2018 Ford Aspire (facelift) demo model spotted at a dealership
Ford India communicated to us that it will introduce a new product on 4 October. The company is preparing to launch the 2018 Ford Aspire (facelift) to take on the new Honda Amaze & Maruti Dzire, sales of which have exploded since their generation shifts. The mid-cycle update for the Aspire will leave it with styling changes, additional features, and a new petrol engine.
A new spy pic from Team-BHP reveals that dealerships have started receiving demo models ahead of the official launch.
The styling of the 2018 Ford Aspire is in sync with that of the 2018 Ford Ka+, the export-spec model from Ford's Gujarat plant. The front-end is characterised by a sleeker grille that has a chrome finish. The new front bumper looks bolder and sports chrome embellishments around the foglamp housings.
The side profile looks fresher owing to a set of new multi-spoke alloy wheels that will be available on the Titanium trim. At the rear-end, the facelift offers a new bumper that looks a tad sportier owing to the faux air vents at its edges. Ford has tried to amp-up the looks in a budget to give the car maximum presence.
On the inside, the 2018 Ford Aspire (facelift) features an updated dashboard with a new centre console. It looks inspired from the Freestyle and carries a touchscreen display for the SYNC3 infotainment unit. There's also a push start-stop button located close to the instrument console. Besides these changes, the beige-black interior of the Aspire will remain unchanged.
The current 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine makes way for a new 1.2-litre three-cylinder unit from the Dragon Series of motors. It is the same engine under the hood of the Freestyle. It outputs a maximum power of 96 PS and a peak torque of 120 Nm. Transmission options will include a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The diesel variants will feature the current 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 100 PS and 215 Nm. It will continue with the 5-speed manual transmission.
Also Read- 2018 Ford Aspire (facelift) spied uncamouflaged ahead of 4 October launch
With an average monthly sales figure of 1083 units*, the Ford Aspire is far less popular than the Maruti Dzire (24,099 units*). The launch of the better-looking 2018 Ford Aspire (facelift) should help its manufacturer find more buyers for the sub-4-metre sedan this festival season.
*March 2018 - August 2018
[Image source - team-bhp.com]