Funky new Ford Figo

The Figo isn't head-turningly good-looking, but it suits the city and the small family.

In pavement pose it's quite a pretty little compact which is likely to appeal as much to the younger set of first-time new car buyers as it will to the last time new car buyers, with special appeal methinks to the species from Venus.

Much of the Figo's underpinnings, including its suspension, steering, brakes, exhaust and other bits and pieces are straight from the Fiesta parts bin although at the launch Ford went to great lengths to point out that these parts have been tweaked, tested and adapted specially for the Figo.

Two choices, and no plans for an automatic

The Indian Fiesta, sorry, Figo, is available locally with a choice of two engine derivatives - a 1.4l petrol Duratec and a 1.4l Turbo Diesel Duratorq. There is also a lower specced petrol model with the same 1.4l engine.

All models have five-speed manual transmissions and there are no plans for an automatic option.

The Figo is quite a pretty little beast, not that it will cause any neck injuries from spinning heads as it cruises down the main street, but it is perfect for the city and big enough for a small family.

On the launch drive (preceded by a quick and pleasant ride from the OR Tambo Airport to Sandton in the fast, quiet and comfortable (but quite expensive at R100 one-way) Gautrain, we plodded through a few seedy parts of Jozi and along crowded motorways in both the new Figo models and although they don't exactly exude much of a wow factor, they are both competent, comfortable and pleasant little city and suburban dwellers.

The ride is comfortable, although a little bouncy for rear seat passengers.

Opinions were divided as to which of the two models were preferred, but to me the clear winner of the two is the growly little oil burner (even though it started up in the parking arcade in a cloud of black smoke).

I found the engine responsive and well matched to the slightly high-ratio gearbox and although the turbo-charged 51Kw/160Nm underfoot is never going to leave you breathless it trots on enthusiastically enough not to be intimidated by fast flowing motorway traffic.

Easy on the wallet when it comes to consumption

The thin Highveld air seemed to take its toll on the less powerful petrol derivative which churns out only 62kW and 127Nm, but even the petrol burner was never hassled or embarrassed on the motorway.

Ford claims the petrol model will do the mandatory speed measurement of 0-100km/h in 13,1 seconds, compared to the diesel's even sleepier 15,8 seconds. Maximum speed for the petrol is given as 169km/h and for the diesel it is three kilometres less at 163km/h.

Nice and environmentally friendly the petrol engines only pour foul emission out at a rate of 156g/km and the diesel even less at136g/km. Ford gives fuel consumption figures in the combined cycle for the petrol engine as 6.6 litre/100km and for the diesel at 5.3-litre/100km which certainly is purse and wallet friendly.

The steering of the Figo is pleasantly weighted and quite responsive and direct for such a small five-door.

Comfy, but bouncy in the back

The ride is comfortable, although a little bouncy for rear seat passengers. There was no real opportunity to test its cornering abilities but then nobody who drives a pikkie like this is going to hurl it around corners at breakneck speed in any case.

The Figo has a nice range of features, but still retains keep-fit (winder-operated) windows. A pity.

click to enlarge

Of the things that I liked about the Figo is that is boxes above its weight in terms of build quality. It really feels like a more expensive car - and that's quite something, considering it is screwed and glued together in India which, although it builds tough and solid vehicles, is not renowned for top-notch quality finishes.

The new baby Ford is well insulated against wind and road noises although the diesel growl was quite audible inside the cabin, but only when you really pour on the coals.

Impressive features of the Figo include MP3/iPod connectivity, four-speaker sound system with speed sensing volume, dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and PATS (Passive Anti Theft System), high-mounted brake lights, central locking, keyless entry, remote trunk release button and many more little luxuries to make the living quarters a really pleasant place to be.

Pity about the keep-fit windows

Strange then that one still needs to wind the windows up and down with a rather old-fashioned handle which is decidedly uncool...

The Figo boxes above its weight in terms of build quality.

Both petrol and diesel models come with a four-year/120 000km warranty, three-year/ unlimited distance roadside assistance, a five-year unlimited KM corrosion warranty and an optional service plan.

All in all, quite an attractive package, unfortunately quite pricey at R125 000 for the two top petrol and diesel models, and at R109 900 for the lesser specced petrol version.

What's more, it also steps into the ring against really tough opponents such as the VW Vivo, Toyota Yaris, the Suzuki Swift, Hyundai i10 and Chevy's popular Spark.

But although it may not be a natural first choice in this company it is worth a test drive because it is after all a Ford and it is well-made, classily kitted out and as cool as an American-Indian-Italian-South African can be.

The Figo