Ford Aspire 1.5 TDCi Review

FORD FIGO ASPIRE DIESEL: I didn't buy this car yet, but my friend owns a 2018 model. RIDING EXPERIENCE AND PERFORMANCE : Ford Aspire has a 1.5 litre TDCi diesel engine, which produces 100 ps power and 215 Nm of torque, paired to five speed manual gearbox. The motor is not that punchy lower down and past 1400 rpm the motor pulls all the way till 5000 rpm which is the redline. There is no turbo lag and mid range is the strongest point of this car. 0-100 kmph takes 9.72 seconds. It is a refined motor in lower rpms but post 3000 rpm the motor gets vocal. The gearbox is a sleek shifting unit and the clutch is also on the lighter side. The steering is on the lighter side but feels dead in the centre position. The suspension is on the softer side but you can feel slight thud inside the cabin on the worst of roads. The brakes are better than the older version but there is little nosedive under heavy braking. Overall it is fun to drive and a keen driver's car. EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR : The 2018 facelifted model gets a new grill and bumper at front. It gets new 15'' alloys (195/55 R15). The rear bumper is also revised, it gets four parking sensors and a reverse parking camera. It gets 359 litres of boot space. The ground clearance is 174 mm and the turning radius is 4.9 m. The rear seat has enough leg room, knee room and head room but the under thigh support is slightly lacking. It gets a rear centre armrest without cup holders. It gets beige fabric upholstery which gives an airy feeling. The titanium variant gets a 7" touch screen with inbuilt satellite navigation. It gets automatic climate control air conditioning system and push button start. It gets two USB ports and a 12 v power socket at the front. The driver's instrument cluster gets a tachometer at the left, a fuel meter at the right, a speedometer at the centre and a MID below the speedometer. It also gets steering mounted audio controls. SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE : Ford has given a first in segment 5 years/1 lakh km warranty. It comes with 2 labor free services. The fist service is done after 2500 km/3 months which consists of inspection and washing. The second service is done after 10000 km/1 year which consists of oil change, filter change etc.. Then the periodic paid service is done once every 10000 km/1 year, which ever is early. The engine oil costs Rs.1250, oil filter - Rs.405, brake fluid - Rs.765, air filter - Rs.230, coolant - Rs.1265. SAFETY : Top model gets 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, automatic headlamps, rain sensing wipers, rear parking sensors and camera, ventilated front disc brakes, rear drum brakes, height adjustable driver seats, emergency assistance, perimeter alarm and driver and passenger seat belt reminder. 2 airbags, reverse parking sensors and ABS with EBD is standard across all variants. PROS : Diesel engine performance Fun to drive Steering is light and weighs up decently at higher speeds Segment leading safety Fuel efficient diesel engine Well equipped mid variants Ride and Handling Ride quality CONS : Front passenger seat brushes with the centre console when moved all the way front Pedal area isn't spacious and lacks a dead pedal No rear door pockets and no cup holders in the rear armrest No rear ac vents No front centre armrest No projector headlamps or DRLs No electromagnetic tailgate opener Small and Dated Multi Information Display