2015 Ford Figo Hatchback & Compact Sedan – Launch Time Frame & Other Details Revealed

The current Ford Figo hatchback has reached the end of its life cycle. A replacement is in the works. Likewise, Ford will also replace the Classic entry-level C-Segment sedan in India, with a brand new compact sedan that will measure under four meters in length. Both cars will be produced at Sanand, a spanking new car and engine manufacturing facility that Ford has set up in India’s Western state of Gujarat. Initially, this facility will have a yearly capacity of 240,000 cars and 270,000 engines. We now have information emerging about when the American automaker plans to launch both cars here.

The compact sedan will debut first, with a July launch time frame on the cards. The hatchback variant of the 2015 Figo is expected to follow soon after, in September. In design terms, both cars use completely revised top hats with styling that’s much more contemporary than the models they replace. The interiors are all-new too, with new features to accompany. Both cars will feature petrol and turbo diesel engines, mated to manual transmissions. India will serve as a global production base for both cars, and the hatchback variant is expected to see big exports to over 50 countries around the world.

The petrol variants of the Figo hatchback will use the non-turbo version of the 1 liter-3 cylinder EcoBoost motor, with 80 Bhp-110 Nm outputs, while the compact sedan is expected to feature the 1.5 liter-4 cylinder Ti-VCT engine (108 Bhp-145 Nm) in addition to the smaller motor for high performance variants. The diesel engine will be a detuned version of the 1.5 liter-4 cylinder TDCI unit with 75 Bhp-190 Nm outputs. Five speed manual transmissions will be standard on all engines. It remains to be seen if Ford India offers an automatic gearbox on the Figo twins considering how the demand for such cars has increased over the last couple of years.

Ford’s other big launch in India this year is that of the all-new 2015 Endeavour SUV

The new Figo twins have large shoes to fill. The outgoing Figo hatchback and the Classic sedan have always been known for their excellent driving dynamics. Apart from a terrific ride and handling package, the pure hydraulic steering on both cars was known for the great feel it offered. Buyers who love driving would expect the new cars to match or better the ones they replace in terms of driving dynamics. With an electric power steering becoming standard in the new cars, it remains to be seen whether the Figo twins manage to meet or surpass the high standards set by their predecessors.

Via BusinessStandard