Ford India’s new Figo Aspire sub four metre compact car will be exported, the automaker said.
Due on sale later this year, the new model enters India’s highly competitive compact car segment, which made up 45% of the market in 2014. The automaker expects the segment to grow to around 1.6m units in India by 2018, from 1.1m in 2014.
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“The company will also export variants to compete globally,” Ford said in a statement, without elaborating. The current Figo hatchback – based on a previous generation European Fiesta – goes to a number of markets including South Africa.
Features include a device dock to store, mount and charge mobile phones, MP3 players and satellite navigation systems, and to integrate these devices into the car’s entertainment system.
SYNC with AppLink, in-car connectivity is also available and allows drivers to control their phone, entertainment and apps hands-free using voice commands.
Driver and passenger airbags are standard and Ford is claiming a segment first for available side and curtain airbags. In the event of a serious collision, Emergency Assistance uses a Bluetooth-paired phone to automatically call emergency responders and provide information about the vehicle and location.
Engine choices, both locally made in the new engine plant adjacent to the Sanand assembly factory that builds the car are a 1.5 litre TDCi diesel and a 1.2 litre TiVCT petrol unit.
