- Ford to open bookings for the all-new Freestyle on 7th April, 2018.
- Will be launched with two engine options across eight variants.
- No automatic options yet, but gets ABS with EBD and dual front airbags as standard.
- Prices are expected to start at around Rs 5.5 – 6.5 lakhs.
Ford India will open bookings for the all-new Freestyle on 7th April. The Freestyle is an all-new global product from the American carmaker and it will be slotted below the EcoSport as an entry-level crossover in its line-up.
The all-new Freestyle will be introduced in eight variants – Ambiente, Trend, Titanium and Titanium+ - across both fuel variants. It will be offered with six colour options with ABS, EBD and dual front airbags as standard. The top-spec Titanium+ trim will get six airbags, hill start assist, ESP, traction control programme, climate control, auto headlamps, rain sensing wipers, button start and SYNC3 infotainment system. All models will have front power windows as standard as well.
Based on the Figo, the styling of the Freestyle is jacked-up with body cladding all around, and roof rails and a faux bash plate. The grille is newly designed and we hope to see the same in upcoming Figo and Aspire facelifts.
The mill under the hood will be the new 1.2-litre three-pot NA petrol engine of the Dragon family with an output of 95bhp and 120Nm. The oil burner will be the same tried and tested 1.5-litre TDCi producing 99bhp and 210Nm offered elsewhere in Ford line-up. Both the engines will be available with a five-speed manual transmission with no choice of automatic at the moment. Ford claims to have tuned the raised suspension with an increased track for a sportier ride. The cross-hatch sits on 185/60 R15 profile tyres. There is a new Active Rollover Prevention along with ESP, ABS, EBD and six airbags for added safety.
On the inside, the cabin is new as well, akin to the new EcoSport. The 6.5-inch floating touchscreen will come with SYNC3 infotainment system with smartphone integration while the instrument cluster is also scrounged from the EcoSport.
When launched, the Freestyle will compete with similar vehicles in the segment like the Toyota Etios Cross, Fiat Urban Cross, Hyundai Active i20 in the Indian market. It is expected to be priced in the range Rs 5.5 lakhs to Rs 8 lakhs which means it will also take on the premium B-segment hatchbacks and the compact sedans.
