The much-awaited Ford Figo is almost ready. So we put together a video for all Ford fans who are dying to see the car inside-out! Here’s a never-seen-before look into the car, the roomy interiors, mobile connectivity and so much more. Watch the video and tell us what you think of the car!
What makes the Figo such a ‘cool’-looking and dynamic car? Who better to tell us than the design team itself, led by Scott Strong, APA design director.
We had a chat with Scott Strong (SS), Scott Ferrier (SF), design manager, and Emily Lai (EL), Colours & Materials design manager, recently. They spoke candidly about the Figo’s kinetic design elements, its aesthetics and the small car’s big personality.
In Scott Ferrier’s words, here’s the 10-cent tour of the car. Enjoy!
What was the starting point of the Figo?
SS: We got a phone call in September 2007, and they asked us, “How would you guys like to help us design a small car for India?” That was the starting point, and with a spectacular outcome!
The design team responded enthusiastically to this project?
SS: Absolutely! We love to design cars. If we don’t get a white piece of paper we try to make one!
How did you get from the initial thoughts to the final outcome ?
SS: It was quite a journey for us, really. But as the doors opened, the opportunities became apparent that we thought, gosh, we can make an affordable entry-level car that we’ll be proud of.
EL: What was interesting was the India marketing team saying they wanted more from the car, and we said, yeah, we want more too. So we worked together to create this ‘more’ factor.
On to the Figo itself. First impressions?
SF: It’s a very cohesive piece of design. Everything has a function and aesthetically every element works in harmony with the others.
There are a lot of lines and graphics on this car that help the eye move around. In the front there’s the crease on the hood, which runs down the front around the lower portion of the upper grille and then back up the hood again. So all the time your eye is actually being guided around the car.
So that’s what makes the car kinetic?
SS: Yes. Besides, this car has several other kinetic design elements, including the little fender feature, plus the lower grille opening and the upper grille with the little ‘cat whisker’.
What inspired you while designing the Figo?
SF: We really wanted to give the car a personality. It’s a very dynamic shape and it just adds that touch of speed and agility to the personality of the vehicle.
What is the car’s personality?
SF: I think it’s a cheeky looking car— a car that could get you into mischief.
SS: The Figo combines a certain youthful spirit, but it does so in a mature, smart way.
EL: To me, it feels like it’s a fun thing to play with as well.
The Figo seems to have its own space within the small car segment.
SS: It’s very spirited, and has a somewhat cheeky personality.
SF: See the basic architecture as well – with wheels at each corner and pronounced arches over the rear wheels reinforce Figo’s well planted footprint. It looks like it’s planted securely on the road—very solid.
EL: And the solidness makes people feel safe and feel like they’re driving a car rather than a toy.
What makes the Figo a versatile car?
SS: I think the Figo has the ability to play in two different worlds—you can take it to dinner or to a grocery store. It strikes a balance between youthfulness and being grown up, almost ageless. You could see both young and older people in it.
The badge seems a bit different than other Ford cars.
SF: It’s in line with the car’s personality.
The setting is important to tell the car’s story. How would you portray the Figo’s bold personality?
SF: You stick this car in the middle of a beautiful field with hills in the background – and it looks out of context. You stick it a badly lit street corner and it starts to make sense. Or maybe a market place. This car is like your safety beacon. It’s gonna look after you, and it’s waiting.
SS: Maybe the car making its way through an Indian city, with a lot of colour, vibrancy and hustle bustle.
John Parker, executive vice president, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa made an impassioned speech as he went down memory lane to the time he started Ford in India 12 years ago . He spoke of the significance of the Figo in India and worldwide. “Figo is the foundation stone for the right products that are going to drive our India business forward. So next time we come back, there will be 10,000 people sitting in this room.” And then he challenged us: “When the car rolls out, I want your friends and neighbours who buy it to say, what a great car it is, not just to look at, but what a great car to drive!”
Enjoy the video!
Here are the best moments of our unveiling event yesterday. Watch the Ford Figo drive out for the first time and what president and CEO Alan Mulally had to say about Ford and the new car.
What do you think of the Figo? Let us know.
It’s anything but small- it’s substantial. It’s a Ford. And it’s finally revealed!
Say hello to the newest member of the Ford carline in India– the Ford Figo!
Figo is colloquial Italian for “cool”, and our new car personifies the vibrant spirit and youthful character of its name, plus the quality and substance car buyers expect from a Ford.
Our president and CEO Alan Mulally introduced Figo to the foreign and Indian media at a press conference in Delhi a short while ago. It was a fascinating sneak peek at our future in India.
“We know the high importance Indian consumers place on value for money. We know you want quality, fuel efficiency, technology, and safety. And Ford is going to give it to you,” Mr. Mulally said at the conference.
We like Figo’s kinetic design, which shares key elements with the Focus, Mondeo and Fiesta. Its contemporary touches include expressive headlamps and grille, and sculpted bonnet. Also check out a host of other design details, such as:
Generous proportions are evident in the Figo design. And being a Ford, we ensured the Figo has a solid stance with a spacious interior. The car’s profile and bold graphic large side window shape strongly hint at the comfort and spaciousness of the car.
We’ve made the Figo nimble and agile, another core Ford characteristic. The pronounced wheel arches signal both agility and solidity, and the body shape has minimal overhang with a wheels-at-the-corners look.
Our team has leveraged Ford’s small-car platform architecture to create the Figo. It shares underlying technology with the Ford Fiesta, already familiar to Indian drivers.
We have designed the Figo for driving on congested city roads, fully geared to take on the competition in India’s small car segment. As Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India, said at the conference: “We’re confident that the new Ford Figo will be extremely attractive to Indian car buyers. It’s going to be very competitive with the current market leaders and offer a tremendous value story for our consumers.”
The car will be produced at our Chennai plant, which has undergone a $500 million transformation to become a regional centre of excellence for Ford small car production. The Figo will be exported to international markets as well. Volume production is scheduled to begin in early 2010.
Keep track of our blog for more information about the car and Ford in India. Meanwhile, we leave you with first glimpses of the car. Enjoy the pictures, and do let us know what you think of Figo.
-By the Ford Figo Team
It was an historic moment for Ford today as president and CEO Alan Mulally unveiled our new car in India – the Figo – at a press conference in Delhi. The Figo is Ford’s substantial offering to Indian car buyers, and is scheduled for launch in early 2010.
The excitement among our team grew as journalists from around the world poured into the conference hall. The theme – One Ford, One Vision, One Team, One Moment – became apparent as the events unfolded.
Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India, kicked off the press conference with an insightful introduction to Ford’s $500 million investment in India. “This strategic investment is transforming our India business – into a volume manufacturing and export hub…and a regional center of excellence for Ford small car development and production.”
Mr Boneham called the Figo a game-changer for the India operations. “It will give us competitive muscle in the heart of the India market. And it marks the beginning of a series of new products for customers here,” he envisioned.
Taking over the stage from Mr Boneham, president and CEO Alan Mulally explained the One Ford strategy to the transfixed audience. “The centre of our One Ford plan is developing a full line-up of Ford vehicles across all global markets, in all segments- small, medium and large; cars, utilities and trucks, each of them best-in-class for fuel efficiency, quality, safety and value. Around the world and, particularly here in India, our plan includes accelerating development of fuel efficient, small cars,” he said.
“We know the high importance Indian consumers place on value for money. We know you want quality, fuel efficiency, technology, and safety. And Ford is going to give it to you,” Mr Mulally stated emphatically.
As the new Ford Figo rolled on to stage, Mr Mulally highlighted its important features: “It combines Ford's kinetic design, class-leading interior space, several technology firsts and modern comforts and conveniences that make this car a game-changer.”
Mr Mulally invited senior executives on stage for a photo op with the new Ford Figo- Michael Boneham, John Parker, Sandip Sayal, Tom Chakalakal and Nigel Wark.
As the media steps forward to get a better view of the car, we’d like you to take a closer look as well. Keep reading this blog to get all the dope on the newest member of the Ford family in India- the Ford Figo.
-By the Ford Figo team
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