Ford Figo concept unveiled in India

Mon, 03 Feb 2014

Ford has officially unveiled the Figo Concept at the 2014 Auto Expo in New Delhi. While it may wear a concept badge, we'd argue this little sedan, which is under 12 feet long, looks ready to replace the current Figo and do battle with other B-segment cars in the world's emerging markets.

"With the Figo Concept, we are showing that choosing a compact sedan does not mean compromising on premium design or smart solutions," said Kumar Galhotra, Ford's VP of engineering, global product development. That premium design includes Ford's familial, trapezoidal grille and Fusion-esque headlights in front, while the rear end reminds us of the last-generation Focus Coupe. While that car wasn't exactly attractive, the chopped off tail looks pretty nice on this smaller car. And if you really don't like the looks of the Figo Concept, just remember - it looks better than the current production model. Aerodynamically, the Figo's shape is quite slippery, which means reduced wind noise and improved fuel economy.

As for the "smart solutions" touted by Galhotra, the narrow confines of Indian streets make driving even the tiniest cars a challenge. To give the Figo Concept a one-up on the competition, Ford has fitted power-folding mirrors that sport a "flexible architecture," which should stand up well to bumps from cars, people or bikes. We don't have any interior images, but Ford is promising a large cabin, that includes a dock that can accommodate a phone or MP3 player, allowing either to be controlled through the car.

There's no mention of which mechanicals power this concept, although we doubt there's a hairy chested V8 under that little bonnet. The current Figo makes use of small diesel and gas-powered engines mated up to a five-speed manual - we'd expect a similar recipe when this concept makes production.

Take a look below for the official press blast from Ford of India, and then scroll up top for a small gallery of images of the new Figo Concept.

FORD REDEFINES EXPECTATIONS FOR B SEGMENT WITH UNVEILING OF FORD FIGO CONCEPT
Ford Figo Concept is Ford's vision for an all-new global compact car, offering advanced technology and clever design to India and other emerging markets

Sub-four-metre design makes the Ford Figo Concept a perfect fit to meet the needs of the competitive B segment in India – while surpassing customer expectations with a host of innovative features

Ford Figo Concept brings a new look and spirit to the important B segment, and offers more quality and technology than customers would ever expect, together with outstanding fuel efficiency and value

Continues Ford's compact-car design leadership in India and emerging export markets, with the goal of meeting surging demand for high-quality, fuel efficient and safe compact vehicles

NEW DELHI, India, February 3, 2014 – Ford today revealed its vision for a global B-segment compact car featuring premium design and segment-redefining smart and safety features ahead of the 12th 2014 Auto Expo in New Delhi.

With the global unveiling of the Ford Figo Concept, Ford aims to set new standards for quality and craftsmanship in the B-segment, aiming to exceed the expectations of consumers in India and other emerging markets. While created for India at less than four metres long, the concept displays a purposeful presence and a no-compromise aesthetic that continues Ford's design leadership in the compact car market globally.

"With the Figo Concept, we are showing that choosing a compact sedan does not mean compromising on premium design or smart solutions," said Kumar Galhotra, vice president of Engineering, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company. "The Figo Concept stands out and surprises, offering a more premium and refined feel than you would expect in such a package."

The Ford Figo Concept builds on the automaker's compact car offerings in India and shows how Ford plans to face rapidly growing global demand for compact vehicles. The compact car segment is India's most competitive, outpacing the industry for the past decade and comprising almost a third of total sales in 2013. Ford expects compact car sales in India to grow from about 1 million units last year to roughly 2 million units in 2018, reflecting the continuing significance of the segment to Indian consumers.

Despite its rapid growth, the compact car segment will remain highly competitive as increasingly savvy buyers look for ways to make their money go further.

"Consumers are more demanding than ever, wanting and expecting more from their cars, even if they are first time buyers," said Ford India President Nigel Harris. "They expect and demand great fuel efficiency and low cost-of-ownership from the initial price throughout the life of the vehicle. The Ford Figo Concept offers all of this, and more, with sophistication, fresh design, world-class quality, a roomy interior, and innovative smart and safe technology."

With the goal of bringing unexpected levels of refinement to the compact car segment, designers created the Ford Figo Concept using design elements common to more expensive vehicles.

The front trapezoidal grille strongly communicates Ford's design DNA and shapes the vehicle's hood, giving it a powerful look. Moving rearward, designers inclined the windshield as much as possible to give the vehicle a sleek, fast profile that communicates a high-end image. Bold, elongated and blacked-out headlamps accentuate the Figo Concept's sporty appearance. In an example of the close attention designers paid to the smallest detail, a slight grain in the headlamp plastic enhances the parabolic shape inside. Sweeping, curved lines moving from the front to the rear of the vehicle create a sense of movement. Designers used light-catchers along the sides of the vehicle, giving the Figo Concept a robust and muscular presence.

"The Figo Concept represents our vision of a refined, no-compromise approach to designing a compact car," said Ehab Kaoud, chief designer, Ford North America, who led design for the Ford Figo Concept. "So often in this segment you see designs based on current trends and fashions that quickly look dated. We wanted instead to create a premium, long-lasting design that is clean and elegant, and which conveys a sense of precision, efficiency and sophistication."

The shape of the Ford Figo Concept is more than a design exercise: It was fine-tuned through hundreds of hours of wind-tunnel testing to improve aerodynamics and reduce wind noise, ensuring a quiet ride that will match the vehicle's refined exterior. Aerodynamic tweaking has also resulted in a shape that maximises fuel efficiency, helping the Ford Figo Concept to slip smoothly through the air.

Smart design features like electrically adjustable power-fold mirrors are practical, helping to remove the stress of driving through a busy and congested environment. The mirrors' flexible architecture prevents them from being broken off if bumped by another car or motorbike. And Ford designed the Ford Figo Concept to feature unprecedented levels of safety for its class, further enhancing the driver's peace of mind.

Moving inside a spacious cabin filled with innovative stowage spaces, the Ford Figo Concept delivers surprising features that bring the promise of tomorrow's technologies to drivers of compact vehicles. With an innovative device dock, the Figo Concept introduces a new way to store, mount and charge devices such as mobile phones, MP3 players and satellite navigation systems, seamlessly integrating them into the in-car entertainment system.

"In design, connectivity and safety, the features in the Figo Concept are at the forefront of smart technology," said Galhotra. "The Figo concept was envisioned with the Indian market in mind, and created with global standards of design, quality and performance. It is the perfect symbol of how we continue to build on the One Ford plan to go further for all of our customers."

By Brandon Turkus