Ford Figo Driven

Ford has quite a unique way of working things out in India. Case in point being the new Ford Figo. Now, where launching a compact sedan (or pseudo SUV) based on a hatchback has become quite the norm, Ford seems to have it backwards. A hatchback based on a compact sedan is what the Figo is. It is based on the Figo Aspire’s BA32 platform. And that is a good thing. At 2491mm, it boasts of the longest wheelbase in class. But more on that later.

Let’s talk looks first. The Figo carries over the lines of the Figo Aspire which, in itself is quite a handsome design. The rear has a sloping glass area and that, with the trapezoidal tail lamps make for the bulk of the sporty rear end design. There is a spoiler to add to the sporty appeal. The 14-inch tyres look quite under-tyred for the car though. Ford should provide optional 15-inch rims atleast.

The interiors are carried over from the Figo Aspire while the top end diesel gets the center console from the Ecosport. The trims are a mix and match affair with parts being lifted from the Ford bin. The door handles, for example are from the earlier generation Figo. Overall quality is quite good and I personally liked the fact that it does not carry over the two-tone dash from the Aspire and sticks to a single-tone black theme. Where the Figo scores is the comprehensive list of added features. Ford’s SYNC finds its way into the Figo as does MyDock. The MyKey is a unique feature that lets you lock the speed of your vehicle. It is a sort of parental control feature which works like, if the seatbelt is not fastened, the music player will not play songs.

Three choices of engines are on offer – An 87bhp 1.2-litre and an 110bhp, 1.5-litre engine petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel. While the 1.2 petrol and 1.5 diesels get a 5-speed manual, the 1.5 petrol will come mated to a twin-clutch auto.

We had an opportunity to drive the 1.5 petrol and the 1.5 diesel. The petrol is a refined unit and has spunk at low revs. The power delivery is quite linear and past 4000rpm; there is a noticeable bump in delivery after which it tapers off. The twin clutch gearbox is seamless but the shifts are quite lethargic for a twin clutch transmission. Selecting sports does not help either as it just holds gears. Downchanges at high speeds are quite disconcerting – at high gear at high revs, lift off and it suddenly downshifts leaving the engine screaming at the top of the powerband, The electrically assisted steering is light and has a bit of feel, but if you compare it to the Fiesta or for that matter, even the earlier generation Figo, you will be disappointed. The steering feels flighty at speed and the tyres aren’t confidence inspiring either.

Get into the diesel and you will be surprised at how planted the car feels at speed. The steering too is feelsome here though not as much as the Fiesta. I guess it is down to the weight of the diesel engine that endows it with more front end grip and makes it a hoot to drive. The engine is an eager mill with minimal turbo lag. Get it past 2000rpm and there is nice wave of torque that spreads over the rev band all the way to 4500rpm. This thick powerband makes it quite a highway champion.

What both cars are endowed with is good ride and brakes. The suspension has enough travel to soak up bumps and ridges without compromising on handling. The brakes have good bite and are feelsome thanks to the non-intrusive ABS.

The driving position on all cars is quite sporty and comfortable and the front seats have good under-thigh and lumbar support. We drove the cars down to Agra from Delhi- a distance of 180km and found the seats to be quite accommodating for longer journeys, the rear seat too is quite comfy, and the upright backrest is set just right. The only grouse is the fixed headrests on the rear seats. Adjustable headrests would be nice. Though the rear seat eats into the boot space, Ford has increased the boot space by making it deeper. It can easily accommodate a couple of large soft bags.

Ford claims a fuel efficiency of 18.2kmpl for the 1.2 petrol, 25.8kmpl for the 1.5 diesel and 17kmpl for the 1.5 petrol. The 1.2 petrol and 1.5 diesel are available in 6 trims. The 1.2 petrol is priced at Rs 4.3 lakhs for the base variant going upto Rs 6.4 lakhs for the top-spec one. The 1.5 diesel start at Rs 5.3 lakhs and goes upto Rs 7.4 lakh on the top variant. The 1.5 petrol is available in just one trim priced at Rs 6.9 lakhs, all prices are ex showroom Delhi.

The 1.5 petrol makes for an effortless drive in the city thanks to a responsive engine, but it doesn’t feel as sporty as the competition. In Fact the 1.5 diesel feels sportier. This is mainly due to the sluggish 6-speed twin clutch gearbox that is holding the engine back. A manual option would make a huge difference here. So if you are looking for a sporty hatchback that won’t break the bank both in terms of price and running costs, the 1.5 diesel would make for an enticing option.