[kaushikduttajsr]

Originally Posted by abhinav.s

So this could be an instruction keeping the safety of occupants or the design of the airbag in mind then? Did the accessory guy tell you the reason why they are not supposed to install the seat covers?

Yes. That's the reason the accessory guy quoted. While I understand that installing seat covers might interfere with the deployment of airbags, Ford should have:

1) Come up with a better default fabric/leather
2) Come up with seat covers that won't interfere with the deployment of the airbags.

And this is where my grudge lies. They won't even try; seems like ford has threatened them. I'm going to escalate this and ask the ASM if they are okay with a customer canceling a booking just because there are no compatible seat covers.

The other issue with buying the Titanium+ is the absence of grab handles.

[2cents]

Originally Posted by kaushikduttajsr

Ford should have:

1) Come up with a better default fabric/leather

Plus 1 to that.

Originally Posted by kaushikduttasjr

2) Come up with seat covers that won't interfere with the deployment of the airbags.

And this is where my grudge lies. They won't even try; seems like Ford has threatened them.

Are you referring to the Dealer not willing to try!! Well, isn't it possible that airbags will deploy while installing seat covers!!

I'm going to escalate this and ask the ASM if they are okay with a customer canceling a booking just because there are no compatible seat covers.

Originally Posted by kaushikduttasjr

The other issue with buying the Titanium+ is the absence of grab handles.

Side airbags at play here. As pointed out in the review, this seems to be unique with Ford, but even with the more expensive Ecosport.

[kaushikduttajsr]

Originally Posted by 2cents

Side airbags at play here. As pointed out in the review, this seems to be unique with Ford, but even with the more expensive Ecosport.

I don't think that the airbags will deploy while installing seat covers. There are airbag friendly seat covers available in the market. I just don't know why Ford wouldn't release it as an official accessory.

[vigvr]

I work closely with car dealerships for new car sales and I noticed that Ford has introduced a new TREND+ variant for the Freestyle. Price lists seem to carry it, but it's not available on the brochure at the moment for some reason. It is available only with the 1.2L dragon petrol option though. There are even cars available in stock

The pricing still lacks clarity though. The current Ex-Showroom price for the Trend+ (petrol) stands at Rs. 6,13,000, while the Trend variant is at Rs. 6,09,000. The difference isn't substantial.

But here are my guesses:
1. A variant rejig can be expected soon.
Ford has been tweaking (increasing) prices for the Freestyle since launch. In Sept, it went up by Rs. 15,000 /- (on-road).

2. Alignment with the Aspire's variants
if the above is true, we can expect alignment with the Aspire's variant loading, which would mean that Ford could delete the FLY touchscreen system from the Freestyle's Trend variant and other associated features like the reverse camera and offer them from Trend+ onwards.

Funnily, it's not available in the diesel option.

[rohith741]

Originally Posted by hardoop

We a bunch of pan India FS owners, about 150 members who are part of a whatsapp group, are planning to send a collective email to Ford, asking them to consider giving the early owners an option to have the adjustable rear headrests upon some additional payment. Because it is just about 3 or 4 months since most of the early owners got their cars and now Ford provides this.

Hi hardoop,
Can you please add me as well to the whatsapp group or provide me the link to join. I also crave for the adjustable read head rests badly and would like this this to gain traction

[Darth_Vader]

Originally Posted by rohith741

Hi hardoop,
Can you please add me as well to the whatsapp group or provide me the link to join. I also crave for the adjustable read head rests badly and would like this this to gain traction

+1 Please do share details. Took delivery of Canyon Ridge T+ Petrol last month. So far happy with the entire package. Its peppy and fun to drive. Few points to remember is if in stop go traffic, either rev higher over 2000 rpm or slip back to 1st gear and you should be fine, since its a 3 cylinder engine, you will feel there is lack of power at lower RPM's

[VeluM]

Originally Posted by Darth_Vader

Few points to remember is if in stop go traffic, either rev higher over 2000 rpm or slip back to 1st gear and you should be fine, since its a 3 cylinder engine, you will feel there is lack of power at lower RPM's

Slightly

Wouldn't one already be in 1st gear in stop and go traffic?

I remember that the old Mahindra "jeep" drivers used 2nd as the starting gear, but I'm sure it is not recommended for a small petrol - it will prematurely wear out the clutch.

[snaseer]

I know its a total personal choice, but would still like to know whats the best color on the Freestyle? I have booked Ruby Red but now having second thoughts to change to either white or Canyon Ridge

[2cents]

Originally Posted by snaseer

I know its a total personal choice, ...

Yup!! It is personal. But I feel the Canyon ridge most suits its. Besides, with other colors at times I've failed to differentiate it from a Figo, if it matters. One curious thing is this color is probably the in thing these days --- I see it on i20, i20 active and Duster.

[kaushikduttajsr]

Originally Posted by snaseer

I know its a total personal choice, but would still like to know whats the best color on the Freestyle? I have booked Ruby Red but now having second thoughts to change to either white or Canyon Ridge

Check out the picks from my PDI. I took delivery of my car last Sunday. Ruby red with the gloss black sunroof is a showstopper. I wouldn't buy the Freestyle in any other color

[rajivtelang]

Quick question on Freestyle vs. Aspire 2018. I am finding many more features in Aspire 2018 Trend+ compared to Freestyle Trend and that too with not much of a price difference (Ex Showroom, Bangalore). Could somebody confirm here?

Mods: If you feel this is not a right post in this thread kindly move to appropriate one but thought this as the closest for this query I had.

[nmenon]

Took my first trip in the Freestyle after the first Service.

Went to Uluppuni and Vagamon. Some parts of the roads were relatively poor with lots of stones and mud rather than tarmac.

The traction control helped us get up the terrain but with 4 people and luggage onboard there was quite a bit of liberal clutch slipping and first gear usage to climb.

The suspension and ground clearance were very handy in tackling these near non existent roads and steep hairpins.

But the road from Uluppuni to Vagamon was one of the best hill roads I've seen. Beautifully surfaced single lane.

Posting a few pics of the views on the way..

[Arwin07]

https://youtu.be/L85qRCjEDMg

Ford Freestyle TCS, ESC demonstrated in wet road (on a track) during Global NCAP World Safety Congress, India in this video of CarandBike.

For the part of Ford Freestyle, check out from 1:50 to 3:24.

Sad that people (and hence manufacturers) prefer cosmetic interiors to ESC, that allegedly costs only Rs.25,000 to 30,000.

On a similar note, is it possible to retrofit ESC/TCS to existing cars? Like old Aspire, Figo?

[Dieselritzer]

Any news on the launch of its automatic version?

[kaushikduttajsr]

I was all prepared for my weekend getaway to Coorg 15 mins back. I pushed the start button and waited for the warning lamps to go away. I became concerned when they didn't turn off on their own. Now I have the following 4 warning lamps on and they won't go away:

1) Stability control
2) Hill assist
3) ABS
4) Airbag

The car was parked for the past 6 days and it is raining since morning in bangalore. I don't know what is wrong with my 2 month old car and my weekend plan is ruined!

I don't know if I should be scared or angry with Ford for making a car that starts throwing tantrums within 2 months. Help!