Test Drive and Review of Ford Figo Facelift

Since its launch two years ago, Ford’s hatchback, the Figo, has had a great run & there’s no doubting that it has been the carmaker’s most successful car in India till date. However, considering the ever increasing competition in this segment and, in an attempt to better tackle rivals like the Maruti Swift & the Toyota Liva, Ford has launched an updated version of the Figo.

The updated car comes with a number of revisions to the exterior, including redesigned head  & tail lamps, a new hexagonal grille, revised fog lamp housings & eight spoke alloy wheels. Two new colours also make their debut – bright yellow & kinetic blue.

On the inside, Ford claims that additional damping has made the cabin a quieter place to be in, & there is also the inclusion of audio controls mounted on the steering column, which, while convenient, are fiddly to use & we would have preferred conventional steering mounted audio controls. Also new is the blue seat fabric, along with a ‘Riviera Blue’ instrument panel colour.

While the Figo’s engine line up remains the same with a 1.4 litre Duratorq diesel & a 1.2 litre Duratec petrol, the manufacturer has tweaked the calibration to make the low & mid range even more responsive than it already was. & considering the current Figo is already quite a competent tool in city conditions, the improved calibration will only step things up a notch.

The new Figo comes at a marginal premium of Rs 3000 – Rs 5000 across the range, with the base 1.2 petrol retailing at Rs 3.85 lakh & going up to Rs 6 lakh for the top spec Titanium diesel variant, making it good value for money. But while the facelift does give the Figo a host of revisions that make it much more competent, we can’t help but feel that Ford may have missed a trick by not having power windows at the rear – a gripe that is sure to put some potential customers off.


Fact File
Engine
Fuel Petrol / Diesel
Installation Front, Transverse
Type 1196cc / 1399cc
Bore/stroke 70.6/76.5mm, 73/82mm
Power 70bhp @ 6250rpm / 68bhp @ 4000rpm
Torque 10.4kgm @ 4000rpm / 16.3kgm @ 2000rpm
Transmission
Type Front wheel drive
Gearbox 5 speed manual
Dimensions
Length 3795mm
Width 1680mm
Height 1427mm
Wheel base 2489mm
Chassis & Body
Construction Monocoque, five door hatchback
Weight 1090kg / 1130kg
Wheels 14inch
Tyres 175/65 R14, tubeless
Spare Full size
Suspension
Front Independent, MacPherson struts
Rear Non independent, twist beam, coil spring
Steering
Type Rack & pinion
Type of power assist Hydraulic
Brakes
Front 260mm ventilated discs
Rear 203mm drums
Anti lock Yes

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