The Big small car

Ford recently unveiled the new Figo in New Delhi at the global launch for this made-for-India hatchback. Ford’s fortunes are riding high on this car, which is aimed squarely at India’s small car market. The Figo is the main reason why Ford has invested $500 million to double its capacity to 200,000 units per annum. It’s clear that Ford wants to enter the big league alongside Maruti, Hyundai and Tata. But for a company that’s been on the sidelines for the better part of a decade, it won’t be easy.

Aware of the challenge it faces, Ford India is throwing everything behind its new hatchback. “We believe the Ford Figo is a big game-changer for Ford in India that will help transform our brand into a volume player,” says Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India.

Style file

First impressions of the new Ford indicate that Boneham could be right. The Figo — an all-new nameplate, which informally means ‘cool’ in Italian — looks smokin’ hot. It’s hard to believe that the Figo is essentially a re-skinned version of the previous-generation European Fiesta hatch on which the Indian Fiesta saloon is based.

The Figo, which shares key elements of Ford’s Kinetic Design language with the Mondeo, Focus and the latest European Fiesta, is quite a looker. Like the Ikon and Fiesta, the Figo has also been designed and engineered partly based on concepts developed by Ford Australia, unique for a Ford hatchback aimed at the Indian market.

The Figo’s nose is particularly distinctive and bears a strong resemblance to other ‘Kinetic’ Fords with a slim upper grille and a large and inverted lower grille which impart a sense of energy and motion even in photos. The lights have that stretched back look and are striking.

The 3.8-metre-long Figo has superb proportions, enhanced by muscular wheel arches and strong character lines that run across the sides. From the rear, the high-mounted vertical tail-lights and rear quarter-glass hark back to the Fiesta hatch and Fusion here. However, a different tailgate, completely new tail-light design and a smooth, chunky bumper give the Figo a dramatic and updated look. It looks contemporary and the styling should work well in the hatchback segment.

Inside story

At its New Delhi launch, the Figo’s interiors were blacked out to keep prying eyes away. Ford didn’t grant the press a peek inside because the interiors are not yet complete. The Figo will get fresh interiors, which means a brand new instrument panel, seats and trim.

According to Ford insiders, the interiors are expected to set new standards for small hatchbacks, combining class-leading aesthetics and functionality. The Figo is expected to have a similar amount of passenger space as its saloon siblings — built on the same 2486mm wheelbase as the Indian Fiesta and Ikon. Boot space is expected to be similar to the Fiesta hatch or around 253 litres.

The Figo is expected to come in three trim levels but it’s not certain if it will carry Ford’s terminology of Exi, Zxi or Sxi. It’ll have the same suspension set-up and a hydraulically assisted power steering as in the current Fiesta saloon.

With known mechanicals from the Fiesta, the Figo is expected to excel in the ride and handling department. And one can only hope for Ford to endow it with the same 1.6 engine to make the most of its competent chassis!

Under the hood

The Figo will initially come with two engine options — petrol and diesel. The diesel engine is the same 1.4 Duratorq 68bhp motor that powers the Ikon and Fiesta saloons. Incredibly responsive at low speeds and economical too, it should suit the urban driving conditions that the Figo will cater to. Ford is tweaking this engine to meet the upcoming Bharat Stage IV emission norms and for better drivability and economy.

Performance will be spirited thanks to a superior power-to-weight ratio (the Figo is expected to be 100kg lighter than the Fiesta). The Figo also gets a new all-aluminium 1.2-litre petrol motor, which is essentially a scaled-down version of the 1.4/1.6 Sigma petrol engines that power the Fiesta. Apart from engine similarities, the Figo will share common architecture like double overhead cams, four valves per cylinder and an aluminium block with its cousins. Though Ford has not revealed details of the Figo’s powertrains, the 1.2 is expected to develop maximum power between 70bhp and 75bhp.

These figures may not seem impressive amidst other high-revving 1.2 petrol motors but Ford’s emphasis is on drivability and economy. Ford insiders claim that the petrol version will surprise owners with its low-end torque and responsive nature.

Final verdict

Ford is pitching the Figo to Indian consumers from the plank of affordability. So it has to be cheap to buy and cheap to run. Prices will only be announced next year before the car goes on sale but company sources indicate that Ford is planning to launch the Figo at a competent price. Ford has targeted the base Hyundai i10 as its price benchmark, which equates to Rs 3.6 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The 1.4 diesel Figo is aimed at the Indica Vista diesel and can be expected to retail at around Rs 4.6 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

As of now, this means exceptional value for such a large and stylish hatchback, which definitely belongs to the premium end of the hatchback market. Ford is looking at shaking up the market, and its ‘more-for-less’ strategy could be just right.

Spec check
Ford Figo

Expected in: March 2010

Price: From Rs 3.6 lakh (est), ex-showroom, Delhi

Engine types: 1.2 petrol and 1.4 diesel

Suspension (F/R): Macpherson struts/ twist beam axle

Maximum power (petrol): 70bhp — 75bhp (est)

The Personal Telegraph