Ford. It was a promise, and the fulfilment of which made even non-enthusiasts understand the importance and beauty of a well-balanced chassis and suspension setup. Enthusiasts looking for affordable drivers’ cars picked blue. Or they did, until Ford decided to substitute some of the blue-blooded pedigree for a more please-all formula. The second generation Figo opted to water down driving dynamics to make for a more comfortable and please-all hatchback to rival cars like Maruti Suzuki’s Swift and Hyundai’s Grand i10.
However, Ford has now introduced the new Sports Editions of the Figo and Aspire with the hope of bringing the Ford magic back to showrooms. The Sports Edition gets cosmetic updates to make it look sharper. The engines though are acarried over unchanged. The Sports edition is available with a 1.23litre petrol or a 1.5 litre diesel, like the one we were driving. These engines have been carried over unchanged from the regular Figo, so power remains unchanged. However, there are some solid changes to the suspension setup – there are new larger 15” rims, wider 195/55 tyres, stiffer springs and reworked anti-roll bar to make the drive more invigorating. Will the loyalists and enthusiasts swing past Ford showrooms once again? We take a first drive of the Ford Figo Sports Edition to see if it has the magic
