Ford Figo Aspire compact sedan unveiled in Mumbai

The Ford Figo Aspire Compact Sedan was unveiled at an event at the Infiniti Mall in Mumbai as a part of the American automaker’s India-wide pre-launch roadshow. It is Ford’s first foray into the highly competitive CS segment which is rapidly expanding and has the presence of almost all the major mass market players. During the event we also had a chance to speak with PK Umashankar, VP customer service operations, regarding Ford’s plans with the Figo Aspire.
Firstly, the Ford Figo Aspire, is the American automaker’s first foray into the highly competitive compact sedan segment.  It is expected to be offered in eight variants of which four will be petrol and the rest diesel. The Figo hatchback is expected to follow the compact sedan a few months later with exactly the same specifications and feature list.
The former will get a 1.2-litre four-cylinder unit which is expected to produce around 75bhp to 80bhp and will be offered either with a five-speed manual or six-speed dual clutch AT. On the other hand, the oil burner will be the 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit that is expected to produce 90bhp and will be offered only with a five-speed manual.
The car that was on display was the top-spec Titanium diesel which is being offered with six airbags, ABS with EBD, hill-hold function, SYNC system with multimedia device integration, climate control and beige over black interior.
The company is targeting what it likes to call youthful buyers with this car and aims to create a niche for itself in the segment, much like how the Figo hatchback did when it was launched five years ago.
It is being produced at the Ford’s new plant at Sanand in Gujarat where it will be joined by the hatchback and later on, we believe, the B-MAX MPV which Ford is likely to showcase at the 2016 Auto Expo and will launch next year. Given that the car is entering a volumes heavy segment, it is believed to have the same level of localisation as the EcoSport. 
During the interactive session with Umashankar, we asked him the all-important question on vehicle pricing. He hinted that it would be a shock price that would ultimately make the competition take notice. We believe that Ford will launch the car with a sub Rs 5.6 lakh introductory price in a bid to get the volumes moving before increasing the prices to actual profitable levels.
Finally, he told us that this new Figo in both compact sedan and hatchback form would be exported to all the markets where the current India-made car has a presence.

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