ఫోర్డ్ ఆస్పైర్ 1.2 Ti-VCT Titanium

After a good amount of anticipation from the country's auto base, Ford India has launched the Figo Aspire. The model comes with a group of variants, and a notable one is the Ford Aspire 1.2 Ti-VCT Titanium. This is among the two top variants of the model, and it has a good list of features. It comes with unique design elements such as chrome highlights and additional appliqués to further enhance its persona. Its overall structure reflects balance, with a length of 3995mm, a width of 1695 and a height of 1525mm. The car's wheelbase of 2491mm is also an appreciable figure, for it leaves a good amount of space for the passengers within. The inside of the vehicle is layered for a blend of comfort and style. A two tone colour combination lavishes the space. This effect is further enhanced by the fine upholstery and a variety of other rich elements that make the cabin. An automatic air conditioning system keeps the cabin environment pleasant always. Tilt steering allows for comfort for the driver along with safety as well. There is a cluster display that consists of a gear shift indicator, door ajar warning, low fuel warning, water temperature warning light and a distance to empty meter. There is a tachometer as well, providing vital drive information to the man behind the wheel. The outside mirrors are power adjustable and foldable, and they host turn indicators for optimal drive safety and convenience. For the entertainment requirements, there is a good stereo unit together with a variety of other facilities that improve ride satisfaction for the occupants. In addition to this, safety measures are also affirmed, with airbags, seatbelts and techno aids that make for safety to go along with the comfortable ride experience.

Exteriors:

At the front, there is a wide grille with chrome bars for a more plush effect. This is further emphasized with the chrome surround as well. There are sleek headlamps on either side of this, and they come with a headlamp leveling function for better safety when driving. There are fog lamps as well, giving added visibility. The body colored bumper makes for a more harmonious image. Coming to the side profile, there are body colored door handles and outside mirrors, blending into the overall look well. Beside this, there is a black applique on the B and C pillars, highlighting the stylish persona of the car. This variant gets the benefit of stylish alloy wheels to add to its appeal. Coming to the rear end, there are wide light clusters, along with fog lights. The deck-lid is graced with a chrome applique for a more refined look at the tail section as well.

Interiors:

The cabin model reflects a sophisticated design where the seats are arranged to provide optimum comfort for all the passengers. The two tone color combination of charcoal black and light oak adds a more opulent aura to the cabin. This is further underlined by the fabric upholstery that cover the seats. The front door panel has a fabric insert for a finer look. A premium proteus black applique is present on the inner door handle, the audio bezel as well as the steering wheel, further enriching the cabin space. The parking brake lever tip has a chrome design. Beside just looks, there are good convenience facilities as well within the car. There are vanity mirrors for the driver and front passenger. Map pockets are present at the back of both front seats, offering storage utility to the passengers. A center armrest is present at the rear for the convenience of occupants.

Engine and Performance:

This variant is armed with a 1.2-litre Ti-VCT petrol power plant that has a displacement value of 1196cc. This engine is capable of churning out a power output of 64bhp at 6300rpm, alongside a torque of 112Nm at 4000rpm. The engine has a compression ratio of 11:1. The company is offering it with the choice of a power-shift automatic transmission, which comes along with a dual clutch system for optimal responsiveness. There is also the choice of a 5 speed manual transmission along with this. Overall, this power-plant delivers a good mileage of 18.16kmpl.

Braking and Handling:

The front wheels are equipped with ventilated discs, while the rear brakes have drum units, generating a good braking force overall for safer handling. As for the suspension system, there is an independent McPherson strut for the front axle, coming along with a coil spring and an anti roll bar for improved stability. For the rear axle, there is a semi independent twist beam, further aided by twin gas and oil filled shock absorbers for the best ride quality and comfort. Beside this, the car is gifted with a EPAS steering system that has a pull drift compensation technology.

Comfort Features:

For the entertainment needs of the occupants, there is a musical system that comes with radio facility. Further, the USB port and Aux-In functions allow for hosting external devices. Bluetooth connectivity is also a boon for the passengers, and it allow for audio streaming through enabled devices, as well as call hosting within the car. All of this is enhanced with the presence of a 2 line MFD screen, adding value to the drive. Furthermore, there are two speakers at the front and the rear delivering apt sound quality to go along with these numerous facilities. The controls to the phone and audio are mounted on the steering wheel for ease of functioning. Turning to a lighter side of the cabin functions, there is a front dome lamp as well as a boot lamp for the convenience of the passengers. The front and rear windows come with power adjustment facility, giving the occupants a more relieved drive. The driver's side window has a one touch up/down feature for added working ease. There are interior grab handles along with coat hooks, providing occupants the facility of hanging clothes within the car as well. A battery saver function makes for reduced energy dissipation, and an electric boot release function provides a hassle free drive.

Safety Features:

Firstly, there are airbags for both front passengers, giving them critical shielding in case of mishaps. Then, there are 3 point front and rear seatbelts, which also come with adjustable function for added safety value. There is also a driver's side seat belt reminder for added safety measures. A keyless entry facility makes for comfort as well as safety. The anti lock braking system, along with the electronic brake-force distribution, make for added control when braking. There is function for locking the doors automatically when the car crosses the speed of 20kmph. The windscreen at the front is guarded with 6 speed variable intermittent wipers, allowing visibility during wet weathers. The powerful headlamps come along with a guide me home facility, which further improves safety. In addition to all of this, the security of the car is also taken care of with an engine immobilizer. A perimeter alarm makes for improved measures to guard against unwanted events.

Pros:

1. Reasonable fuel economy.

2. The cabin has an array of comfort and convenience functions.

Cons:

1. Its outer look could be more sporty and enhanced.

2. The performance characteristics of the vehicle needs to be upgraded.