Ford unveils Figo Aspire with advanced safety including side airbags as standard feature, smart technology and powerful

efficient engines

Udaipur

For those who dare to aspire for the very best, there’s good news coming. The Figo Aspire, projected by Ford as the “most powerful, safe and compact sedan” is expected to be launched simultaneously in India and Nepal by mid-August. In an exclusive event at Udaipur in Rajasthan, Ford’s latest and most promising entrant in the rapidly expanding sub-compact sedan segment was unveiled to a select group of media people including this scribe who was flown down to an exciting unveiling and test drive of the Aspire.

The Figo Aspire will come with two engine options, a 1.5-litre TDCi diesel (that also powers the EcoSport) and an all-new 1.2-litre TiVCT petrol. The sub-compact sedan will also offer two transmissions, a five-speed manual and a six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. The automatic transmission, however, will be offered only with the 1.2-litre petrol model in the Titanium trim.

The Ford Figo Aspire comes with a list of first in its segment, and hot on that list are its safety features like six airbags (including airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, and side and curtain airbags), airbags as standard feature, perimetre alarm, Hill Launch Assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). The Aspire will be offered in four trim levels — Ambiente, Trend, Titanium and Titanium +.

“Created specifically as a no-compromise compact sedan it will delight customers,” Ford India Executive Director, Marketing, Sales and Service, Anurag Mehrotra said at the unveiling event.  Ford is looking to get into the high growth compact sedan

segment which already has fierce competition among already existing players like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Honda Cars and Tata Motors. Over the next nine months Ford also plans to introduce two more models, its new Figo hatchback and Endeavour SUV.

The Figo Aspire, is the first car to roll out from Ford’s new plant in Gujarat’s Sanand and promises owners the best milage and a compact car that sees itself as second to none in quality, design and features. Designed to live up to the global One Ford worldwide standards it packs a powerful punch with some of the most advanced technologies. The innovative ‘MyKey’ feature allows owners to programme keys with restricted driving modes like increasing seat belt use, limiting  the vehicle’s top speed and regulating audio volume.

The Figo Aspire is also equipped with SYNC with AppLink, Ford’s advanced in-car connectivity system, and has a secret side

compartment, only accessible when the driver’s door is open to store valuables. While at the wheel you can control your phone, entertainment and apps hands-free by using simple voice commands.