[SchumiFan]

Originally Posted by vibbs

By going the same way as their competition, I think Ford has taken a step back.

Needless addition IMO.

I think Ecosport is out of reach for a lot of people. This car along with the 1.2L engine can be priced significantly less than Ecosport while also taking the fight to the fake crossovers launched by the rest of the manufacturers.

It is important to have a player in a segment that is getting more sales every month. Ecosport starts at 7.67L and i20 Active at 6.80L. Considering the price of Figo, I guess Freestyle might be priced significantly lower than Ecosport thus not cannibalizing the product while taking a pie out of the fake crossover market.

[blackwasp]

2018 Ford Ka+ unveiled in Europe. Prices start at €9,990 in Germany and £10,550 in the U.K. Ka+ Active (Freestyle) variant gets 23 mm increased ride height, 6.5-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps. The cars will go on sale later in 2018.

Features:
• Six airbags, Electronic Stability Control and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System protect occupants and Ford MyKey
• Power front windows and door mirrors, remote central locking, Hill Start Assist, Speed Limiter, and Ford Easy Fuel
• Tailgate-mounted switch for easy opening of the boot
• Offered with 1.2-litre 3-cyl petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine with Euro 6 norms and Auto Start-Stop technology.
• KA+ Active features a wider track, larger front anti-roll bar and uniquely tuned Electronic power steering and retuned dampers with a hydraulic rebound stopper

Further technologies include:
• Twin independent Variable Camshaft Timing that allows intake and exhaust valve timing to be adjusted independently for faster throttle response, improved low-end torque, and enhanced fuel-efficiency
• Integrated exhaust manifold that optimises the exhaust system warm-up for reduced emissions
• Two-stage variable displacement oil pump, Diamond-Like Coating for pistons and belt-in-oil primary drive belt design all contributing to optimised friction for greater fuel‑efficiency
• The all-new 1.2-litre Ti-VCT also delivers improved refinement with an innovative off-set crankshaft design that counter-balances the three-cylinder operation without the need for a balancer shaft, a valvetrain optimised for quieter operation and an acoustic-isolation system to reduce the intrusion of engine noise into the cabin.

Press release

[nvramsub]

Originally Posted by aniketi

Sadly I can't. Lots of people debated with me at the time of New Ford Fiesta as well. What happened? It was a super duper flop. I can see history repeating here

Predicting the flop of the new Fiesta wasn't very difficult the moment you knew that Ford had decided not to spend in marketing the product or limit the number of cars it sold to a dealer. Ford didn't do any launch event like this one. Fiesta is globally a successful product and it hardly mattered to them if it succeeded in India or not. They brought it here to give it to the enthusiasts who know what the car stands for. Even with just the diesel mill, they never had to give discounts to get the sales going.

While from a sales figure it looks like a flop, Ford intended it to be that way, and is not because of your theory of 'once a flop, always a flop'.

Contrast that with Freestyle. This was the Global preview. Ford is going to spend a lot in marketing this, perhaps even more than the Figo. It may still not set the sales charts in fire, and it may have nothing to do with your theory but the fact that Maruti and Hyundai have 60% market share overall and have a wider distribution network.

The real metric will be to see what is the market share it can get in its segment and if it is greater than Ford's overall market share, it is somewhat a success.

[Living2Drive]

My 2012 Figo used to rub against most of the speed bumps irrespective of load. This increased GC is a welcome for Indian roads. If the new 1.2 dragon has better low end torque than the old one, then this will sure be a hit.

Apologize for going..

Talking about Fiesta in India, most of the cars which are globally successful did not do so good in India. GetZ, corolla, camry, mondeo, Matiz, Fiesta, Fusion, Uno, palio, punto... Getz is the only car (in Hyundai India family) i feel is better planted at highway speeds, corolla & camry are globally high volume products, mondeo and Fiesta are pure drivers car. Any spirited driver who's enjoyed these two will never let go., fusion, you can shift 5th gear at 45 kms speed and still accelerate with out a single vibration from the engine... no one would need an explanation on durability and handling of Fiat products...

On the other hand cars which were a big flop globally were smashing hit in India, Qualis is known as abortion baby in toyota family but was a smashing hit in India, Santro was called deadly dolphin in korea because of its handling but was a super hit in India, most of the Maruti products could not be sold else were owing to poor crash and other legal norms, but make big numbers in India...

Its the typical "Kitna deti hai" mind set of most of Indian customers, forgetting there are other very important things beyond fuel efficiency and ownership cost (which is also important).

I happen to meet a friend who bought a Baleno after looking into new Figo, said Figo's door open close feel was bad, gives a hollow/ sheet metal rattle sound while operating, whereas Baleno felt solid and good. Maruti takes advantage of this kind of mind set as their advantage. Reality is Figo door has a better structural strength than Baleno.

Most middle class buyer will prefer Alto/i10/kwid as a good family car, trust me if a Volvo overtakes at highway speeds, these cars will shake like mad and scare everyone. I have felt it to a good extent even on the new gen i20 i rented from zoom for a family trip, but never in the 4 years of ownership on my old Figo..

I feel Ford should spend more time/money advertising their performance safety and handling characteristics to penetrate in the budget hatch segment.

[Porschefire]

Hey aniketi! Missed you in the Ford threads man! Glad you are back.

Originally Posted by aniketi

By changing name, you cant get success. Figo was success but with new model they lost all that, unfortunately.

Agree. Ford has had plenty of successful names in India in the past - Escort, Fusion, Figo, Fiesta. I just do not understand as to why they couldn't repeat the success.

Sadly I can't. Lots of people debated with me at the time of New Ford Fiesta as well. What happened? It was a super duper flop. I can see history repeating here

Agree with this one as well! I was one of the people who debated with you regarding the new Fiesta and I have to agree that it was a super duper flop! But you know what, after 3+ yrs and these many kms -





I can proudly say that I couldn't have chosen a better car for me and had I chosen a Maruti or a Hyundai, I'd never be this happy to drive a car! Trust me, I've driven a Ciaz plentiful to know what I'm talking about.

I feel, Ford has to stop aiming at competing with Maruti and Hyundai, start creating a market of its own just like it did it in the past, I'm confident that they will again taste the success they enjoyed once.

Mods: Sorry for the OT post.

[Thebat]

Originally Posted by nvramsub

They brought it here to give it to the enthusiasts who know what the car stands for. Even with just the diesel mill, they never had to give discounts to get the sales going.

While from a sales figure it looks like a flop, Ford intended it to be that way, and is not because of your theory of 'once a flop, always a flop'.

No company ever brings out a product willing wanting to sell less of them and the market to consider it as a flop. Especially in the segment the Fiesta competed in if Ford was to apply your theory of giving a taste of their car to only enthusiasts then they would have shut shop long ago.

You need to understand that a product no matter how good it might be if not seen on the roads would be a huge deterrent to a prospective customer in the segment.

Ford also offerd huge discounts on the Fiesta in 2014 to clear the remaining stocks.

Ford needs to get their marketing on track as no person I have met who is not a auto enthusiast knows that this car exists. They need to get the word out that this car is a viable option for those considering a pseudo crossover.

[SVK Rider]

Owing a Old Gen Figo, I am really happy to see this one specifically when i see the increased GC. However for the new gen figo I have always felt that the build quality of the new gen figo and asire has gone down a fair amount. Would like to know about the build quality of this new Freestyle. If it is like the old gen figo I am going for this one definitely.

[Waspune]

Originally Posted by SVK Rider

Owing a Old Gen Figo, I am really happy to see this one specifically when i see the increased GC. However for the new gen figo I have always felt that the build quality of the new gen figo and asire has gone down a fair amount. Would like to know about the build quality of this new Freestyle. If it is like the old gen figo I am going for this one definitely.

The freestyle is based on the new Figo so I am quite certain that the built quality won't be any different for the freestyle.

[CARDEEP]

Originally Posted by SVK Rider

Owing a Old Gen Figo, I am really happy to see this one specifically when i see the increased GC. However for the new gen figo I have always felt that the build quality of the new gen figo and asire has gone down a fair amount. Would like to know about the build quality of this new Freestyle. If it is like the old gen figo I am going for this one definitely.

The build quality is much better than any Japanese car... It's just that the door pads are almost hollow which gives an impression of flimsiness. Agreeably it is lighter than earlier Fords.

A rash Esteem driver who rear ended my car had to pay for his haste & my car came out unscathed.

The interiors though may be hard & cheap are sturdy & endured 52k Kms of my driving... Have seen much worse Swift belonging to an acquaintance of the same age... Mind you the Swift costs more than Figo.

[SVK Rider]

Originally Posted by CARDEEP

The build quality is much better than any Japanese car... It's just that the door pads are almost hollow which gives an impression of flimsiness. Agreeably it is lighter than earlier Fords.

A rash Esteem driver who rear ended my car had to pay for his haste & my car came out unscathed.

The interiors though may be hard & cheap are sturdy & endured 52k Kms of my driving... Have seen much worse Swift belonging to an acquaintance of the same age... Mind you the Swift costs more than Figo.

Yes true, but I do miss the old weight of the Figo, this is my very personal view, however in Ecosports they have retained the same feel of the body also.

[RavenAvi]

Caught on video testing on the streets completely uncamouflaged by a Thrust Zone reader.

https://youtu.be/Hpoba9WSF44

[oli.ferns]

someone posted this image today at the figo owners group page on facebook. Spotted outside the Ford India corporate office Gurgaon

[volkman10]

Ford Freestyle reaches dealerships, launching in April,











Link

[Dry Ice]

Any guesses on the pricing? That frontend looks great! A tad disappointed with the side profile, but overall, looks much better than the other Xs that have been launched in our country.

[RavenAvi]

Spotted by Abhinav on the roads earlier today. Thanks for sharing!

And a video by YouTube channel Automobile Enthusiasts which shows the complete Freestyle - exteriors & interiors!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnuQU7Wx3bc