SCOOP! Global debut of Ford compact sedan concept at Auto Expo 2014

Ford’s Auto Expo 2014 show star won’t be an all-new hatchback concept as many are expecting, but a four-door, sub-four-metre sedan that will make its global debut in India.  

The production version of this all-new sedan is essentially the three-box derivative of the next-generation Figo (codename: B562), and will replace the Fiesta Classic when it goes on sale in 2015. This new Ford compact sedan will be a future Maruti Dzire and Honda Amaze rival and the first sub-four-metre sedan in Ford’s range. It is likely that Ford will launch the sedan version before the hatchback, which in turn will eventually replace the current Ford Figo. 

 

As you can see from our computer-generated image, the concept car uses the same modern styling treatment that’s making its way across Ford’s global hatchback and sedan range. This includes the Aston Martin-like hexagonal grille, slightly fussy chin and attractive, slim wraparound headlamps, which on the concept reflect the hexagonal theme in their detailing. In comparison to the elegant and modern-looking nose, the sides of the car look a little plain, and this likely reflects the sheet metal cost-savings that will be present on the production model.

 

Speaking of which, the production version of this concept will be built on the same B2E platform as the Ford EcoSport and Fiesta, albeit with some costs removed. However, it will retain a similar dashboard and instrument panel to the current Fiesta, and it will use electric power steering. One of the biggest complaints with the Fiesta is of its cramped cabin, and the good news is that since this new car will be taller than the Fiesta, it will make better use of vertical space in the cabin, a la the Maruti Wagon R. A higher roof and seats placed higher up will effectively give passengers more room to stretch out. The Ford Ka concept hatchback, which previews the next-gen Figo and was shown in Brazil late last year, measured 3.96 metres in length, and for the production sedan version, Ford will likely stretch it cleverly to 3.99 metres, as it did with the EcoSport.

 

The sedan could be powered by Ford’s 1.2-litre petrol engine, its 1.5-litre ‘Sigma’ petrol or the 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol, and also the 1.5-litre DV5 turbo-diesel engine. There is also a possibility that an 80bhp, 999cc petrol engine, likely to be derived from the 1.0-litre EcoBoost but without the turbo, could also find its way into this new compact saloon’s engine bay.