New Figo Aspire Sedan – Ford Redefines India’s Compace Car Segment

Ford Redefines India’s Compact Car Segment with Smart and Sophisticated New Figo Aspire Sedan

 New Ford Figo Aspire is a stylish, refined and technologically advanced sub-four-meter sedan designed in response to the needs of Indian consumers

 Fresh, modern and sporty design gives the new Figo Aspire a premium feel matched by exceptional craftsmanship and Ford DNA design elements

 Offers a level of technology, safety and efficiency that goes beyond what consumers expect in a compact car

 Manufactured at Ford’s highly automated new integrated manufacturing plant in Sanand, Gujarat

 SANAND, GUJARAT, India, March 26, 2015 – Ford revealed the new Figo Aspire today, setting a new standard for compact cars in India with a sub-four-meter sedan combining premium design, class-leading safety features and advanced technologies.

“With the new Figo Aspire, we are challenging consumers to expect more from their car,” said Mark Fields, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company. “The Ford Figo Aspire demonstrates that a small sedan can boast refined, modern design, exceptional craftsmanship, excellent safety and an outstanding array of smart technologies.”

Due to go on sale later this year, the new Figo Aspire enters India’s highly competitive compact car segment, which made up 45 percent of India’s market in 2014. Ford expects the segment to grow to around 1.6 million units in India by 2018, from 1.1 million in 2014.

The company will also export variants of the Figo Aspire to compete globally.

The new Figo Aspire is designed to turn heads with an elegant, striking design that sets it apart from competitors. Ford’s DNA is instantly recognizable in the trapezoidal grille, which gives the car a substantial presence on the road. Large, elongated headlamps promote a feeling of sportiness, while the raked-back windshield and sweeping lines convey a strong sense of movement. Chrome highlights and technical details in the headlight design add an unmistakably premium touch.

The sophisticated exterior of the Figo Aspire is complemented by a modern interior that delivers an extraordinary experience for a compact car. Intelligent design and careful space management create a surprisingly roomy cabin that places an emphasis on comfort and smart storage spaces.

Exceptional craftsmanship and carefully selected colors and materials, including comfortable leather seats, help to convey a sense of quality, refinement and durability.

“The Figo Aspire was designed to meet the needs of consumers in India and around the world who told us they wanted a sophisticated compact car with a comfortable, flexible and roomy interior, and class-leading smart features – all combined with excellent fuel efficiency and a low cost-of-ownership,” said Nigel Harris, president, Ford India. “The new Ford Figo Aspire delivers all this and more.”

First-in-class technological features like an innovative device dock demonstrate Ford’s understanding of the growing importance of technology in customers’ lives. The dock allows the driver to store, mount and charge mobile phones, MP3 players and satellite navigation systems, and to integrate these devices into the car’s enterta inment system.

Consumers looking for even greater technological integration can choose a Figo Aspire equipped with SYNC with AppLink, Ford’s advanced in-car  connectivity system. SYNC with AppLink allows drivers to control their phone, entertainment and apps hands-free using simple voice commands – helping them to stay connected while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Reflecting the importance of safety to consumers in the compact segment, the new Figo Aspire also offers an unprecedented number of safety features.

A robust passenger cage created from high-strength steel, and driver and passenger airbags help to protect occupants and offer peace of mind. For the first time in a compact car in India, the Figo Aspire also offers side and curtain airbags for an extra level of protection. In the event of a serious collision, Emergency Assistance uses a Bluetooth-paired phone to automatically call emergency responders and provide information about your vehicle and location.

The new Figo Aspire also holds true to Ford’s fun-to-drive spirit with a choice of two responsive and economical engines. Both the 1.5L TDCi diesel engine and the 1.2L TiVCT petrol engine offer a compelling mix of performance, refinement and fuel efficiency.

“With the new Figo Aspire we have created a car that exceeds consumer expectations in almost every way,” said Mark Fields. “It has been built to meet Ford’s high global standards of design, quality and performance, and is a true demonstration of the One Ford Plan in action.”

The Figo Aspire will be built in Sanand, Gujarat at Ford’s newest manufacturing plant.