The Figo Aspire compact sedan from Ford has been a much awaited vehicle in the Indian market. The upcoming trim was unveiled at the inauguration ceremony of the company's new manufacturing unit at Sanand in Gujarat. First glimpse of the vehicle was seen at the 2014 Delhi Motor Show where it was showcased as the Figo concept. Likely to be launched soon, the Figo Aspire shall compete against the likes of Hyundai Xcent, Honda Amaze, Tata Zest and Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire.
The Figo Aspire compact sedan will be made available with multiple engine and transmission options. This could be a move to target a larger audience. The entry-level model will be powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine, which will get a four-valve head and twin camshafts with variable valve timing. This engine is likely to develop around 70-80bhp of power and 110-120Nm of torque.
The oil burner is the tried & tested 1.5-litre DV5 motor that also powers the EcoSport and Fiesta. But, the engine will be tuned to offer better fuel efficiency. This engine is expected to produce over 90bhp of power and 200Nm of torque. The automatic version of the Aspire compact sedan will get a 1.5-litre petrol engine. This engine is capable of producing 109bhp of power. Power is transmitted to the front wheels of the car via a six-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission. There would be no AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) equipped variant on offer. The 1.5L automatic variant will be costlier than its contemporaries, and will target enthusiasts.
It was rumoured that the Aspire compact sedan will get a 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, but the company has no plans of introducing this variant in the country owing to its high cost. The Figo Aspire is expected to be priced competitive in the market. Confirmed specs shall be known at the time of official announcement being made by the company in this regard.
