Will be manufactured at Ford India's new Sanand facility.
An Indian Autos Blog reader snapped the upcoming new Ford Figo-based compact sedan on test, near Rajasthan. Previewed by the Ford Figo Concept Sedan at the 2014 edition of the Auto Expo, the car will be taking an aim at the popular Maruti Dzire, Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent and the recently launched Tata Zest. A launch is expected in July.
As yet, the name of the car remains unannounced. Reports suggest that it will carry the ‘Figo’ nameplate, but a prefix or suffix is a given to differentiate it from the Figo hatchback.
Power for the hatchback will come from a petrol and diesel engine. The latter is the same 1.5-liter four-cylinder TDCi unit used on the EcoSport and Fiesta. Both engines will be paired to a 5-speed manual transmission.
The new Figo sedan will be the first product to be made at Ford India’s new Sanand facility in Gujarat. In fact, the car’s Gujarat trade-certificate plates indicate that test production could have started. Sources in Ford India tell Indian Autos Blog that full-fledged production is expected to start before the end of the first quarter of this year.
To truly compete with the likes of Honda and Mahindra, Ford really needs volume-boosting products such as the Figo compact sedan. The company also plans on bolstering its premium segment with the new Endeavour, whose launch is reported to take place by the end of this year.
Also read: Not for India 2016 Ford Taurus's interior spied
The Figo compact sedan would replace the Ford Classic (Fiesta Classic) in the Indian market, while the Figo hatchback will replace the Figo.
Competitors: Tata Zest, Maruti Dzire, Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent
Expected Price: INR 4.5-7 lakhs, ex-Showroom
Launch date: Coming months
