The model most affected by this price hike is the Ford Endeavour, prices of which have gone up by a massive INR 80,000. The Endeavor is available in four variants - Titanium 4x2, Titanium+ 4x2, Titanium+ 4x4 and Sport 4x4. The price of the base Titanium 4x2 variant remains unchanged. Meanwhile, the price of Titanium+ 4x2 and Titanium+ 4x4 variants have been increased by INR 70,000 each. The top-spec Sport 4x4 sees a price hike of INR 80,000. Prices for the Endeavour currently ranges between INR 29.99 - 36.25 lakh (ex-showroom).

Also Read : Ford Endeavour vs Toyota Fortuner vs MG Gloster - Braking Test

Moving on to Ford's other SUV, the EcoSport, the sub-compact model sees a price hike of INR 20,000 across the range. The Ford EcoSport is available in five trim levels - Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, SE, and S - for both the petrol and diesel versions. Expect for the diesel Titanium variant, prices of all other trims for both petrol and diesel models have been increased by INR 20,000. Prices for the EcoSport currently range between INR 8.19 - 11.69 lakh (ex-showroom).

As for the Ford Figo and Ford Freestyle hatchbacks, both models see a consistent price hike of INR 18,000 across the range. Both the models are powered by a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Petrol variants of the Figo are available in three trims - Ambiente, Titanium and Titanium Blu. Meanwhile, the diesel version comes in tow trims - Titanium and Titanium Blu. Prices for the Figo now range between INR 5.82 - 8.37 lakh (ex-showroom). As for the Freestyle, both petrol and diesel versions of the cross-hatch are available in three trims - Titanium, Titanium+ and Flair. Prices for the Freestyle now range between INR 7.27 - 9.02 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Ford Aspire sub-compact sedan has been least affected by this price hike. Available in two trims across both its petrol and diesel versions - Titanium and Titanium+ - the Aspire sees a price hike of just INR 3,000 across the range.  Prices for the Aspire now range between INR 7.27 - 8.72 lakh (ex-showroom). This is the second price hike that Ford has rolled out on its models this year. With the two increments, Ford cars are now pricier by up to Rs 1.15 lakh.

Stay to tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for the latest Ford updates and other four-wheeler news.

Although the manufacturer hasn't announced the exact extent of the price hike, it will vary from model to model. We believe the price hike could be up to 3% for each model. Ford currently has five models on sale in India - Figo, Aspire, Freestyle, EcoSport and the Endeavor. Just some time ago, Ford already hiked the prices of Aspire, Figo, and Freestyle along with a variant rejig. Here's a detailed look at the current price range of each of these models.

Also Read : Ford Equator Unveiled in China; Bigger Than Endeavour

If you have been eyeing any of the Ford vehicles recently, and do not want to pay a higher price from April 2021, you should go ahead and book your Ford vehicle immediately as the carmaker is offering discounts of up to INR 29,000 on all their models. The offers are valid only till the end of March or till stocks last. The benefits include an exchange bonus of up to INR 20,000 and loyal bonus and corporate discounts of INR 5,000 and INR 4,000 respectively.

In more recent news, Ford recently launched a new SE trim of the EcoSport sub-compact SUV. The biggest talking point about this new trim is its rear tail gate design. The SE trim loses out on the EcoSport's distinctive tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and as such, the entire tail gate is different from the standard model. Incidentally, the new Ford Ecosport SE is actually similar to the version that's sold in international markets like Europe and North America.

Ford has also been prepping a new mid-size SUV for the Indian market that will slot in between the EcoSport and the Endeavor in the carmaker's lineup. This new mid-size SUV was being prepped on the same platform as the upcoming second-gen Mahindra XUV500. However, Ford and Mahindra now having called off their JV, the fate of the Ford mid-size SUV is yet to be decided. Expected to launch sometime in 2022, it will rival the likes of the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV500, and MG Hector Plus.

Stay to tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for the latest Ford updates and other four-wheeler news.

Starting with the Figo, petrol versions of the entry-level hatchback will now be available in three trim levels - Ambiente, Titanium and Titanium Blu - with prices ranging between INR 5.64 lakh to INR 7.09 lakh*. Meanwhile, diesel versions of the Figo will be available in just two trims - Titanium and Titanium Blue. Prices for the diesel variants range between INR 7.74 lakh to INR 8.19 lakh*.

Also Read : Ford Ecosport Spotted On Test Once Again; Turbo-Petrol Engine Launching Soon?

As for the Aspire sub-compact sedan, both petrol and diesel versions will now be offered in just two trim levels - Titanium and Titanium+. While the petrol variants of the Aspire are priced at INR 7.24 lakh and INR 7.59 lakh* respectively, the diesel variants are priced at INR 8.34 lakh and INR 8.69 lakh*.

Lastly, trims on both the petrol and diesel versions of the Freestyle have been brought down to three - Titanium, Titanium+ and Flair. Petrol trims of the Freestyle are priced between INR 7.09 lakh and INR 7.74 lakh*. Meanwhile, prices for the diesel versions range between INR 8.19 lakh and INR 8.84 lakh*.

Incidentally, all three Ford cars are powered by the same petrol and diesel engine. The petrol engine is a 1.2L, naturally aspirated, three cylinder engine that produces 95hp and 119 Nm of peak torque. Meanwhile, the oil burner is a 1.5-litre, four cylinder engine that produces 99 bhp and 215 Nm of peak torque. Both engines come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission in all the three cars.

Stay to tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for the latest Ford updates and other four-wheeler news.

Ford EcoSport

The Ford EcoSport is one of India's most popular compact SUV, and is priced between INR 8.19 lakh and INR 11.73 lakh*. Launched in 2013, the EcoSport is available in six variants - Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, Titanium+, Thunder and S. In India, the EcoSport rivals the Maruti Brezza, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Nissan Magnite and Kia Sonet.

The Ford EcoSport can seat five people and is offered with a choice of two 1.5-litre engine options - a petrol unit that has an output of 122PS and 149Nm and a diesel that produces 100PS and 215Nm of torque. While the petrol engine gets a choice of a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic gearbox options, the 1.5-litre diesel only gets the 5-speed manual option. In terms of safety, the car gets six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), traction control and hill start assist.

In terms of features, the EcoSport gets an 8-inch or 9-inch SYNC3 touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration, automatic climate control, auto projector headlamps and cruise control. It also gets a push-button start, rain-sensing wipers and a sunroof. Moreover, you also get paddle shifters when you opt for the Titanium AT variant. The new FordPass connected car tech suite is offered as standard across all variants.

Ford Figo

The Ford Figo is the brand's smallest car in India and is offered in four petrol-powered variants - Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, and Titanium BLU, all priced between INR 5.39 lakh and INR 6.95 lakh*. The BS-VI Figo diesel is offered in three variants - Trend, Titanium, and Titanium BLU, priced from INR 6.86 lakh to INR 7.85 lakh*. In the Indian market, the car goes up against the Maruti Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios. In terms of features, the car gets up to six airbags, Ford Pass connected car tech, auto headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming IRVM and push-button start/stop. It also gets a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. You also get sporty cosmetics in the top-spec Titanium Blu variant.

Powering the Figo is Ford's latest BS-VI-compliant 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 96 PS of power and 119 Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The 1.5-litre diesel engine produces 100 PS and 215 Nm, mated to a 5-speed MT. The Figo’s mileage has gone down with its BS-6 updates, down from 20.4 kmpl to 18.5 kmpl and from 25.5 kmpl to 24.4 kmpl for the petrol and diesel variants, respectively. It misses out on an automatic option for now.

Ford Freestyle

The Freestyle is a rugged hatchback based on the Figo platform and its petrol-powered variants start at INR 5.99 lakh and go up to INR 7.69 lakh*. The diesel variants cost between INR 7.64 lakh and INR 8.79 lakh*. The petrol-powered versions are available in five variants - Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, Titanium+ and Flair. While the diesel-powered Freestyle comes in four - Trend, Titanium, Titanium+ and Flair. The list of features in the Ford Freestyle includes auto headlamps, auto-dimming IRVM, rain-sensing wipers, Ford Pass connected car tech, and push-button start/stop, among others. Similarly, the safety palette consists of six airbags, Active Rollover Protection and ABS with EBD.

Under the hood, the car comes with a 1.2-litre petrol that produces 96PS and 120Nm. You also get a 1.5-litre diesel that makes 100PS and 215Nm. Both engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and the Freestyle does not get an automatic option. The fuel efficiency of both engines have also reduced after the BS-6 update. Compared to the outgoing version, the petrol engine's claimed mileage has gone down from 19 kmpl to 18.5 kmpl, while the diesel engine’s fuel efficiency now stands at 23.8 kmpl, compared to the previous figure of 24.4 kmpl.

Ford Aspire

The Ford Aspire, like the Freestyle, is again based on the Figo platform. It is a compact sedan that goes up against a few of the most popular badges in India. This includes the Honda Amaze, Maruti Dzire and Hyundai Aura. The BS-VI version of the Aspire starts at INR 5.99 lakh and goes up to INR 7.44 lakh* for the petrol variants. Meanwhile, the Aspire diesel retails between INR 7.49 lakh and INR 8.34 lakh*. The variants include - Trend, Titanium, and Titanium+. The petrol-powered Aspire is the only one to be offered with the entry-level Ambiente trim.

Ford's sub-4m sedan is powered by a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol unit that delivers 96PS and 119Nm of torque. The 1.5-litre diesel, on the other hand, makes 100PS and 215Nm of torque. Both engines are only available with a 5-speed manual gearbox option. Again, the mileage figures of both engines have gone down with its BS-6 upgrade, from 20.4 kmpl to 18.5 kmpl (petrol) and 26.1 kmpl to 24.4 kmpl (diesel). The new Aspire benefits from six airbags, auto headlamps, auto-dimming IRVM, rain-sensing wipers, Ford Pass connected car tech and push-button start/stop.

*Ex-showroom prices

Ford, after suffering for quite a while in our country, announced a joint venture with home-grown manufacturer Mahindra, which will own a controlling 51% stake. The JV will develop, market and distribute Ford branded vehicles in the Indian market. This helps to firm the brand’s foothold in India. Having said that, Ford has some of the most well-packaged products to offer in India and quite a few of them are priced below INR 10 Lakh*, a price-tag most buyers prefer to go for.

Hence if you are looking for a Ford car under INR 10 lakh* in the Indian market, here are your best options.

Ford EcoSport

In its new avatar, the Ford EcoSport came with more features over its predecessor. The car is available in six trims – Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, Titanium+, EcoSport S and the Thunder Edition. The newly introduced Thunder Edition is based on the Titanium variant and it replaces the Signature trim. The updated model is available in both petrol and diesel engine options.

In terms of mechanicals, the new EcoSport continues to be powered by the 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine options. There is also a 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine that continues to be offered in the EcoSport S trim as well. Transmission options include a five-speed or a six-speed manual transmission along with a six-speed automatic transmission option in the petrol version.

On the outside, the EcoSport gets automatic HID headlamps, daytime running lights, electrochromic mirror and rain-sensing wipers. Also on offer are distinctive highlights like dark inserts on the headlamp cluster and a prominent black treatment to the fog lamp bezel. Additionally, it gets 17-inch alloy wheels, and a dark theme throughout the exterior, which includes black-painted front grille and rear-view mirrors; dual-tone bonnet and decals on doors.

Apart from the entry-level variant, all other variants get a touchscreen-based infotainment system with embedded navigation. The Thunder Edition uses abundant use of cognac accents across multiple surfaces – from front seats to door inserts as well as centre console and instrument panel. Ford Ecosport is one of the most well recognized Ford nameplates in India.

Ford Figo

The Ford Figo has a firm ground among the competent hatchbacks in India and is also the most affordable Ford you can buy in India. Ahead of its transition to BS-VI emission norms, the car had undergone a midlife facelift that made the offering more appealing. Instead of substantial changes, Ford decided to give the car small updates that made the car look fresher and more modern.

The changes came in the front with a new grille that is more protruding than before and makes the front look a bit bolder. At the sides, Ford has retained the silhouette and was largely similar except for the new chiselled bumper. On the inside, the car comes with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, it is not the Sync3 unit that you will find on the Freestyle and the Aspire. It is to be noted that the touchscreen infotainment system comes as standard in all three variants.

It does miss out on features like LED headlamps, daytime running lamps and phone mirroring features on the infotainment system which is offered on rival products. But it more than makes up for it, with a best-in-class 6 airbags on the top variant. Mechanically, the car comes with 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. The petrol powertrain outputs 95 bhp and 119 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the diesel variant delivers 99 bhp and 215 Nm of torque. Transmission option is a sole 5-speed manual gearbox.

Ford Freestyle

The Ford Freestyle is a rugged version of Figo and is touted as a CUV. The design of the Ford Freestyle is similar to that of Figo with additional body cladding, roof rails and skid plates. While the petrol-powered Freestyle is available in five variants: Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, Titanium+, and Flair, the diesel-powered Freestyle comes in four: Trend, Titanium, Titanium+, and Flair.

Under the hood, the Ford Freestyle comes with two BS-VI engine options including a 1.2-litre petrol unit that outputs 96 PS and 120 Nm and a 1.5-litre diesel unit that delivers 100 PS and 215 Nm. Both engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and the Freestyle continues to miss out on an automatic option.

In terms of safety, the Freestyle gets up to six airbags, auto headlamps, auto-dimming IRVM, rain-sensing wipers, Ford Pass connected car tech, and push-button start/stop, among others, six airbags, Active Rollover Protection, and ABS with EBD. In the domestic market, the Freestyle goes up against the Renault Triber, Maruti Swift, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, and Ford Figo.

Ford Aspire

The Ford Aspire is the compact sedan version of the Figo hatchback and goes up against cars like Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Aura and Honda Amaze. The BS-VI Aspire comes in the same variants as the Figo including Trend, Titanium, and Titanium+. The petrol-powered Aspire is the only one to be offered in the entry-level Ambiente trim being available with both petrol and diesel engines.

Ford's sub-4m sedan is powered by a BS-VI-compliant 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol that outputs 96 PS and 119 Nm and a BS-VI-compliant 1.5-litre diesel engine that delivers 100 PS and 215 Nm output. Both engines are only available with a 5-speed manual.

Notable features in the Aspire comes in the form of up to six airbags, auto headlamps, auto-dimming IRVM, rain-sensing wipers, Ford Pass connected car tech, and push-button start/stop.

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more such featured stories.

*Ex-showroom

Space and comfort – Maruti Ciaz

If there is one sedan which has redefined the term ‘value for money’ among sedans in India, it has to be the Maruti Ciaz. The Maruti Ciaz is undoubtedly the longest car under the INR 10 lakh mark. It not only gives the feeling of owning a much bigger, upper-class sedan, but also a long wheelbase that translates to a much more spacious cabin compared to what rivals offer.

With the segment-best legroom and knee room, and with an adequate amount of shoulder room and headroom on offer, the Maruti Ciaz is clearly the most spacious car in its category. So, if you have a tight budget, and are mostly being chauffeured, the Maruti Ciaz is the best sedan under 10 lakhs which you can opt for.

Maruti Suzuki has recently updated the Ciaz with a BS-VI compliant 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is available with a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic gearboxes, and delivers a maximum power output of 105 PS and a peak torque output of 138 Nm. The automatic configurations cost over INR 10 lakh*.

Maruti Ciaz manual prices*

• Sigma - INR 8,31,974
• Delta - INR 8,93,974
• Zeta - INR 9,70,974
• Alpha - INR 9,97,689

Fuel efficiency and reliability – Maruti Dzire

Maruti Suzuki definitely knows how to make cars which don't burn a hole in the pocket, and what better example can be there than the Maruti Dzire, India's best-selling sedan. Since its inception almost 13 years ago, the Maruti Dzire has been the topmost preferred choice regarding the best sedan under 10 lakhs for those who prioritize money-saving methods like maximum fuel efficiency and least maintenance costs.

The Maruti Dzire was recently given a makeover, which apart from receiving a fresh new face, also got a new heart in the form of a new 1.2-litre four cylinder petrol engine. The new engine has made the Maruti DZire the most efficient petrol sedan in the country. It has a fuel economy rating of 23.26 km/l with the 5-speed manual transmission and 24.12 km/l with the 5-speed automated manual transmission. The new engine produces 90 PS of maximum power and 113 Nm of peak torque output.

Maruti Dzire manual prices*

• LXI - INR 5,89,000
• VXI - INR 6,79,000
• ZXI - INR 7,48,000
• ZXI+ - INR 8,28,000

Maruti Dzire automatic prices*

• VXI AMT- INR 7,31,500
• ZXI AMT- INR 8,00,500
• ZXI+ AMT - INR 8,80,500

Technology and features – Hyundai Aura 1.0 Turbo GDI petrol

Turbocharging is the call of the hour, and while all the manufacturers are gradually coming up with one or two new products with turbocharged petrol engines, Hyundai has set up the pace by introducing a range of cars with a turbocharged petrol engine like the Venue, Creta, Grand i10 Nios, Aura, and Verna.

The Hyundai Aura is the only sedan under the INR 10 lakh mark to be available with a turbocharged petrol engine. Priced at INR 8.55 lakh*, the sub-4 metre sedan has a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 100 PS of maximum power and 172 Nm of peak torque output. The engine is coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard.

Moreover, it’s not only the turbocharged petrol engine which gives the Hyundai Aura the title of the best sedan under 10 lakhs but also the longest list of comfort and convenience features on offer, which make it the most feature-rich sedan in its category. In the sole SX+ trim in which it is available, the Hyundai Aura 1.0 Turbo GDI is equipped with the largest-in-segment 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with iBlue audio remote application, reverse camera, Apple Carplay, and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charger, cooled glove box, push-button start with keyless entry, projector headlamps and daytime running LEDs and machined alloy wheels.

Performance  and driving dynamics – Ford Aspire 1.5 TDCI diesel

The Ford Aspire does not get standout sporty design elements like the Hyundai Aura turbo-petrol, but it surely manages to shoot down the latter as well as all the other sedans in its space when it comes to outright performance and driving manners. The Ford Aspire is available with 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines. It is the latter which can bring a big smile to your face if you are behind the steering wheel of the Aspire.

Coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard, the 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine makes 100 PS of maximum power and 215 Nm of peak torque. It is the torquiest engine in the segment. Also, the traditional virtues of all the Ford products of having nicely weighted steering and finely tuned suspension have been bestowed on the Ford Aspire diesel as well, making it the most fun-to-drive sedan in its category.

Ford Aspire diesel prices*

• Trend - INR 7,49,000
• Titanium - INR 7,99,00
• Titanium+ - INR 8,34,000

Safety – Toyota Yaris

The next best sedan under 10 lakhs is the Toyota Yaris, one of the most underrated cars in the Indian automobile market. The vehicle hasn’t clicked much with the Indian audience, and that might be due to steep pricing by Toyota at the time of its launch. However, the high price was justified by the fact that it was equipped with a total of seven airbags as standard. Now, cheaper configurations with three airbags are available. Just to give you a testimony of the Toyota Yaris' prowess in safety, it has secured a 4-star rating at Latin NCAP and a 5-star rating at ASEAN NCAP.

The Toyota Yaris packs a number of attractive features right from the base grade, like three airbags (front, side, curtain and knee airbags), rear parking sensors, projector headlamps, Bluetooth enabled 2-DIN music system with four speakers, cooled glove box, electrically adjustable outside rear windows and height adjustment for driver’s seat. LED DRLs, alloy wheels, LED rear combination lamps, 7-inch LED touchscreen infotainment system, six speakers, 4.2-inch colour TFT MID, cruise control, paddle shifters, seven airbags, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), front parking sensors and many more/better features. are available in higher grades.

The Toyota Yaris is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which churns out 107 PS of maximum power and 140 Nm of peak torque output. All the variants of the Toyota Yaris, including the base J variant, are offered with both 5-speed manual and CVT gearboxes.

Toyota Yaris - Prices*

• Yaris J-Optional manual - INR 8,76,000
• Yaris J-Optional CVT - INR 9,46,000
• Yaris J manual - INR 9,40,000
• Yaris G-Optional - INR 9,74,000

Also read: Best automatic cars in India under 10 lakh 2020 - IAB picks

That concludes our picks on the best sedan under 10 lakhs in India based on different aspects. Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog for more featured stories and the latest four-wheeler news.

*Ex-showroom Delhi

Like Tata Motors, there are other automakers who continue offering a diesel engine in even some of their most economical models even in the BS6 era. After all, companies can’t deny the fact that there is still significant demand from buyers who'd pay the premium for a diesel engine to benefit from the tractability, torquey character and great fuel economy they offer.

Below are the cheapest diesel cars in India under 10 lakh:

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

One of the most significant launches by Hyundai in last year in terms of volumes, the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios is basically the third generation Hyundai Grand i10. However, unlike the latter, which is now offered only with a 1.2-litre petrol engine, the former is being sold with both BS-VI compliant petrol and diesel engines.

The diesel engine in question here is the same 1.2-litre three-cylinder mill from the previous generation Grand i10, which makes 75 PS of maximum power and 190 Nm of maximum torque. However, it is BS6 compliant and offered with not only a 5-speed MT but also a 5-speed AMT. This is now the smallest diesel engine in the country. Prices for the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios diesel range between INR 6.75-8.04 lakh*.

Ford Figo

The current generation Ford Figo might not have been as successful as the first-gen model in terms of sales, but there is no doubt about its capabilities as a vehicle in a whole. The second-gen model has proven its mettle when it comes to performance and practicality. Ford still hasn’t given up on the Figo and has readied it for the BS-VI era, with a few cosmetic changes and feature re-jigs across variants in addition.

The new Ford Figo diesel sources its power from an upgraded version of the old model's 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. Like the BS4 version, the BS6 version makes 100 PS of maximum power and 215 Nm of peak torque and rooms coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. Known for a great mix of punchy performance and frugality, the new Ford Figo's prices range from INR 6.86-7.85 lakh*.

Ford Freestyle

The formula of cross hatches has never been a sure-shot thing in the Indian market. Despite the fact that the Indian market has seen a number of fantastic cross hatches, they never have been super successful as their respective hatchback counterparts. The Ford Freestyle is one such example. Based on the Ford Figo hatchback, the Ford Freestyle comes with a number of cosmetic enhancements over the Figo including body cladding job, roof rails and a different grille.

The Ford Freestyle diesel is powered by the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that produces a maximum power of 100 PS and a peak torque output of 215 Nm. Similarly, a 5-speed manual gearbox is standard. Prices for the Ford Freestyle diesel range between INR 7.34-8.19 lakh*.

Ford Aspire

The Ford Aspire is one of the most enthusiastic cars to drive in the sub-four metre sedan segment, and the majority of its credit goes to its diesel powertrain.

The Ford Aspire diesel also has the Ford Figo diesel's 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine (100 PS/215 Nm), available only with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Its prices range from INR 7.49-8.34 lakh* - is cheapest diesel cars in India.

Honda Amaze

Apart from Hyundai and Ford, Honda is the third automaker in the mass-market segment which still believes that there is a good potential for entry-level diesel cars in the country. This is the reason why it is still selling its most important offering in India – the Honda Amaze - with a diesel engine as well.

The Honda Amaze diesel mounts a 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. This engine is there in the Amaze in two states of tune: 100 PS/200 Nm and 80 PS/160 Nm. The 100 PS/200 Nm version is offered with a 5-speed manual transmission and the 80 PS/160 Nm version is offered with a CVT.

The Honda Amaze diesel's prices start at INR 7.56 lakh* and go up to INR 9.96 lakh*.

Also Read: Best cars under INR 5 lakh in India - IAB Picks

*Ex-showroom India

Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more such featured stories and the latest four-wheeler news.

With the BS-VI update, the entry-level Ford Figo has become costlier by INR 16,000. The entry-level Ford Freestyle is now INR 2,000 cheaper.

The BS-VI update has made the Figo diesel to cost around INR 26,000-30,000 more. Interestingly the prices of the Aspire have dropped by up to IN 28,000 with the BS-VI update. It is only the 1.5-L diesel 'Trend' variant of the Aspire whose prices have increased (by INR 12,000). Similarly, the majority of the variants of the BS-VI Freestyle undercut their respective BS-IV counterparts by a significant margin. While prices of its select variants remain unchanged.

The 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines have been updated to meet the required BS-VI emission norms. The former now churns out slightly lower, 96 PS and 119 Nm as against 96 PS and 120 Nm before. The diesel engine's outputs, on the other hand, remains unaltered at 100 PS and 215 Nm. The engines come mated to the same 5-speed manual gearbox.

The drop in the prices of select configurations of the Aspire and Freestyle both is likely due to “increased localisation and alignment of features”.

The Figo Titanium now comes with newly designed 15-inch alloy wheels but misses out on a majority of previous features such as the rear defogger and wiper, automatic climate control system, a reverse camera, touchscreen infotainment system and front fog lamps. The Aspire in its top-grade Titanium+ no longer features Ford's Sync 3 system.

Also Read: Next-gen Ford EcoSport to be Ford Mustang Mach-E-inspired, low-slung CUV

Ford has confirmed that all the three new BS-VI models will benefit from its in-car connectivity suite called FordPass which will be standard across all variants.

The aforementioned 1.5L TiVCT petrol engine is the most potent engine money can buy in the Ford Figo and Ford Aspire's segment. This naturally aspirated three-cylinder mill produces 123 PS at 6,500 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. The 6-speed automatic transmission in question is offered exclusively with this engine, and it's a conventional torque converter unit - another segment-exclusive. An automatic transmission will become available in these cars again at a future date, Ford has confirmed.

The company used to offer the 1.5L TiVCT petrol engine and the 6-speed AT in the Figo and the Aspire in a single Titanium variant only. These configurations have been taken down from the website already and the availability will be subject to stock at dealerships now.

Ford offers only the smaller, 1.2L TiVCT petrol engine which churns out 96 PS of maximum power and 120 Nm of peak torque and the 1.5L TDCi diesel engine which develops 100 PS and 215 Nm of peak torque in its Figo and Aspire now. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard. The same is the case with the Freestyle.

Ford has also stopped offering the Absolute Black paint scheme in the Figo, Aspire and the Freestyle. The company has discontinued the Deep Impact Blue paint scheme also from the Figo and the Aspire.

Also Read: Next-gen Ford EcoSport to be Ford Mustang Mach-E-inspired, low-slung CUV

As far as the pricing is concerned, the Ford Figo AT retails at INR 7.70 lakh*, while the Aspire AT costs INR 9.10 lakh*. In other new developments, it has come to notice that Ford is planning to launch Endeavour with a 2.0L diesel engine and 10-speed automatic transmission soon.

*Ex-showroom, India

[Image Source: ZigWheels]

The Ford Figo Sedan was updated in the South American markets last year. It is offered with standard four airbags, ABS, ESC, Isofix child-seat anchorages and front seat-belt pre-tensioners and reminders. As per the crash test results, its standard safety features (mentioned above) were enough to offer good to adequate protection for the front occupants. Driver and passenger’s knees showed only marginal protection as these parts were prone to impact from the dangerous structures behind the dashboard. The footwell area scored a stable rating and showed insignificant deformation. Feet protection was rated good. The side-impact crash tests revealed the level of protection was good for all areas except for the chest. Side Pole Impact crash was not performed as the car isn't offered with side head protection as standard.

Furthermore, even 18-month-old, as well as three-year-old child dummies, were put inside the car, to check the level of safety for child occupants and the results were good even for younger occupants. However, the bodyshell integrity of the Figo Sedan was reported to lack stability. The NCAP report highlights that the above results are not applicable on the similar-looking Ford Ka Sedan which is sourced from the Ford's Brazil plant.

Also Read: Ford to launch next-gen Figo (Ka) & next-gen Aspire (Ka Sedan) by 2021

The Indian-spec Ford Aspire comes with standard safety features such as dual airbags, ABS, EBD and a high-speed alert system. It can be had with six airbags only in the range-topping Titanium+ trim. While other prime safety features like ESC, traction control and hill-start assist are only offered in its petrol-automatic variant. In other updates, Mahindra wants to use Ford’s B-platform that underpins the EcoSport.

Ford and Mahindra had stated that they're looking into co-developed B-SUVs. It was expected this area of mutual interest will include Ford borrowing the SsangYong Tivoli's platform from Mahindra for its B-SUV, either the EcoSport successor or its first-ever Hyundai Creta rival in India. However, it has come to light that Mahindra is instead considering borrowing Ford's B-platform that underpins the EcoSport. Indirectly, this means that the B-platform is not going anywhere and the next-gen EcoSport/EcoSport successor in India will sit on an upgraded version of this platform.

In October last year, Mahindra and Ford signed an agreement under which Mahindra will develop and supply a low-displacement petrol engine for use in Ford’s present and future vehicles, beginning in 2020. It will be a BS-VI compliant powertrain which will help the American car maker to extend and strengthen its existing portfolio of petrol engines that currently includes the all-new 1.2- and 1.5-litre Ti-VCT three-cylinder naturally aspirated units.

Also Read: Ford EcoSport range to be updated with new variant and lesser features - Report

Only a few days back, the Ford Aspire Electric was spied. Mahindra will likely make use of this platform to develop its own electric vehicle, possibly the successor to the Mahindra Verito. The powertrain would be developed by Mahindra Electric, though. If earlier reports are to be believed, the Aspire Electric will have a 380-volt NMC Lithium-ion battery pack to run a 50 kW (67.98 PS) electric motor which is good enough to do a top speed of 110 km/h. The upcoming Mahindra's electric sedan will share similar specifications.

The Ford Aspire Electric should go on sale in India later this year, with prices starting at around INR 12 lakh*. As for any possible Mahindra product based on Ford's B-platform, that's unlikely to show up anytime before 2021.

The Ford Aspire Blu looks sportier in comparison to the regular Aspire thanks to the black grille, the blue inserts on the front bumper, the blue and black decals on the sides and the boot lid and the 15-inch black alloy wheels and the black ORVMs and roof. The interior is entirely in black, with contrasting blue highlights on the door panels. A leather-wrapped steering wheel is also a part of the package. White, Moondust Silver and Smoke are the paint choices.

Based on the Titanium grade, the Blu edition comes well-equipped with several premium features including a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with built-in navigation, push-button start/stop, automatic climate control, rear-view camera and more.

The Ford Aspire Blu is offered with a 1.2L Ti-VCT N/A petrol engine and a 1.5L TDCi turbocharged diesel engine, both paired with a 5-speed manual transmission as standard. The petrol unit delivers 96 PS of maximum power and 120 Nm of peak torque. The diesel engine churns out 100 PS of maximum power and 215 Nm of peak torque. The fuel economy rating is 20.4 km/l (petrol)/25.5 km/l (diesel).

Also Read: Ford Aspire Electric revealed, is based on the long version

“The Ford Aspire Blu Edition celebrates the spirit of style, power and performance. Thanks to the 5-year warranty on offer, the Ford Aspire Blu will deliver complete peace-of-mind to consumers, enabling them to enjoy the game as much as the car ownership experience,” Vinay Raina, Executive Director, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford India, commented on the launch of the car.

*Ex-showroom, PAN India

The Indian government levies higher GST on ICE-powered four-wheelers longer than 4,000 mm. So, Ford manufactures the Aspire in a small version that doesn't exceed this length barrier and a long version that looks like a proper sedan. The latter is not sold in India, but it is manufactured for exports. The GST levied on pure electric four-wheelers (12%) doesn't take the length (or even the body style) of the vehicle into account, and so, the Blue Oval will launch the pure electric Aspire in the long version. The bigger body with better proportions will allow it to make the higher price of the pure electric variant a little more justifiable.

The Ford Aspire Electric will use a powertrain developed by Mahindra Electric. Specifics aren't available yet. If an internal document from Mahindra & Mahindra is to be believed, the pure electric sedan will have a 380-volt NMC Lithium-ion battery pack to run a 50 kW (67.98 PS) electric motor that can provide a top speed of 110 km/h. The range will be above 150 km.

Also Read: Ford unveils its first sedan-crossover concept in Brazil, is based on the Aspire platform [Update]

The small version of the Ford Aspire measures 3,995 mm in length, 1,704 mm in width and 1,525 mm in height. The long version exported to South Africa, for reference, is 4,254 mm long, 1,695 mm wide and 1,525 mm tall. The long version, in addition to a better design, offers a bigger boot. While the small version's boot capacity is 359 litres, the long version's boot capacity is 445 litres.

The Ford Aspire Electric should go on sale in India later this year. Prices should start at around INR 12 lakh*.

*Before incentive under the FAME-II scheme

[Image Source - AutocarIndia]

The Ford Aspire Titanium Blu mimics the Figo Titanium Blu. It comes with blue inserts on the front bumper, blue and black decals on the sides and the boot lid, 15-inch black alloy wheels, black ORVMs and black roof. Seen in these images is the Moondust Silver paint option, but customers should have the choice of Oxford White and Smoke Grey.

As for the interior, the Ford Aspire Titanium Blu sports all-black dashboard and all-black upholstery with blue stitching and 'Blu' logo, blue highlights on the door pads and leather-wrapped steering wheel. While the Ford Figo Titanium Blu comes equipped with six airbags, the Ford Aspire Titanium Blu comes with only two airbags. However, while the former features a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, the latter features a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The smaller unit is likely one of Ford's SYNC 3 units.

The engine options of the sedan will be the same as those of the hatchback: 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol (96 PS/120 Nm) and 1.5-litre diesel (100 PS/215 Nm). These engines deliver a fuel economy of 20.4 km/l and 26.1 km/l respectively. A standard 5-speed manual transmission is a given.

Also read: Ford India won't drop diesel selling diesel models post BS-VI rollout - Report

The Ford Aspire Titanium Blu is expected to slot below the Ford Aspire Titanium+ which costs INR 7,70,900* (petrol)/INR 8,50,900* (diesel) respectively.

*Ex-showroom Delhi

[Source - Team-BHP.com]

24 October 2018 -

Ford has revealed the Ka Urban Warrior concept in Brazil ahead of its stage debut at the 2018 Sao Paulo Auto Show next month. The concept is essentially a longer Ford Aspire Freestyle with a different name. Here are product images from the press conference held yesterday, courtesy Autos Segredos.

The Ford Ka Urban Warrior has a rugged styling that brings an adventurous edge to an ordinary family saloon. It is differentiated with silver skid plates on the front and rear, a 3D mesh grille and its surround both in black, black front fog lamp ornamentation, grey ORVMs, body cladding on the lower body and wheel arches, four-double-spoke alloy wheels in black and grey rear applique on the decklid.

The interior is completely in black and has no special features complementing the aggressive exterior. Powering the near-production concept is the 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine from the Dragon engine family that produces 128 CV (128 PS) at 6,500 rpm and 153 Nm of torque running on petrol and 136 CV (136 PS) at 5,500 rpm and 158 Nm of torque at 4,750 rpm running on ethanol. This flex-fuel engine is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Also Read: 2019 Ford Figo (facelift) to go on sale early next year

Ford hasn’t revealed whether it plans to launch the Ka Urban Warrior yet, but maybe it will share an update once its tests the response of the Brazilian public at the Sao Paulo auto show.

[Image Source 1: autossegredos.com.br]

[Image Source 2: noticiasautomotivas.com.br]

Ford offers a CNG sequential kit supplied and installed by Lovato in the Aspire 1.2-litre with a 1 lakh km warranty on the car and the CNG kit. The Aspire CNG has a factory-programmed speed governor set at 80 km/h (applicable for only taxi segment). The company says that the car’s maintenance cost is just 46 paise/km, up to 1,00,000 km. Below is the breakdown of the maintenance cost, provided by Lovato.

The 1.2-litre Ti-VCT petrol engine produces 96 PS at 6,500 rpm and 120 Nm of torque at 4,250 rpm. It is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Out of the five grades, namely Ambiente, Trend, Trend+, Titanium and Titanium+, the CNG option is available in only the entry-level Ambiente grade and the mid-range Trend+ grade.

Key features of the Ford Aspire CNG include 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, automatic climate control, steering wheel mounted audio controls, rear-view camera, power adjustable and folding ORVMs, front fog lamps and rear defogger.

Also Read: Made-for-India Ford C-SUV to be substantially different from Mahindra W601

Like the Aspire, the Figo may gain a CNG option after the facelift. In fact, Ford was testing a Figo CNG last year. The facelifted hatchback should go on sale by next month.

Ford Aspire CNG - Prices

• Aspire Ambiente CNG - INR 6,27,414 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)
• Aspire Trend+ CNG - INR 7,12,314 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

‘Blu’ suffix is expected to be for the petrol-CNG variants of Ford vehicles. Overdrive, on the other hand, says that the test mule seen here is fitted with the 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine and that the company will offer the 1.2-litre Ti-VCT petrol engine as well.

The test mule has a gloss black roof, blacked ORVMs, 15-inch black alloy wheels and gloss black inserts with chrome accents, it points out, suggesting that the Blu variant is basically a replacement for the discontinued S variant that was launched in April 2017.

There’s no word on the launch timeline of the Blu variant of the Ford Figo and Ford Aspire at the moment. In the immediate future, the facelifted Figo and the facelifted Endeavour are the only expected launches from the Blue Oval. The latter is said to reach showrooms on the 22nd of this month, while the former should go on sale next month.

The regular Ford Aspire is available with a 1.2-litre Ti-VCT three-cylinder petrol engine (96 PS/120 Nm), a 1.5-litre Ti-VCT three-cylinder petrol engine (123 PS/150 Nm) and a 1.5-litre TDCi four-cylinder diesel engine (100 PS/215 Nm). The 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines are paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, while the 1.5-litre petrol engine channels power to the wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Also Read: Made-for-India Ford C-SUV to be available in 5- & 7-seat versions

Ford doesn’t plan to launch an all-new model in India this year. Its next major launch is a C-SUV co-developed with Mahindra, but that model is probably a year or two away from its commercial release.

[Source: overdrive.in]

Also Read- Ford Aspire facelift first drive review

The 2018 Ford Aspire (facelift) features a new grille, sportier bumpers, smoke-effect headlamps and new alloy wheels. On the inside, it has a Freestyle-like dashboard with a 6.5-inch SYNC3 infotainment unit on the top-end trim and a 7.0-inch FLY infotainment system on the mid-range versions.

Powering the 2018 Ford Aspire (facelift) is a new 1.2-litre 'Dragon' three-cylinder petrol engine that outputs a maximum power of 96 PS and a peak torque of 120 Nm. The IB5 5-speed manual transmission on the outgoing model has been replaced with a lighter and more accurate Getrag-made 5-speed manual transmission (codename: MX65).

The automatic transmission variant is equipped with a 1.5-litre Dragon three-cylinder petrol engine from the EcoSport. It outputs a maximum power of 123 PS along with a peak torque of 150 Nm. The 6-speed dual clutch transmission has been replaced with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic unit. The 1.5-litre turbo-diesel motor of the pre-facelift has been carried over to the new version albeit with a retuned ECU.

Standard safety features include dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors and front seatbelt reminder (SBR). The fully-loaded version features six airbags and automatic emergency assistance system.

Also Read - Ford Aspire 'Trip' to be launched for the commercial segment

With the mid-cycle update, the 2018 Ford Aspire (facelift) has become more affordable in Nepal by up to NPR 2.4 lakh (INR 1.5 lakh).

2018 Ford Aspire (facelift) - Prices in Nepal

• Ambiente M/T Petrol: NPR 25,50,000
• Trend M/T Petrol: NPR 27,50,000
• Trend+ M/T Petrol: NPR 29,50,000
• Titanium M/T Petrol: NPR 31,50,000
• Titanium+ M/T Petrol: NPR 33,50,000
• Titanium+ A/T Petrol: NPR 34,50,000
• Ambiente M/T Diesel: NPR 28,50,000
• Trend M/T Diesel: NPR 30,50,000
• Trend+ M/T Diesel: NPR 32,50,000
• Titanium M/T Diesel: NPR 34,50,000
• Titanium+ M/T Diesel: NPR 36,50,000