Ford Figo Bloggers Drive begins; our Figo says Hi!
The Ford Figo has rolled back into our office as part of Ford India’s “Ford Figo Bloggers Drive,” which was flagged off today.
The competition is part of the company’s initiative to engage readers on some hand-picked blogs and websites. There are some amazing Figo goodies for the taking, so read on if you wish to lay your hands on them.
How's that for an angry face?
Latest: How many people can you fit into a Figo? (Video)
Day 3: Oscar, our favorite dog, has a good with the Figo
Day 2 of Bloggers Drive: Light-painting of the Ford Figo
We took the Figo into some dark lanes of Noida, and attempted to create a light-painting of the Figo with a flashlight and a camera on a tripod. See what came out!
For the next five days, we (and the competing sites) will be posting stories and videos about the Figo. All you have to do is to leave as many intelligent comments and feedback as you want to. Sorry, “nice review” won’t classify as intelligent or a comment. At the end of the week, the site with the highest quality comments would be declared winner. If we win, we’ll reward our top 10 commenters with the gifts worth about Rs 50,000, courtesy of Ford.
So keep an eye out for our posts. And keep those comments coming.
Oh, and for a change, today we’ll let the Figo speak for itself.
O HAI! I’M FIGO!
I’ll keep the introduction short, because most of you would remember me, Figo, being featured on DWS in April (Read Ford Figo diesel road test). The folks here then had given me a thumbs-up for spaciousness, ride quality, handling and, above all, affordability.
But the wheels, I’m told, they’re a turning — with the arrival of the Volkswagen Polo. Now I’m not the kind that toots my horn, but I’m unique, and here’s why.
Even before I get started, I can see the DWS guys nod their heads in approval.
Big-Car Feel: I may be a hatchback, but that doesn’t mean I’m small. The roomy cabin space can make even the Hyundai i20 and Skoda Fabia feel threatened.
Color: You could own me in seven different colors but lime green, or Squeeze, as Ford calls it, suits me best. It’s fresh, trendy and lends me a very summery appeal. I’m sure the ladies wouldn’t stop gushing. And oh, it does grab a few eyeballs, all green with envy, I suppose.
Trim: Whatever anyone may have to say about the optional Coral Red treatment on the Titanium series, I find it a sporty and red-hot in appeal. The red illumination on the gauges, audio and controls make my dash seem straight out of some sci-fi movie.
Aircon: Figo, in colloquial Italian, means cool and hey, I do live up to my name! The aircon system’s large compressor chills up the cabin in minutes, even on the lowest blower setting. The 360-degree adjustable vents let users ensure optimum cooling.
Bluetooth: Very few of my peers can claim this quality. Sync your Bluetooth phone, and then tap on the redial button of the audio screen to call the last number used. You can even access your phonebook, missed calls, received calls, dialled numbers and redial though my speakers. You can play music in the audio system even without having to insert the ignition key. I turn it off automatically after an hour of playing.
Boot space: At 284 liters, I’ve got the largest boot among all current B-segment cars. That’s 4 liters more than the Volkswagen Polo’s, but since when did extra space hurt?
Photos, clockwise from top left: The Ford Figo's panic brake light, doors, wind-up door at the rear, powered rear view mirror, music system with Bluetooth connection to mobile phone, and pedal placement.
Now, go ahead and post your comments and questions, and we shall see how we do!
Abhijeet Mukherjee said on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 1:18
I like the looks and features, but I am waiting for a more powerful Figo – say around 100 bhp. However, I’d still recommend this car in its current avatar.
George said on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 1:42
Omission of power windows at the back is a big turn off considering the kind of competition Figo has to expect. Looks like Ford have dug into their parts bin and put together pieces of their old cars to build the Figo. The car looks every bit India specific. Wonder if they’ll even launch it in European markets. They should have brought in the classy new Fiesta hatch or a face-lifted Fusion atleast. Modern features like bluetooth sync are welcome always.
Alex Ion said on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 3:14
Okay, now that HAS to be fun to drive
nishith rao said on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 7:10
iam 19yrs old and know pretty much things about cars and stuff and have driven many cars..this figo which i own is so something different from its segmental cars..this car is fitted with basic and realy dependable features but it wil make you feel like your sitting in fiesta or chevy optra o other sedans.because from inside the car the feeling of the car is just like a sedan with its proper feet rest and the long simple black dashboard..you know iam telling my brother well in advance that if you want to buy any car in future please go for ford its just a value for money car and makes you feel proud of what you drive on your hands
Shankar said on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 11:47
Hi! I wrote a poem which says all…..
I’ve been wanting this car for a while,
It’s got attitude, it’s got style.
It’s got the best value for money,
It’s got everything, that you want honey.
The purr of the engine, the hum of the a/c,
The bluetooth system, makes me go crazy.
Attending calls on my mobile phone,
Look Ma, no hands, how your son has grown
There’s space inside for the whole family,
My parents, my wife, my children & me.
You could set camp in the boot behind,
The maximum space in any hatchback you’ll find
The auto rear view mirrors, the remote car key,
Engine immobiliser, ensure complete safety
When I fill up the tank, I’m all smiles,
No need to worry, for the next thousand miles
Wherever we go, we go as one,
My Figo & I, we have so much fun
Shankar
tirtha choudhury said on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 14:24
I like the price of figo most………………..it comes at such a affordable price so far as features of the car is concerned.This is why it is selling like hot cakes………#2 i will take my girlfriend anywhere in my figo because she will enjoy the car embiance more then where she is going.She will definately get impress…..
Siddharth said on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 14:52
When GenNext Journos who r editors/Journos/Correspondents –All -in-one package, come out with something..its ought to be creditworthy! and the ‘Blogers Fiog drive’ on account of Digital initiatives by once a Detroit Giant , surely looks promising…
First thing that comes to my mind when i say figo is Luís figo!!
and when this post said’Hi i am Figo’..i jumped , as if it was Luís himself writing for dancewithshadows.com!!
but to my surprise it was the Car that has same agility and panache that Luís Figo has!!!!
The way Luís cuts covers..is the way Figo cuts Corners!
The way Luís turns out winner is the way Figo has turned out winner among all ‘others’(with 25k bookings in just 100 days!)
and the list goes on………..
Shankar said on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 18:11
Hi! According to me, the reason why the Figo has become such a popular car is because of their concept. Understand that the Ford Team First created an imaginary customer called Sandeep, a typical Indian, aged about 27 yrs, newly married, living with parents and holding a professional degree.
He has just started moving up his career ladder and is looking to buy a car with good looks, smart attitude, smooth drive to relieve him of his work pressures, listen to music, which is his favourite hobby, and loaded with utilities.
He cannot pay a very high price and should get value for money. There must be sufficient space to take his family together. His wife must enjoy the drive.
I’m sure, we can all see a little of Sandeep in ourselves. Ford made a car that is tailor made for all our requirements, rather than make us buy a car and compromise on what we want, or be burdened with a high price.
Well Done Ford, now just ensure that you are able to handle the huge sales volumes and back it up with Good, inexpensive Service…
Remember, a silent customer may not be a happy customer.
Mathew said on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 21:57
It seems like Ford has got everything right this time. The big car feel, superb driveability, elegant styling, some posh touches and worth every penny of its price – now there is no way such a combination can go wrong. Just hope that the Ford dealership and service network doesn’t let them down.
K C S MENON said on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, 7:49
Seen most of the FORD cars in USA,but FIGO will hit the indian market ,with small price a BIG CAR
Shalini said on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, 13:50
The small big car — is how I would like to describe this machine. Absolutely FIGOlicious! This car suits the Indian sensibilities and also the pockets of the upwardly mobile generation — absolutely in sync with the current trend and style. Moving around the city cannot be more fun if you drive this sexy machine — zip, zap and zoom!
Heena said on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, 14:44
It just took me a drive to fall in love with this cool lemon machine. I think it has got all that a woman like me would like to have in her hatchback. The space it provides, can easily fit the big and small everyday stuff that u need to carry along. The not-so-confusing technology makes it more user-friendly. I always wondered why all the cars have the same old boring colour themes when it comes to its interiors, but Figo’s new coral red treatment on the dash makes it absolutely stylish and more my kind
Indrani Basu said on Thursday, July 29, 2010, 16:58
Wow. I don’t know if its the review, or the features of the car (or maybe a combination of both)– But it has gotten me really excited about this car! I had been hearing and watching out for the Polo since it was launched in India but this review has sent me googling all info I can get on this car! Sounds like a rad machine, and man I wish I could go zooming in this beauty! Seriously impressed. Thanks for the review!
Tanvi said on Thursday, July 29, 2010, 19:08
Hi Figo! No doubt you live up to your name.
Though I have always been a Ford fan, the squeeze has taken me by surprise. Looks and interiors apart, the bluetooth function and the fact that it has a diesel variant are its USPs.
Keerthana Balajee Nagarajan said on Thursday, July 29, 2010, 19:18
Wow! the Space, the lime green colour and add to that the Bluetooth technology! I am already tempted to own you dear Figo!
Yoshita said on Thursday, July 29, 2010, 19:23
That looks like one helluva fun and affordable ride. Very tempting.
Tomojit Basu said on Thursday, July 29, 2010, 20:12
I doubt I could pen a poem in the hopes of winning 50 grand worth of Ford goodies, but honestly, it’s about time some fun-on-wheels reared their heads on Indian roads and the Figo looks like it can upset it’s competition despite the lack of rear power-windows (people, you have fingers, how much lazier can you get?!). Looking forward to taking it out on the road, once I have the moolah to bed it that is.
Cheers Ford, now put out more cars within shorter intervals.
Anil said on Friday, July 30, 2010, 1:00
I think the Bluetooth feature, as on the Figo, should be made standard on all cars as that would free up the need for the driver to hold the steering wheel.
A Week with the Figo – Ford Figo Bloggers Drive | Driving Ford said on Friday, July 30, 2010, 14:18
[...] with Shadows kicked off their series with greetings from the Figo. We love the ‘Oh Hai, I’m Figo’ headline. And when Ajit wrote ‘the roomy cabin space can [...]
Gaurav Jha said on Saturday, July 31, 2010, 12:11
Looks like it pretty much answers most of my questions. How does the Figo compare to the latest Nissan child? I like the fact that you can sync your bluetooth phone with this car. That’s pretty handy for those who constantly have to take calls while on the move.
vcvijayan said on Tuesday, August 10, 2010, 19:56
I have waited for one year for buy a car. Finally i found Ford Figo Titanium is comfortable for me in all the cases. Thank you for Ford and figo team members for satisfying customers thought. It is very tough to satisfy the customers but you guys did it.