Ford India – New Offers on Fiesta

Ford Motor Company the world's second largest automaker is proud to say functioning with approximately 350 , 000 employees and operating in more than 200 markets on six continents. In a move to widen its customer base in the country , Ford India Ltd today announced an exclusive limited period offer on its entire model range for its flagship brand Ford Fiesta.

Car luster’s can now benefit exceptional price discounts across Fiesta's diesel and petrol line-up , with discount up to Rs91 , 000 on the EXI petrol variant. This special and limited period offer is being rolled out across participating Ford dealerships in the country and will be valid for 10 days. The offer states that , Ford Fiesta will be available at a starting price of Rs5.29 lakhs , down from Rs6.20 lakhs for the petrol variants and Rs6.59 lakhs as against Rs7.10 lakhs for the diesel variants.

Mr. Nigel Wark Executive Director of Marketing and Sales , Ford India said , ''At Ford , we strive to provide our customers well designed vehicles with class leading drivability at affordable prices. We believe now , more than ever , is the time to live up to that promise to boast consumer confidence by moving value for money proposition several notches higher , '' ''This unique offer is our way of responding to consumer sentiments in current market climate and we would like to offer them a strong reason to invest their money for true value. We hope many of them will avail this one time opportunity , '' Wark added.

The New Ford Fiesta 1.6 S is a sporty variant that has been developed for Indian consumers who prefer a sports car look. Its model range includes three petrol variants – 1.6 EXI , 1.6 ZXI and 1.6 SXI – and three common-rails , turbo diesel variants – 1.4 EXI , 1.4 ZXI and 1.4 SXI. The Fiesta 1.6 S , adjudged the 'Best Driver's Car in its class' especially designed for the discerning car owner and had received several rave reviews in the mid size segment.



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Made For India" Ford Figo

Overview - "Made For India" Ford Figo Is Here

Ford has unveiled its new small car Figo today in New Delhi with Alan Roger Mulally, Ford's president and chief executive, making a lightening visit to the country for the unveiling. It is expected that "Figo" will be priced in the range of 3.5-5 lakh rupees and will compete with the likes of Maruti Ritz, Hyundai i20, Honda Jazz & Skoda Fabia.

The Ford Figo, a new nameplate and a fresh face on the Indian market, signals Ford's intention to compete in India's largest and most important small car market segment. Ford Figo is the result of a significant Ford investment commitment to expand its plant near Chennai for volume production as a small-car centre of excellence regionally.

Ford's $500 million investment has doubled the plant's production capacity to 200,000 units per year and introduces major advances in high-quality automation and innovative, eco-friendly production techniques. Ford Figo is designed and engineered to compete in India's small car segment, which accounts for more than 70 percent of the new vehicle market. It leverages Ford's small-car platform architecture, sharing underlying technology with the Ford Fiesta, already familiar to Indian drivers.

Design & Style

Design-conscious Italy inspired the new Ford Figo's name is colloquial Italian for "cool." From the front it is typical ford design - like we have seen in Ford Fiesta and Ikon in India - A big front airdam below the grille which gives Figo a very distinct & aggresive look. At the rear it resembles "Fusion" alot with high mounted vertical tail lamps in D-pillar. Ford Figo features a fresh, contemporary shape that will be a distinctive alternative to traditional brands in this segment. The design language conveys a dynamic spirit of energy in motion.

Quality, substance and generous proportions are clearly evident in the design of the new Ford Figo, which features a solid stance, an invitingly large interior and a vibrant, youthful character. Its package is right-sized for the market, which is predominated by congested urban driving conditions.

From its modern headlamps, grille shapes and sculpted bonnet of its distinctive face to the subtle integrated spoiler and chamfered window shape at the rear, Ford Figo is filled with kinetic design touches. These also include sculpted shapes to the body side - chiseled front fenders, a "comet tail" undercut in the doors and additional light-catching sculpting in the lower bodyside - which combine to communicate the solidity, substance and protective safety of its design.

The bold graphic of Ford Figo's large side window shape is another key kinetic design feature hinting at the comfort and spaciousness awaiting occupants' front and rear. The side window graphic is executed with a blacked-out B-pillar, an elegant design touch that unifies the side windows into one shape visually.

With its wheels positioned at the four corners of the vehicle with minimal overhang, Ford Figo's bold wheel arches self-assuredly signal its agility and solidity. All in all Figo looks very muscular and much better that Honda Jazz, Skoda Fabia and Maruti Ritz. But Hyundai i20 still leads the B+ hatchback segment due to its awesome styling, three engine options, spacious interiors and loads of features to play ith which makes it a value for money deal. Let's see if Ford India manages to replace the segment leader with all new Figo.

Interiors & Comfort

It is expected that Figo will get a completely fresh interior package which means a brand new instrument panel, seats and trim. According to Ford insiders, the interiors are expected to set new standards for small hatchbacks combining class-leading aesthetics and functionality.

Built on the same 2486mm wheelbase as the Indian Fiesta and Ikon, the Figo is expected to have a similar amount of passenger space as its saloon siblings. Ford's Fusion has never been able to sell in good numbers even it was available in diesel. Ford bets very high with Figo and want to change the complete scenario in luxury small car market.

Engine Options & Expected Price Of Figo

New Ford Figo will initially be launched with 2 engine options - DuraTec Petrol and DuraTorq Diesel. The diesel engine will be the same .4 Duratorq 68bhp motor that powers the Ikon & Fiesta saloons. The Duratorq motor is incredibly responsive at low speeds and hugely economical too which should suit the urban driving conditions the Figo will mostly cater to.

The petrol engine will be all new all-aluminium 1.2-litre petrol motor which is essentially a scaled-down version of Sigma petrol engines that power the Fiesta saloon. Belonging to the same engine family, it shares common architecture like double overhead cams, four valves per cylinder an aluminium block and is expected to develop max power between 70 and 75bhp.

The Figo petrol is expected to be priced around 3.5-3.75 lakhs and Figo Diesel will retail around 4.20-5.0 lakhs. New Volkswagen Polo is also expected to be priced under 5 lakhs which means competeition is going to heat up early next year with Maruti Ritz, Hyundai i20, Skoda Fabia and Honda Jazz in B+ hatchback market in India.

New Ford Regional Production Centre For "Figo"

The introduction of the new Ford Figo marks a significant shift for India's role in Ford's strategy. Transformed with a production capacity of 200,000 units, the integrated Chennai manufacturing facility is now positioned as a Ford regional centre of excellence for small-car engineering and production. Ford Figo models will be produced at the plant for export to international markets. The plant is also being groomed to produce diesel and petrol engines for local vehicle production and export within Ford's Asia Pacific and Africa region.

With more automation and high-tech new facilities, the new site reflects the latest Ford manufacturing processes globally and pioneers new technologies for Ford and India. Created with a "best of the best" approach, it has been benchmarked against other competitive facilities globally, as well as the current volume manufacturers in the Indian market, for quality and production efficiency.

The transformed plant introduces eco-friendly production techniques like its new Three-Wet High-Solids paint process. This approach produces beautifully painted vehicles with three wet coats - primer, base coat and clear coat - of high solids-content paint applied one after the other without oven curing between coats. A first for India, it produces fewer carbon dioxide emissions and reduces volatile organic compounds emissions by about 20 percent compared to current medium-solids solvent-borne paints. Use of high-solids content results in a paint finish with high levels of gloss and depth of colour which is more resistant to scratches and stone chips.

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New Focus on horizon

Meet the most desirable family car ever! This striking machine is about to rewrite the hatchback rulebook, with a stunning combination of head-turning looks, driver appeal and up-to-the-minute technology. Say hello to Ford’s next-generation Focus.

Set to go on sale in 2010, the third generation of the family car will take the company’s brand values to the next level. It gets a dramatic new look that’s backed up by a range of hi-tech small- capacity turbocharged engines.

Ford gave the strongest hint of how its upcoming models will look when it revealed the Iosis Max at the Geneva Motor Show last month (see Issue 1,053). And it’s from this car that the new Focus takes much of its styling inspiration.

The hatch gets a sleek new front end, with a large lower grille and elongated headlights. Bold lines run from the edges of the grille to the A-pillars.

At the rear, there are further nods to the Iosis MAX, with a high tail, angular C-pillars and eye-catching lights. Chunky wheelarches and short
overhangs finish the look and give the newcomer a muscular stance. According to insiders, a panoramic glass roof will also be available. Inside, expect a toned-down version of the concept’s striking cabin, with a new centre console boasting an improved version of Ford’s Human Machine Interface control system. Options will include a reversing camera.

Under the skin is a fresh development of the current car’s chassis, so it’s unlikely the new model will grow much in size. Emphasis will be put on ride and refinement, without sacrificing the sharp steering and driver appeal for which the Focus has become famous.

New turbocharged EcoBoost engines dominate the line-up. Entry-level models will come with a 1.0-litre four-cylinder turbo unit offering 89bhp or 108bhp, but most variants will get a new 1.6-litre turbo, available with 148bhp or 178bhp outputs.

These units will combine storming pace with low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions to give buyers the best of both worlds. There is also a new range of diesels in the shape of a 1.6 TDCi, delivering up to 128bhp, and a flagship 2.0-litre with 168bhp or 197bhp.

All engines are mated to manual boxes as standard, but Ford will also offer its Powershift twin-clutch transmission. Start-stop technology is set to be rolled out across the range, too.

We reported in Issue 1,054 that Ford bosses were debating when to launch the car. Sources have revealed that it looks as though the Focus and C-MAX compact MPV will be launched simultaneously in 2010.

The models have been developed alongside each other and could be global cars – ie sold in all Ford /markets across the world. They would follow in the footsteps of the latest Fiesta, which goes on sale in China later this year, and in the US in 2010.

The Focus will be built at Ford’s plant in Saarlouis, Germany, while the C-MAX, which is to appear as a seven-seater for the first time, will be assembled at Valencia in Spain.


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Ford Capri coming at last

The Capri is back – as a hatch! These are the best pictures yet of the compact family car that looks set to be the must-have model of 2010 – it’s a new three- door version of the Ford Focus. Just as Volkswagen has done with the stunning Scirocco, Ford is seeking to reinvent one of its most famous sports cars. And it’s this dramatic evolution of the next Focus that will do it.

Boasting a stylish but practical body, it will target the Scirocco and the Renault Mégane Coupé, providing a glamorous sister car to the standard five-door hatch – revealed in Issue 1,057. Appealing to young, style-conscious buyers, the new Coupé should be a big hit.

As you can see from our exclusive pictures, it takes some inspiration from the Iosis Max concept, revealed at March’s Geneva Motor Show.

That car debuted the new family ‘face’ of not only the new Focus, but the next-generation C-MAX, too. However, the three-door model evolves this with sleeker, sportier LED headlights and a deeper, more aggressive set of lower air intakes.

The key design cues, though, are the rakish windscreen, low roofline and high waistline, which meet to give a heavily chopped appearance at the back. It’s reminiscent of the Scirocco, but is arguably more daring and head-turning. A neat diffuser-style lower bumper, roof spoiler and gorgeous LED tail-lights complete the rear. Add in short overhangs and large alloy wheels, and the model looks every inch the
chic compact sports car.

And because that roofline doesn’t slope down too steeply, the Coupé will be practical, too, with plenty of headroom for rear passengers and a decent sized boot. Options such as a panoramic glass roof, to further increase the feeling of light and space inside, are anticipated.

In the front, a similar cabin to the five-door is expected, with a new centre console offering an improved version of Ford’s Human Machine Interface system. The finish will have a premium feel, with options including a reversing camera.

To match its storming looks, the car will be fitted with a class-leading chassis. And this promises even more agility and grip than the five-door, without sacrificing ride comfort or refinement.

There’ll be even more reason to smile when buyers see the engine range. New turbocharged EcoBoost powerplants will be available, with most cars getting a 1.6-litre petrol, producing 148bhp or 178bhp.

A new 1.6 TDCi diesel will also debut, giving up to 128bhp, alongside a flagship 2.0-litre with 168bhp or 197bhp. All these units will combine pace with superb fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. And helping the Focus Coupé to be even more efficient will be the option of a Powershift twin-clutch gearbox. This will be offered in addition to a standard-fit manual transmission. Stop-start technology is also expected to be rolled out across the line-up.

Of course, there will be a high-performance range-topper, but it’s unlikely to be powered by the much-loved 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine from the Focus ST and RS. This is deemed too thirsty, and will be replaced by a 2.0-litre, 200bhp EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo.

The new Focus range debuts alongside the C-MAX MPV at a major motor show next year.



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Ford Transit Minibus gets All-Wheel Drive Option

Ford's British division has added an all all-wheel drive option to its 15-seater Transit minibus. The AWD system, which automatically provides torque flow to the front wheels when traction loss at the rear is detected, costs an additional £3,995 and is available with the 140-horsepower 2.4-litre 140PS Duratorq TDCi diesel engine equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. The price

According to the company, compared with the standard rear-wheel-drive Transit minibus, the additional front axle weight is 70kg or 154 lbs while the rear axle weight is 10kg or 22 lbs heavier on the AWD model.
"We've had tremendous interest in AWD from construction, roadside assistance and utility companies," said Ford of Britain, commercial vehicles director, Steve Kimber On top of that we know that taxi companies and schools may also benefit from extra traction in many every-day situations.

Ford Transit Minibus


Ford Transit Minibus


Ford Transit Minibus


Ford Transit Minibus


Ford Transit Minibus

Ford's Seven-Seater MPV to be Named Grand C-MAX

It appears that Ford's marketing team took a liking to the naming system used by their French colleagues at Renault on the longer versions of the Scenic and Espace MPVs as according to Carscoop sources, the seven-seater version of the all-new C-MAX will employ the 'Grand' moniker. While Ford has already published the first photos of the five-seater C-MAX, we'll have to wait a few more days for the Grand C-MAX that's also planned to make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

In addition to being longer than the five-seat model, the Grand C-MAX also makes use of a pair of sliding doors at the rear to provide easier access to the two last rows of seats that can accommodate three and two passengers respectively.

The Grand C-MAX will be available with the same diesel and gasoline engine range with its five-seater sibling including Ford's brand-new 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection EcoBoost unit.

2010 Ford Grand C-MAX Spy Shots

Ford C-Max 2.0 TDCi Titanium CAR review

Ford’s C-Max has always looked a little dowdy and functional when compared to its sister S-Max. The latter has shrugged off its size with sharp angles and a car-like drive, and shot off forecourts as a result.

Thankfully Ford has now turned its attention to the baby family carrier, finally giving the C-Max a splash of kinetic design to bring it in line with prettier rivals like Citroen’s C4 Picasso.
So what’s changed with the Ford C-Max facelift?

On the face of it, not much. The C-Max is still a compact, van-like shape but a few subtle alterations have made it just that bit sharper and more interesting to look at.

The biggest exterior changes are found up front. Ford has adorned the C-Max with its new trapezoidal family grille and reshaped the headlights and foglights to give it a bit more S-Max style and presence.

Opt for bi-xenon headlights and the sidelights form a strip which follows the leading edge of the bonnet, looking a little like angry eyebrows when they’re switched on.

Around the back, redesigned rear light clusters feature a strip of LEDs, encased in clear plastic. Overall it looks more aggressive. Perfect for the stressed-out parent late for the school run.

Interior quality has taken a few steps forward but still trails behind the Mondeo, with a few visible moulding lines spoiling the otherwise robust feel. But it’s well laid out and feels tough enough to survive family life.

Ford Ka 1.3 TDCi (2009) CAR review

Ford’s just launched a diesel version of the new Ka. And why not? All the hardware was there for the taking because the Ka is based on the Fiat Panda/500 platform, so that’s where the engines come from too.

This one’s a 1.3-litre common-rail turbodiesel with 74bhp, so it’s 7bhp up on the Fiesta’s PSA-sourced 1.4. The question is, will anyone buy it?

Are you saying the new Ford Ka diesel's no good then?

Far from it – just looking at numbers really. Ford plans to sell 19,000 Kas in the UK this year; it’s the leader in a growing segment, and 48% of buyers opt for top Zetec spec. That’s the only trim level you can buy the diesel in, and Ford expects the split to be biased 96% towards the 1.2 petrol. So if you buy the TDCi, you’ll be one of only 365 who do.
Does it deserve to be so rare?

The official figures suggest this 74bhp car matches the 68bhp petrol to 62mph and beats it by 1mph flat out, and it’s about 6% ahead on emissions and a fifth better on fuel efficiency (but remember, diesel fuel costs 12% more at the UK pump). So there’s not a huge amount in it – especially when the diesel costs £686 more than the petrol version to buy in the first place.

But there’s no doubt that, to drive, this is a much better car than the petrol Ka. The diesel’s a punchy, free-revving engine that even manages to sound enthusiastic – once you’ve got past some low-speed whine and clatter, anyway. Its urge suits the perky character of the Ka and makes you feel very confident about nipping in and out of tight spaces in traffic. By comparison, the petrol version feels rather uncouth – its engine is surprisingly loud (much louder than it is in the 500) and needs to be revved harder to keep up.
Any sign of Ford’s handling magic?

A bit. Truth be told, it’d be a much better car if it shared bits of the Fiesta platform rather than being a revised Fiat. It’s said to be 70% stiffer in roll than the Panda and it certainly feels more sophisticated than the 500. There’s an anti-roll bar for the rear torsion-beam axle, the springing feels more pliant, the ride is far better damped and there’s less crashiness from the front suspension – though it’s not entirely eliminated.

There’s more resistance and liveliness to the steering too, and you can have some fun on twisting country lanes.

2008 Ford Falcon XT Wagon Review

Is this beast of burden a dying breed?

Model Tested:

• 2008 Ford BF MkIII Falcon XT Wagon 4.0-litre, six- cylinder auto – $37,720 (RRP)

Options:

• Metallic Paint $400 (Fitted); Side Airbags $300 (Fitted); Six CD Player $700 (Fitted); Rear Power Windows $470 (Fitted); Rear Parking Sensors $515; Heavy Duty Suspension $350; Limited Slip Differential $400; 16″ Alloy Wheels $500 (Fitted); Cargo Blind $150 (Fitted); Roof Rails $210 (Fitted); Power Adjusting Pedals $250; Dedicated LPG (E-Gas) $1400

Power, Practicality, Payload, High Beam
Dated Looks, Handling, Four-Speed Auto

CarAdvice Rating:

- by Matt Brogan

In what has essentially become a one horse race, Falcon is now the only remaining ‘big six’ rear-drive wagon available on the Australian market. Sure Holden has the sexy new Sportswagon, but with diminished cargo area and load capacity (due to its sedan origins) it’s better suited to family buyers leaving the heavy hauling, beast of burden, Falcon out on its lonesome.

This isn’t a bad thing, in fact for Ford it’s pretty much a coup d’état with fleet and business buyers now presented with very little choice in matching size, payload, price and running costs anywhere else in the market place.

Not yet updated to the ‘kinetic’ FG shape, this third series Falcon wagon is the final refinement of the BF model and as such has received only minor cosmetic and mechanical improvements over the predecessor which include ESP (available on petrol models only), Flip Key, Satin Alloy Accents on the front grille surround, ‘Warm Charcoal’ carpet, Goodyear Eagle Excellence tyres and Mk III badging.

Available in five-seat XT specification only, the wagon is offered exclusively with a 4.0-litre, six-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission combo, albeit in petrol or dedicated E-Gas (LPG) guise.

Delivering 190kW at 5250rpm and 383Nm from just 2500rpm (156kW/370Nm for E-Gas) the in-line 4.0-litre six certainly has the might to lug its fair share of kit and with an impressive 1254 litre cargo area (to window height – seats up) and a braked towing capacity of up to 2300kg when fitted with a transmission cooler, hauling your gear around couldn’t be easier.

2008 Ford Focus XR5 Turbo Review

Five doors, five seats, five cylinders… perhaps good things come in fives

Model Tested:

• 2008 Ford LV Focus XR5 Turbo 2.5-litre, five-cylinder, six-speed manual – $36,990 (RRP)

Options:

• Metallic Paint $310; Premium Paint $1,800 (Fitted – Electric Orange); Rear Parking Sensors $600; Electric Sunroof $1,900; Overhead Stripes $350; Recaro Sports Leather Trim & Seat Heaters $2000; Mullin’s Motorvatr 18” Alloy Wheels $1064

Balance, Power Delivery, Grippy Handling, Exhaust Note, Price Tag

Panel Lighting, Brake Pedal Position, Road Noise, No Cruise Control

CarAdvice Rating:

- by Matt Brogan

A lot of so called sports cars these days comprise of little more than a badge, a spoiler kit and a set of alloy wheels – an anodyne, half baked attempt at attracting the brain dead if you ask me. But if instead you’re the type whose right foot gets a little itchy at the mere idea of pounding down a twisty country road in a no holds barred bona fide hot hatch, then perhaps you’d better take a look at this.

The face-lifted LV Focus XR5 Turbo, unlike its LT series South African siblings, is a completely German designed and manufactured five-door, five-seater boasting not only the sporty good looks deserved of wearing the XR badge, but a tremendous and dynamic engine and handling package sure to delight the driver in all of us.

From the supportive embrace of the Recaro bucket seats to the passive-aggressive attitude of the restyled (kinetic) front end, the XR5T offers a combination of looks, practicality, performance and price that has lured many an eight-cylinder purist in recent times. Not hard to see then how this little champion has earned an almost cult-like following.

Far from being a bare-bones boy racer though, XR5T includes such modern niceties as a sweet sounding Sony MP3 compatible premium six CD tuner with remote audio controls, a sassy leather bound tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel, multi-function trip computer, sports instrument cluster, power windows with one touch up front, power and heated wing mirrors, air-conditioning, remote control central locking with keyless starter button, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, and height adjustable halogen headlamps.

You also pick up some juicy external appendages with a set of salient 18” alloy wheels (space saver spare), unique twin exhaust outlets, front and rear fog lamps, moulded sill panel skirts, oversized rear spoiler, clear tail light lenses and larger diametre rear discs all adding to XR5T’s already athletic appeal.

But aesthetics aside, a hot hatch needs a pretty big heart to win any respect at all given the amount of competition out there (think VW GTi, Volvo C30-T5, Honda Civic Type R, Mazda MPS3, Subaru WRX, Holden Astra SRi), let alone keep fans coming back for more with every re-incarnation released. XR5T is one such car, and here’s why.

The 2.5-litre, in-line five-cylinder, turbocharged engine is the embodiment of all that’s right in forced induction. Strong, linear boost and flat, early torque delivery make the 166kW, 320Nm, at 6000rpm and 1600rpm respectively, offering a lithesome, overtly usable affair that has an uncanny habit of putting on more pace than you’d at first give heed to.