New Ford Figo (2nd Generation)

Disappointed that there's no diesel. IMHO the best of the bunch of small cars is the Figo and for long distance driving the diesel is very very light on fuel. Two of my friends, both sales reps drive Figo diesels, they constantly drive long open road and the last I heard those things easily gives 18 to 20 km/l.
 
DRIVEN: Ford Figo 1,5 Trend hatchback

The refreshed Ford Figo range has been cut down from nine to five derivatives (three hatchbacks and two sedans; check out pricing here), each powered by a new free-breathing three-cylinder engine. The updated models boast a new grille and lower-section front styling, plus a few nips and tucks here and there.

As before, Ford sticks to 14-inch wheels that look a little lost inside the wheelarches, but at least replacement tyres will be very affordable. Entry-level Ambiente variants run on steel wheels while Trend models receive the alloy treatment.

Interior space is as before, and the luggage capacity of the hatch is not great (though the sedan’s looks capacious). Rear-end styling hasn’t changed much and the sedan is not as neatly styled as the hatch, looking somewhat generic for a four-door.

While the Trend specification brings a chrome-effect grille, I actually prefer the more affordable Ambiente spec, which features a black grille. Trend models furthermore gain front foglamps, electrically adjustable mirrors, colour-coded door handles and mirrors, and a perimeter alarm.

The interior design is a vast improvement over the previous generation. Gone are all the fussy buttons with odd shapes, replaced by sensible, straightforward and easy-to-figure-out switchgear. No large touchscreens here, though.

The new TiVCT engine is, without doubt, the most outstanding feature of the entire package. When you start up the naturally aspirated 1,5-litre three-cylinder, it feels like a four-cylinder … or, in other words, it runs smoothly. But when you accelerate, you get a three-pot thrum that sounds rather appealing.

It’s an all-aluminium design with independent variable valve timing on both camshafts. A balancer shaft helps retain NVH refinement. Other features include a cambelt that runs in oil and a two-stage oil pump. The claimed fuel consumption with a five-speed manual gearbox is 5,7 litres per 100 km with 132 g/km CO2 emissions. If you choose the automatic version, you get a six-speed conventional torque converter gearbox and consumption increases somewhat to 6,5 L/100 km and 150 g/km of CO2.

The other notable feature is that a four-year/60 000 km service plan is part of the package (the pre-facelift model came with a two-year/40 000 km plan), with 15 000 km service intervals. No diesel engines are available, unfortunately (the pre-facelift hatchback could be had with a 74 kW/215 N.m oil-burner).

Safety-wise, the extra airbags of some previous (and expensive) models have been dropped in favour of the front two (so as to contain the price levels), plus ABS with EBD. Ford has catered for the increasing trend towards using your own cellphone for music and navigation by including a docking station in the flip-up dash-top storage compartment. Plug your phone into the USB port and close the lid onto it. A word of warning: if your phone is over 5 inches in screen size, it might be too large to fit properly under the lid.

Fords usually excel in their driveability and even on the budget Figo, this is still the case. The steering, although electrically powered, has good feel without a lack of directional stability. The suspension absorbs poor-quality road surfaces well and sound levels are fine apart from some predictable road noise.

Remembering that we were driving at Gauteng altitude, the 88 kW engine (up from the previous 1,5-litre four-pot’s 82 kW) and 150 N.m of torque (up from 136 N.m) proved more than adequate. Overtaking slower cars and trucks could be completed without having to wait for large traffic gaps, which in itself could be thought of as a safety feature. This engine will be even more lively at sea level.

The new powerplant is what places the updated Figo above some of its rivals and I believe this will especially endear it to owners living away from the salty sides of the country. No performance figures have yet been provided, but we will be conducting a full road test here at CAR magazine in the near future, so stay tuned

Fast Facts
Model:Ford Figo 1,5 Trend hatchback
Price:R190 600
Engine:1,5 litre, three-cylinder petrol
Power:88 kW
Torque:150 N.m
0-100 km/h:na
Top Speed:na
Fuel Consumption:5,7 L/100 km
CO2:132 g/km
Transmission:Five-speed manual
Maintenance Plan:4-yr/60 000 km service plan

http://www.carmag.co.za/car-reviews/ford-figo-15-trend-5-dr/
 
Ford Figo (2018) Launch Review

In an effort to stay relevant in South Africa’s ultra-competitive budget car segment, Ford has revitalised its Figo hatchback, which now features improved exterior/interior styling, equipment upgrades and a new engine! We attended the launch in Gauteng this week to experience the changes for ourselves…

The Figo competes with a host of well-established products, including the Suzuki Swift, Toyota Etios, and, of course, the dominant Volkswagen Polo Vivo. Ford holds a 6.0% share in the budget segment and, with this latest Figo, the Blue Oval is aiming to increase that number substantially.

Ford Figo: Highlights

We headed to Pretoria to sample the latest Figo in both hatchback and sedan guises. Although an aesthetic critique is entirely subjective, most people will probably agree that the look of this new Figo represents an improvement over that of the previous version – the new grille design is perhaps its most striking feature. In range-topping Trend specification, the grille is finished in chrome and it gives the Figo a more sophisticated look.

The juicy news, however, comes by way of a new 3-cylinder, 1.5-litre petrol engine that now powers the Figo range and offers a heady 88 kW and 150 Nm of torque. Buyers favour petrol engines in this segment and Ford is therefore no longer offering a turbodiesel engine in the range.

Our launch route started behind the wheel of the Figo Trend hatchback fitted with a new 6-speed automatic transmission.

We were delighted with the performance of this perky new engine. The Figo surges forward with purpose and felt punchy from the get-go. Granted, mechanical noise increases substantially under hard acceleration (as the transmission holds on to the gears to squeeze the most out of the engine), but we quickly learnt that feeding power moderately yielded the best results. If you want to achieve smoother, seamless acceleration, the automatic transmission is best driven with a measured approach. Hill Start Assist will help you achieve the perfect pull-away on steep inclines.

The steering, although a tad vague, felt playful and the Figo delivered a relatively pliant general ride quality during our 130-km test drive.

The launch of the Figo incorporated an interesting tour of Ford’s Silverton production facility, where Ford Ranger and Everest derivatives are built for the local and international market. The facility was recently upgraded in preparation for production of the new Ford Ranger Raptor in 2019. We were soon back on the road and set the Figo on a course for the mining town of Cullinan.

The interior has improved somewhat with a new design for the centre console and we particularly liked the smartphone docking solution seen on the top of the dashboard. You simply plug your smartphone into the USB port provided and then prop it up with the lid, which gives you easy access to your navigation while driving. The standard radio system is basic, but it offers Bluetooth and is connected to 4 speakers. What more do you need?

However, the Figo also has its flaws. Firstly, the steering wheel is only adjustable for rake and does not come equipped with mounted steering controls. We also found rear legroom to be tight; taller rear passengers will probably struggle to find comfort on the rear bench.

Also, with a bit of prodding and poking, we discovered that some of the cabin's plastic trims are of marginal quality. The storage area ahead of the gear lever felt fragile and its rubber floor finishing came undone far too easily. What's more, the plastic trim around the gear lever felt poorly finished.

We also spent some time in the Ford Figo sedan on our return to Pretoria, but this time equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission. The manual had a positive action and it seems to make the engine’s potential performance far more accessible. Buyers in this segment prefer manual transmissions and the bulk of Figo sales are expected to be manual derivatives.

In terms of safety, 2 airbags, ABS with EBD are fitted as standard.

Final thoughts

We really liked the lively engine in the Figo and we think the stylistic changes will certainly make it more competitive against its newer rivals. Also, buyers should appreciate that Ford now includes a standard 4-year/60 000 km service plan on the Figo, over and above the 4-year/120 000 km warranty, which is included in the purchase price.

However, while this latest Figo is a significant improvement over its predecessor, we are not convinced it has its rivals licked in terms of overall value. Nonetheless, we should have the newcomer on test soon, where we will put it through its paces and make a definitive assessment.

Ford Figo – prices in South Africa (June 2018)
1.5 TiVCT Ambiente Hatch 5MT - R181 300

1.5 TiVCT Trend Hatch 5MT - R190 600

1.5 TiVCT Trend Hatch 6AT - R205 700

1.5 TiVCT Ambiente Sedan 5MT - R187 200

1.5 TiVCT Trend Sedan 5MT - R196 000

https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/ford-figo-2018-launch-review/45166/

Figo 1.jpg
Figo 2.jpg
Figo 3.jpg
Figo 4.jpg
Figo 5.jpg
 
Driving impressions: Ford freshens up its Figo range

It's been a busy time so far for Ford this year with the South African launch of the new Fiesta in May and this week its updated and improved Figo.

It’s a significant improvement to a model which Ford describes as the car that introduces the brand to buyers. Interestingly, the potential customer base for the Figo is people who have never known life without a smart phone. Ford has rationalised the make up so you get either a hatch or sedan with the entry level Ambiente and a higher-specced Trend derivative.

All models are powered by a new 1.5-litre three cylinder petrol engine that pushes out 88kW and 150Nm, mated to either a five-speed manual gearbox or six speed automatic with a conventional torque converter. The auto ‘box is only available in the hatch version and the range-topping Trend is only available with the auto option. The manual derivatives have an EcoMode with a shift indicator that shows you the ideal time to shift up or down for premium fuel consumption.

Externally Ford has reworked the front end with a new bumper design, honeycomb grille and fog lamp surrounds. Chrome inserts in the headlamps also make it stand out more. At the rear the changes are less notable with the tail light cluster tweaked and a new bumper design. Trend models get multi-spoke 14” alloy wheels while updated wheel caps cover the 14” steel wheels of the Ambiente versions. A new ‘White Gold’ colour option is available exclusively on Trend derivatives to complement the carry-over options that can be specified across the range - white, black, smoke, blue, red and silver.

Inside, the dash has been reworked with far fewer buttons and switches. A built in Ford audio unit is standard with an integrated display with bluetooth a USB port as well as a nifty device dock at the top of the dash for connecting and powering smartphones. The door panels get fabric inserts and the seats are covered with a more modern fabric.

The entry-level Ambiente has electric front windows with one-touch operation on the driver’s side, a factory-fitted immobiliser, electric power-assisted steering, tilt adjustment for the steering column and headlight level adjustment.

The fancier Trend models in addition get remote central locking, a belt minder for driver and front passenger, power rear windows with child lock, rear window defroster and a perimeter anti-theft alarm. The Trend automatic also has hill launch assist.

At the media launch this week we got to drive both versions and the impression was that the overall look and feel as well as the quality of this facelifted Figo was a big improvement. The drive took us from Pretoria via the Ford production plant to Cullinan which gave us an opportunity to experience both urban as well some rural roads.

First up was the manual version which had an easy clutch with slick gear changes and a nice turn of speed even up at altitude. Once you get used to three-cylinder engines they make a pleasant purr and it moves through the rev range without too much fuss or restraint. It’s handy when you have to pass slower traffic although we did find that it ran out of steam on a long uphill when passing two or three heavy duty trucks.

Even though it’s a much smaller percentage of sales, after having driven the automatic it would be my choice. The torque converter is incredibly smooth and in sport mode it’s quite spirited but mostly because a lot of its time is likely to be spent in an urban environment with the accompanying traffic snarl ups.

PRICING

1.5 TiVCT Ambiente Hatch R181 300
1.5 TIVCT Trend Hatch R190 600
1.5 TiVCT Trend Hatch AT R205 700
1.5 TiVCT Ambiente Sedan R187 200
1.5 TiVCT Trend Sedan R196 000

All models come standard with Ford Protect, comprising a four-year or 120 000km comprehensive warranty, three years' distance roadside assistance and a four-year or 60 000km service plan, with 15 000km service intervals.

https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/late...ions-ford-freshens-up-its-figo-range-15608292
 
Had a Figo loaner for a week recently and was mighty impressed with comfort, ride and performance. May be our next second car one day as EcoSport has now priced itself away from our budget to get another one.
How strange is this!? Cars are getting pricier to a point where when you want the latest version of the car you got 5years ago, you now might have to get a lower model as the one you got now costs more wtf
 
Ford Figo 1.5 Trend Sedan Test Review - MotorMatters

[video=youtube;y3uMMhp8ztc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3uMMhp8ztc[/video]
6,25 l/100km according to this. Not too bad. One of his better reviews.

Bit off topic but related to the competition of the Figo :

I don't see why we should buy Ford cars in South Africa if Ford can't even sell their hatchback and sedan cars in the USA because they can't compete with the Japanese , never mind the trend towards SUV's etc. Ford will only sell two cars in the USA - Mustang and some other new Focus , no Fiesta etc.
 
6,25 l/100km according to this. Not too bad. One of his better reviews.

Bit off topic but related to the competition of the Figo :

I don't see why we should buy Ford cars in South Africa if Ford can't even sell their hatchback and sedan cars in the USA because they can't compete with the Japanese , never mind the trend towards SUV's etc. Ford will only sell two cars in the USA - Mustang and some other new Focus , no Fiesta etc.

Ford Globally is making weird decisions lately.

Another one being that Ford Australia is only offering the new Fiesta there (in 2019) in ST form. No other model of the the Mk8 Fiesta there but the ST. Where is the logic in that?

In SA we have the exact opposite problem lol
 
Another one being that Ford Australia is only offering the new Fiesta there (in 2019) in ST form. No other model of the the Mk8 Fiesta there but the ST. Where is the logic in that?

And the bigger irony is that Australia has some of the lowest speed limits - hence owning a Lumina SS and an a ST are a complete waste of time IMO
 
My only concern is the cam belt, not chain, that runs in an oil bath.

So I'm not quite up to date on all the technical advances but I enter with caution because:
Ford has ****ed up big time with the Power Drive Transmission.
Honest John has recommended that one should never but a Figo with Power Drive and groot k@k in Australia.

I'll await more feedback on the motor.
 
My only concern is the cam belt, not chain, that runs in an oil bath.

So I'm not quite up to date on all the technical advances but I enter with caution because:
Ford has ****ed up big time with the Power Drive Transmission.
Honest John has recommended that one should never but a Figo with Power Drive and groot k@k in Australia.

I'll await more feedback on the motor.

I am interested to find out what is your view of the MotorMatters channel, not what the oke wears or anything but rather the reviewing of the cars. Is it actually informative?
 
This guy has an opinion and he has the guts to post it on the internet. He doesn't stick and paste, he sticks his face, and his hat and he calls his shots.
For that he deserves some some merit, after all he is trying, good for him.

But now I have to address myself to you. Whatever you post in most cases I've read. You copy and paste. For many who only latch onto this forum and dwell nowhere else, you have great value. I'm sure that you do a great job because they find all their information from your contributions.
I try and tell contributors of my impressions, I'm not perfect but I add my comment of why I think I should add value because of my personal experience instead of 'stick and paste'.
Perhaps I should have sent this as as PM.
 
This guy has an opinion and he has the guts to post it on the internet. He doesn't stick and paste, he sticks his face, and his hat and he calls his shots.
For that he deserves some some merit, after all he is trying, good for him.

But now I have to address myself to you. Whatever you post in most cases I've read. You copy and paste. For many who only latch onto this forum and dwell nowhere else, you have great value. I'm sure that you do a great job because they find all their information from your contributions.
I try and tell contributors of my impressions, I'm not perfect but I add my comment of why I think I should add value because of my personal experience instead of 'stick and paste'.
Perhaps I should have sent this as as PM.

Hear I thought we were on a winning page lol

Kinda obvious it should be a PM instead of a proper derail.

I will wait for that PM & reply accordingly.

No point clogging up this thread with possible back & forth debate like in the past.
 
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