integration the Aspire looks better in each and every department. The only piece of design I like on the Amaze is the tail-lamp.
May be Honda will plonk the Mobilio RS headlamps into the Amaze but still Aspire looks the best, then the Zest and then the Xcent.

[Vik0728]

Originally Posted by RavSam

Leaving aside the boot integration the Aspire looks better in each and every department. The only piece of design I like on the Amaze is the tail-lamp.
May be Honda will plonk the Mobilio RS headlamps into the Amaze but still Aspire looks the best, then the Zest and then the Xcent.

I second your opinion RavSam and really feel only good thing about Amaze's looks are the tail lights. Until the New Honda City came about, this car probably had better tail lights than any other Honda in India. However, that is the only thing that I find good about the Amaze.

Aspire (1.5 Diesel) seems to be hitting the right nodes with respect to practicality, VFM and performance. So Ford really have 2 simple things left to do now:

1. Price the Aspire aggressively and they can see themselves climb up the sales chart.

2. Plonk that new 1.5 TCDI on Ecosport, Fiesta & Figo to seal the first point .

[RavenAvi]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

What's the final spec of the automatic? Seeing conflicting information. Will the 6 speed DCT get the 1.2L engine or the 1.5L?

Here you go, Vidyut:

LINK

With news that production of the new Fiesta has been stopped since last month, we might see the petrol DCT being introduced in the newest iteration of the Fiesta after the Aspire launch (which might see only 2 fuel options initially).

Amidst reports that the EcoSport and the Fiesta both are in line to get the "tweaked" 1.5L TDCi after the Aspire, maybe Ford is fast-tracking the Fiesta with the "tweaked" diesel heart and the 1.5L petrol DCT for launch first, with full focus on the Figo hatch and the EcoSport facelift scheduled for the later part of this financial year.

[kozhissery]

Its quite strange from the part of manufacturers to see that they are skipping fully loaded vehicles from top end Automatics. Does it mean that the people opting for AT do not care for safety features. Aspire AT does not seem to have side airbags and same is the case of Creta AT. Which means if you need safety skip convenience.

[Amarkarthi]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

What's the final spec of the automatic? Seeing conflicting information. Will the 6 speed DCT get the 1.2L engine or the 1.5L?

Atleast this article states that there will be 2 Petrol engines on offer for the Aspire - 1.2 DuraTEC and 1.5 TiVCT with 6 speed Powershift DCT

http://indianautosblog.com/2015/07/f...coboost-184165

[Blur]

Had a question.

Details that have emerged thus far say that the 'Trend' trim version will not have the chrome slats on the front grille. Do you think one could get it fitted after-market? At the dealer itself?

Never before was I a fan of chrome. But this one time, it does look sooper sweet.

Otherwise the feature list of the 'Trend' trim version on the Diesel have me sold on it.