[Dramitn]

Autocar has driven the new Ford and the report is in the January issue.

https://www.autocarindia.com/car-new...ct-ford-406912

[volkman10]

Update on the Figo Crossover!

Ford’s newest 1.2-litre engine, the second iteration of its 'Dragon' family of petrol engines after the 1.5-litre unit that debuted in the EcoSport, is set for a market introduction in the first half of 2018. This smaller capacity motor will debut in a new, yet-to-be-named, derivative spun-off the Figo platform. The 1.2 petrol will also power the mid-cycle refreshes of both, the Figo hatchback and Aspire compact sedan models.

The high-tech Dragon unit sets a benchmark in the naturally aspirated 1.2-litre class with a best-in-class power and torque output of 95hp and 115Nm, respectively

Link

[Chetan_Rao]

If this bit is true, NVH may be an issue. Both the Honda and Suzuki 1.2L motors are class-leading on that front.

...unlike the 1.5-litre unit, the 1.2-litre engine doesn’t get a balancer shaft that helps smoothen out the natural vibrations of a three-cylinder engine....

[volkman10]

Figo Crossover revealed,

Under the hood, the Figo Cross will sport the all-new 1.2-litre Dragon series petrol engine which should ideally pump about 90bhp of power if not more. It will also get the standard 1.5-litre diesel with 100bhp on tap and both the engines will come mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Link

[arunphilip]

To me, the bit on the front page news article that caught my eye and excited me is this - that the 2018 edition might come with a new Getrag sourced 5-speed manual gearbox.

For far too long Ford has persisted with the IB5 gearbox (something that's over 20 years old in design), and has used it in far too many vehicles.

If they're moving to a new gearbox that is contemporary, that is finally good news, as the old IB5 gearbox is slightly notchy, and is nowhere as slick as those offered by Maruti, Hyundai, etc.

If Ford are upgrading their gearboxes, why not a 6-speeder for the diesel? Its got the grunt, and can do with a cruising gear.

[AYP]

In terms of features, the Figo twins were 'barely' there with the segment at launch. The lack of a touchscreen, missing reversing aids and an uninspiring instrument cluster being the main grouse with the car. From the looks of it, Ford is indeed going to offer a touchscreen and it should most probably come with a reverse camera as well, though the instrument cluster looks the same as before. I hope that these changes will bring in more volumes for Ford.

[GTO]

Thanks to a Team-BHP fan (who prefers to stay anonymous) for sharing!

I want to add more info - the facelift will get the newly developed 1.5L Dragon Petrol on the Automatic variant (just like the Ecosport). However, the manual will get the newly tweaked 1.2L petrol that will be more efficient than its predecessor. It will get a touchscreen from the mid-variant itself and will also get new alloy designs.

The dashboard and instrument cluster will remain the same as the outgoing car, except for the touchscreen.

[SoumenD]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Figo Crossover revealed

Doesn't that look Punto-ish? And going by the visible cladding around if they pitch this as a crossover will the GC also be increased?

This bit from the Autocar article:

Cubic capacity is scaled down to 1,194cc by using smaller pistons. However, unlike the 1.5-litre unit, the 1.2-litre engine doesn’t get a balancer shaft that helps smoothen out the natural vibrations of a three-cylinder engine.

Guess this would hamper the refinement to some extent when compared to the 1.2L petrol segment leaders currently(iVtec/K12)? But then I wonder how many petrol Figos get sold anyways. Most of the iterations I spot on road are the wonderful TDCIs. This one might be a welcome change over its predecessor.

With SWIFT around the corner, wonder if anyone would even notice this.

[Chetan_Rao]

The car in the pics has manual A/C, I hope that means it will be available in multiple variants including the top one, rather than a mid-variant only product.

They'll either need to jump the Swift launch, or hold off for a while to get traction. Taking it on won't end well.

Any news of the autobox being the new TC unit from the Ecosport?

[PrideRed]

Autocar has some more updates:

Will it just be a jazzed-up Figo?
The new Ford will sport a new bonnet, grille and headlights that will make it to the Figo and Aspire in some time too. However, in true crossover fashion, the new Ford will boast higher ground clearance than the regular Figo hatchback – 15mm more to be precise – as well as a wider track. It will also get the appropriate cosmetic treatment, namely roof rails and more body cladding, and ride on larger, wider 185/60 R15 wheels.

What about the cabin?
The cabin incorporates small but significant changes vis-a-vis the current Figo. Taking centrestage on the revised dashboard is a touchscreen infotainment system. Interestingly, all versions of the car will get touchscreens – 6-inch units on lower variants and 8-inch units with Ford Sync 3 on top-spec variants. And top versions will also get six airbags.

And the engines?
A talking point of the new Ford will be its petrol engine. The model, after all, will be the launch vehicle for Ford’s brand-new powertrain - a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, from Ford’s Dragon engine family. The engine makes 95hp and 115Nm, giving it the best specific output among naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre engines in the class. Equally importantly, the engine will come mated to a new gearbox from Getrag, in place of the IB5 unit that has been a part of multiple Ford models in India since the time of the Ikon.

Anything else?
There’s more. The new Ford also features a steering and suspension set-up different from the Figo hatchback. The steering has been made lighter at low speeds and the ride has been enhanced too to become more absorbent.

And lastly, the new model could be called the Ford Freestyle, though Ford is yet to reveal the name officially.

https://www.autocarindia.com/car-new...edium=Facebook

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by PrideRed

And lastly, the new model could be called the Ford Freestyle, though Ford is yet to reveal the name officially.

Wonder why they need new model in the small crossover space when the Ecosport is covering pretty much the range under 12 lakhs.

IMO, they should be really looking at getting the Fiesta hatchback and maybe the sedan to go in the i20/Polo and Verna/City segments.

[PrideRed]

Originally Posted by vb-san

Wonder why they need new model in the small crossover space when the Ecosport is covering pretty much the range under 12 lakhs.

IMO, they should be really looking at getting the Fiesta hatchback and maybe the sedan to go in the i20/Polo and Verna/City segments.

Crossover/SUV is where the market is heading too. Heck even the tiny Kwid is made to look like one. The Figo Freestyle should cost atleast a lac or two less than Ecosport hence will cater to lot of Ignis,i10 customers. Secondly this appears like Ford's attempt to revive brand Figo!

[Mad Max]

Originally Posted by GTO

Thanks to a Team-BHP fan (who prefers to stay anonymous) for sharing!

" the facelift will get the newly developed 1.5L Dragon Petrol on the Automatic variant "

Whoa! That must be a hoot to drive! Hopefully this comes with paddle shifts and hope they also mate it well to the engine.

They definitely need to fix the uninspiring rear of the Figo. Even my old one, with the Christmas tree lights, looks cooler compared to the new one.

[Dieselritzer]

Will this get the current diesel engine?

[RavenAvi]

Originally Posted by vb-san

Wonder why they need new model in the small crossover space when the Ecosport is covering pretty much the range under 12 lakhs.

Originally Posted by PrideRed

The Figo Freestyle should cost atleast a lac or two less than Ecosport hence will cater to lot of Ignis,i10 customers.

This is their attempt at countering the Ignis, and to an extent the Tata Nexon, by having a crossover offering at a lower price point than the EcoSport with the usual Ford strengths - engine + build quality + Ford badge.

They will follow the Freestyle with similar updates to the Figo/Aspire twins, before introducing the B563 twins (premium hatch + Honda City rival).

The overall idea is to have separate, different offerings across segments in the sub-10 lakhs (volume selling) range and place an option each for the B-segment hatch, hatch+crossover, hatch-based sedan, hatch-based SUV, premium hatch, premium hatch-based sedan & premium SUV (Creta rival). The last one will join their ranks by 2020.