Next-gen Ford Figo hatchback caught testing

Ford unveiled the next-gen Figo sedan at the 2014 Auto Expo, based on which the new Figo hatchback is designed. The car is same as the Ka hatchback available in Brasil and test mules of the car were spotted in Udaipur.

This new Figo, spied on test, gets most of the components that the concept car had. The fascia boasts of the Aston Martin like grille that is seen on most new products from the carmaker. The Ford EcoSport and new Fiesta facelift also get it. The design and shape of the headlamps and tail lights is the same as the concept car, though they are not incorporated with LEDs. 

Coming to the powertrain, the diesel variant of the new Figo is expected to be powered by the same 1.4-litre TDCI engine that the outgoing Ford Figo is equipped with. The 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol mill might be made available, but to keep the costs down for emerging markets like India, Ford might do away with the turbocharger for these models. Both the petrol and diesel engines will send power to the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox.

This is third generation of the Ford Figo, the previous two being launched in 1996 and 2008. The new hatchback will replace the current Figo and Ford will manufacture the hatchback and its compact sedan counterpart at its Sanand factory in Gujarat. Minimal camouflage hints that the carmaker might soon launch the car in India. We can expect it to go on sale in the second half of this year and then it will compete with the Hyundai i20, Tata Bolt, upcoming Honda Jazz as well as the facelifted Fiat Punto and Maruti Suzuki Swift.