When Ford announced its wish to enter the compact class of sedans in India, not many were excited as Ford India was not known to create a stir in any class of cars sold in India. Except for the EcoSport which was a runaway success, all other cars often received luke warm response which include the Figo, Fiesta and Endeavour.
But then things changed when the Aspire was revealed for the first time in the form of a concept. It had a design of new age Ford cars and was filled with features which was otherwise limited to a select few. It is also the first Ford car to be rolled out from the brand new facility in Sanand. Ford launched the Aspire at an extremely impressive price of Rs 4.89 lakhs. Available in petrol and diesel in 8 variants, it also gets an optional automatic variant. We take a look at the different aspects of this aspirational offering.
It doesn’t look compromisingly small as the design engineers have made sure the exterior of Aspire looks as promising as the interiors. With an intention of making the smartest looking compact sedan, it boasts of design cues from Aston Martin especially with its brand new trapezoidal grille. The large sweepback headlamps lend in a fresh appeal complimented by standard shaped circular fog lamps. The less complicated and simple side profile makes the length look clean and simple. To the rear it again gets clean lines with bare minimum detailing.
Inside the Aspire, it gets two tone trims with a grand list of features. While the entire arrangement looks similar to that of Ford EcoSport, there are subtle changes inside the cabin like the instrumental cluster has been kept simple and lucid. The central infotainment screen shows basic options pertaining to connectivity, entertainment and telephony. The roominess of cabin is helpful for occupants on long journeys. It also packs in strong safety features like six airbags, emergency assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
Also, the engine options that the Ford Aspire offers are remarkable. The 1.5 TDCi diesel motor makes 99 bhp of power and 215 Nm of torque. This engine is more for the ones who seek a commuter performance on highways. While the city centric audience can make use of 1.2 TiVCT variant, this makes 87 bhp of power and 112 Nm of torque. The optional automatic transmission is offered with a 1.5 TiVCT petrol engine which produces 111 bhp of power and 136 Nm of torque. The petrol variant delivers an efficiency of 18.16 kmpl while the diesel offers 25.83 kmpl.
The ride and handling of Aspire is better than its closest rivals and especially a lot better than the Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire. With the above list of features and performance options, it indeed sounds the best value for money deal in the compact sedan market in India. Overall, the Aspire is suitable for those who want the benefits of a compact sedan without compromising on safety and efficiency.
