India-Bound Ford Aspire Facelift Launched In Brazil

After introducing the refreshed Aspire in South Africa (known as the Figo Sedan) earlier in June 2018, Ford has now launched the updated sedan in Brazil (known as the KA Sedan). It is finally heading to India around Diwali 2018. While it is only available in the mid-spec trend variant in South Africa, the Brazil-spec model is available in the top-spec Titanium variant and that gives us a better idea of how the India-spec model would be like. It is important to note that the sedan version of the Figo in other markets is longer than the sub-4m version offered in India. However, these are identical in terms of styling and equipment list.

Highlights of the Brazil-spec Ford Aspire facelift:

• Like the refreshed Figo, which was revealed in Europe in Feb 2018, the Brazil-spec Aspire also gets Freestyle-like bumper, albeit with chrome inserts

• The new grille features chrome slats like the outgoing model; however, the extremities of the slats are chunkier

• The headlamps are same as the pre-facelift Aspire/Figo, but get new detailing as seen on the Freestyle

• The Brazil-spec Aspire gets a new set of multi-spoke alloy wheels which were also seen in one of the spied models in India before. These new alloys are 15-inch in size compared to the 14-inchers offered in the pre-facelift regular model. The tyres should be wider too, at 195/55 cross-section, like the Freestyle and the existing Figo/Aspire Sports edition along with the Brazil-spec model

• The refreshed rear bumper gets a dual-tone theme and sleek chrome applique at the bottom. The tail lamps are identical in shape, but get subtly different internal detailing

• The dashboard is carried forward with a Freestyle-borrowed central console featuring a 6.5-inch SYNC3 system in the top-spec Titanium+ variant. The rest of the variants should also feature a touchscreen except the base Ambient. The SYNC3 unit will get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support

• While the Brazil-spec model gets 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

Safety features like ESP (electronic stability program), hill launch assist and traction control should now be offered on all the Titanium+ variant. In the pre-facelift model, these features were limited to the 1.5-litre petrol variant that came with a 6-speed dual-clutch AT. The Aspire will continue to offer up to six airbags along with ABS and EBD

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The Ford Aspire facelift will be powered by Ford’s latest 1.2-litre Ti-VCT petrol engine (96PS/120Nm) mated to a new 5-speed MT along with the existing 1.5-litre diesel (100PS/215Nm). The powertrain combo debuted with the Freestyle in India. However, it remains to be seen whether the Aspire will be the new 1.5-litre 3-cyl petrol with a 6-speed torque converter automatic as a replacement for the outgoing model’s old 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol with 6-speed dual-clutch AT, or not.

Check out: Ford Freestyle Gets Petrol-Automatic Powertrain In Brazil; Will It Launch In India?