Ford to launch three new cars in 2015

With the launch of the facelifted Fiesta this month, Ford will be done introducing new models. But, only for 2014. Come 2015 and it will go on a product offensive with a new small car, a new compact sedan and a new SUV.

The small car will be the new generation of Ford’s popular model, the Figo. It will have sharper styling, more contemporary interiors and more equipment as well. Ford is also working hard towards improving the look and feel of the interiors of its cars, and the same will apply to the new Figo too. Class-leading space, practicality and driving dynamics will continue to be the new Ford Figo’s hallmarks. The big news is, Ford, which is chasing better fuel efficiency across all its models and engines, will launch the Figo with its 1-litre EcoBoost engine. The same engine already powers the EcoSport. But, unlike the EcoSport which develops 125PS of max power, the Figo will be tuned more for fuel efficiency and is expected to push out around 100PS, which for an affordable hatchback, isn’t bad at all.

Ford’s all new car will be the Figo sedan, the concept version of which was showcased during the Auto Expo. It is similar to the Ka+ that has recently been unveiled in Brazil, but unlike the latter which is over 4 metres in length, the Figo sedan in India will be a compact sedan; meaning it will be under 4 metres in length and will be eligible for excise duty benefits. The Figo sedan besides being one of the best looking cars in its class which includes the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire, the Honda Amaze and the Hyundai Xcent, will also be one of the more spacious ones. Driving dynamics – handling, steering feel and braking – are supposed to be best in class too. And, like the Figo hatchback, the sedan too will get the 1-litre EcoBoost engine in the same sate of tune as the hatchback. It will also come with a diesel engine, borrowed from the new Fiesta, which has been tweaked to deliver better fuel efficiency than before.

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And finally, there will be a full sized, seven seater SUV. The new SUV which has been built from the ground up will replace the aging Endeavour. Ford is clear that it doesn’t want any of the negatives of the Endeavour to plague the new SUV and therefore, it will offer more usable space – even for the third row of seats – better braking and handling, and more upmarket, better finished interiors. The Endeavour replacement will come with a diesel engine and a five speed manual gearbox to begin with and is expected to undercut the Toyota Fortuner in terms of pricing.

All three new cars will also come equipped with Ford’s new SYNC multimedia interface. It will get AppLink as well. AppLink comes with preinstalled apps like Explore from MapMyIndia that allow the car occupants to look for desired restaurants, hotels and even fuel pumps. Currently Ford only has two India-specific apps for AppLink, but by the time the three new cars are launched next year, Ford says there will be enough and more to give consumers a unique ownership experience.