The Figo’s nose is without a doubt the most attractive part of the car, sporting Ford’s Kinetic Design language. The slim upper grille and huge anvil-like lower grille are typical Kinetic Design elements, which work brilliantly to offer a sporty and contemporary look. Details like the very technical-looking headlamps and the prominent wheel arches add to the dramatic-looking front end.
Start moving back and the Figo rapidly loses its modern looks and moves a generation back to betray its roots, which lie in the previous Mark V Fiesta (code: B256) from 2003. Though Ford has re-skinned most of the car by replacing almost all the body panels, the large glass area and low window line point look stylistically outdated. Move over to the rear of the car and the Figo redeems itself with a completely re-designed tailgate and a new vertical tail-lamp cluster. To meet brutal cost targets, Ford had no choice but to retain some of the panels from the previous-generation European Fiesta, for the Figo.
The Figo is based on the tried-and-tested Fiesta platform that’s successfully sold in India. In fact, the underpinnings are almost identical to the saloon and that’s a good thing. You get the same tough build (the doors shut with a big-car thud) and the same brilliant suspension and steering systems. The front struts with the lower A-arms are mounted on a tough sub-frame for rigidity and road isolation and the Figo gets a long 170mm travel suspension. The ‘valveing’ on the rear dampers has also been altered to make ride more comfortable and Ford has reduced steering effort at low speeds in accordance with customer demand. For all practical purposes, the Figo is a Fiesta without a boot and around 20kg lighter.