2018 Ford Aspire Facelift To Launch On 4 October

The sub-4m sedan will get some cosmetic updates and a new petrol engine

Soon after launching the 2018 Aspire facelift in countries like South Africa and Brazil, Ford has confirmed that the updated sub-4m sedan will make its India debut on 4 October 2018. Although the sedan version of the Figo in other markets is longer than the sub-4m version offered in India, they’re are more or less identical in terms of styling.

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So, let’s take look at the what to expect from the 2018 Aspire facelift:

• Like the refreshed Figo, which was revealed in Europe in Feb 2018, the 2018 Aspire facelift will get Freestyle-like bumper, albeit with chrome inserts

• The new grille will feature horizontal chrome slats like the outgoing model; however, the extremities of the slats might be chunkier now
• The headlamps will be the same as the pre-facelift Aspire/Figo, but will get new detailing, as seen on the Freestyle

• The Aspire facelift will get a new set of multi-spoke alloy wheels which were seen in one of the spied models. These new alloys are expected to be 15-inch in size, bigger than the 14-inch ones on offer on the pre-facelift model. We expect the tyres to be wider too, at 195/55 cross-section, like the Freestyle

• The rear bumper will be done in dual-tone theme and will have chrome applique at the bottom. The tail lamps seem identical in shape, but get different internal detailing

• The dashboard will be shared with the Freestyle and is expected to feature a 6.5-inch SYNC3 system, at least in the top-spec Titanium+ variant. The rest of the variants,  except the base Ambient, might also feature a touchscreen. The SYNC3 unit will get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, like on the Freestyle
• While the Brazil-spec model gets an all-black interior colour combination, the India-spec model would get a dual-tone black and beige theme, as before. Expect Ford to retain the leather upholstery in the top-spec Titanium+ variants
• Expect additional features like cruise control, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers on the updated Aspire in India

In terms of safety, the 2018 Aspire facelift is expected to get dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, Isofix child seat anchors and rear parking sensors as standard. However, in the higher-spec variants, the sub-4m sedan is likely to get side and curtain airbags, ESP (electronic stability program), hill launch assist and traction control, like the Freestyle. The pre-facelift model was also equipped with these features but they were limited to the 1.5-litre petrol variant only, which was available with a 6-speed dual-clutch AT.

The Ford Aspire facelift will be powered by same 1.2-litre Ti-VCT petrol engine (96PS/120Nm) that powers the Freestyle. This engine will replace the current 1.2-litre unit that develops 88PS of maximum power. The new petrol engine will be paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.

The diesel engine will be the same 1.5-litre (100PS/215Nm) unit that that’s available now. It comes paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.

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What remains to be seen is whether the Aspire will get the new 1.5-litre, 3-cyl petrol engine with a 6-speed torque converter automatic (the one on the EcoSport) or will Ford offer the automatic ‘box with the 1.2-litre engine.

As far as the prices are concerned, the Aspire facelift is expected to be priced at par with the outgoing model, prices for which start from Rs 5.81 lakh and go up to Rs 8.78 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). It will continue to rival the likes of the Maruti Dzire, Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent and the Volkswagen Ameo.

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