New Delhi: Ford has launched its new compact sedan, the Figo Aspire in India at Rs 4.89 lakh, ex-Delhi. The Figo Aspire is available in nine variants and with both petrol and diesel engines. The automatic-spec petrol Ford Figo Aspire is available only in the top Titanium trim.
The petrol option has two variants, powered by 1.2 litre and 1.5 litre engines, available at a price range of Rs 4.90 lakh and Rs 7.80 lakh. While, the diesel option has a 1.5 litre engine and is tagged at a price range of Rs 5.90 lakh and Rs 8.24 lakh (all prices ex-showroom Delhi).
Ford first showcased the Aspire compact sedan concept in India at the 2014 Auto Expo. Ford had also opened booking of the Figo Aspire on July 27, 2015 with an amount of Rs 30,000.
The car sits on a modified platform of the existing Figo hatchback and gets uprated engines from other Ford cars in the country. Ford have also shared many parts from its existing lineup.
The 1.5-litre diesel motor is from the Fiesta, however it now has more power (100PS) and torque (215Nm). It is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and Ford claims a fuel efficiency of 25.83kmpl from this engine. There are two petrol motors on offer- a 1.2l TiVCT which now makes 88PS/112Nm and has a fuel economy of 18.16kmpl and a bigger 1.5l TiVCT which produces 112PS/136Nm and lays claim to an efficiency of 17kmpl.
Ford offers the 1.2l engine with a manual and the 1.5l with a PowerShift dual clutch automatic transmission, exclusively respectively.
"The year 2015 is the year of next stage of growth for Ford in India. We plan to launch three new products in next six months starting with the Figo Aspire," Ford India President and Managing Director Nigel Harris told reporters here.
He said the Figo Aspire has been developed keeping the requirements of Indian customers in mind such as good design, high fuel efficiency and value for money while meeting Ford's global standards.
With its pricing, Figo Aspire has started a price war against the likes of Maruti Suzuki's Dzire, Hyundai's Xcent, Honda's Amaze and Tata Motors' Zest which are priced at a range of Rs 5.03 lakh to Rs 8.21 lakh.
The segment is witnessing a fierce competition in the Indian market and accounts for nearly 30,000-35,000 cars each month.
After the Figo Aspire, Harris said Ford India will launch the Figo hatch around the festival season, to be followed by an all new version of SUV Endeavour later in the year or early next year.
With sales of 1.1 million vehicles in 2014, compact cars' share was 45 per cent in India's auto market in 2014. Ford expects the segment to grow to around 1.6 million units by 2018.
The company will also export the Figo Aspire to compete globally. Ford plans to make India an export hub for small cars.
It aims to triple exports from India over the next five years with its new $1 billion plant at Sanand becoming operational.
"Products like Figo Aspire will come out of our Sanand facility not only for the Indian market but also for other global markets. That plant is going to be an export hub," Harris said.
At present, Ford India exports around 60,000 to 70,000 units annually to over 35 global markets from its Chennai- based facility.
With its new Sanand factory getting operational, the company is targeting a total of 50 export markets. Ford India's total installed capacity currently stands at 4.4 lakh vehicles and 6.1 lakh engines per annum from its two plants in Chennai and Sanand in Gujarat.
(With inputs from Overdrive and PTI)
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