Ford is a bit missing from India’s automotive market. They updated the Endeavour with a new 2.0-litre diesel engine, but that is it. None of their other cars have seen any substantial change for quite some time now. Last year, Mahindra and Ford formed a joint venture. Due to this Mahindra now holds 51 percent controlling stake and Ford hold 49 percent. This has allowed both the manufacturers to launch new vehicles in partnership. So, the new vehicles will be sharing the platform and engines. As of now, we know that there will be 6 new models from Ford that will be launching in 2021 and today we list them down:
Focus
Ford has decided to launch the Focus hatchback as a CBU or Completely Built Unit. This means that Ford can bring 2,500 units for India. Ford Focus is bigger than your typical hatchback. It is bigger than compact-SUVs so it will offer more space and will also be built better being a CBU. Ford Focus is powered by a 1.0-litre EcoBoost three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces 125 PS of max power. There will also be a more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine available which produces 160 PS of max power. We expect that being a CBU unit, the car should get available in India in the first half of 2021. We expect that the Focus should be priced around Rs. 30 lakhs to Rs. 35 lakhs ex-showroom. It will be rivalling the Mini Cooper S.
Also read: Meet India”s LOUDEST Ford Mustang muscle car on video
Focus ST
Focus ST is the hot hatch of the Focus. It gets a host of performance-oriented upgrades such as automatic rev-matching, electronically limited-slip differential, adaptive suspension with Continuously Controlled Damping Technology, twin exhaust tips and Recaro sport seats. It is expected to be priced around Rs. 45 lakhs and it should get launched in India in the first half of 2021. It is so expensive because it will also be a CBU import. Powering this hot hatch will be a 2.3-litre Ecoboost petrol engine that churns out 280 PS of max power and a peak torque output of 420 Nm. The engine will be mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed automatic gearbox.
Raptor Ranger
The Ranger Raptor was recently spotted on our country roads and Ford has confirmed that they will be launching Ranger Raptor as a CBU unit. It will be limited to 2,500 units and will cost a whopping Rs. 75 lakhs. But then it is one of a kind as there are no high-performance pick-up trucks to be found in the Indian automotive market. The Ranger is an Endeavour (or Everest in the international market) underneath. The Ranger Raptor will be powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged diesel engine. It generates a maximum power of 213 PS and peak torque of 500 Nm. It will be mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox which comes with Ford’s SelectShift technology. This is the same transmission that we have seen on the latest Endeavour. The Ranger Raptor is basically a racing, off-road truck from the factory. It gets reinforced chassis, 2.5-inch off-roading-spec Fox suspension, BAJA mode, 30 percent extra wheel travel, ground clearance is a massive 283mm and a lot more. The only competition to the Ranger Raptor is the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon which is also a true off-roader and costs Rs. 68.94 lakhs ex-showroom.
Figo
It has been a while since Figo received an update due to which it has fallen behind the competition. However, Ford has confirmed that they will be launching an all-new Figo for the Indian market. The new hatchback is expected to hit the Indian market by the end of 2021. Powering the 2021 Figo will be Mahindra’s mStallion petrol engine that was showcased at the Auto Expo 2020. The 1.2-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine will be first launched with the XUV300 Sportz. It produces 130 PS of max power and a peak torque output of 230 Nm. Having said that we expect Ford to detune the engine to around 110 PS as the competitors are also producing around 110 or 120 PS. Rivalling the Ford Figo will be the recently launched Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Polo, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Toyota Glanza and the Tata Altroz.
Ford Ecosport Turbo
Ford Ecosport was once the best selling compact SUV. However, the competition has caught up and is now much better than the ageing Ecosport. As a mid-life update, Ford will offer a turbo petrol engine next year. It will be the same engine as the XUV300 Sportz. So, it will produce 130 PS of max power and a peak torque output of 230 Nm. Currently, the Ecosport is offered with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. The petrol engine produces 122 PS of max power and 149 Nm of peak torque whereas the diesel engine produces 100 PS of max power and 215 Nm of peak torque. Both the engines get a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. It is only the petrol engine that is offered with a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The 2021 Ecosport will be competing against the Kia Sonet, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Nissan Magnite, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue and the upcoming Renault Kiger.
New XUV500 based SUV
After the joint venture between the Mahindra and Ford, the new SUV will be the first product from Ford. The new SUV was recently spotted in our country. The new SUV will be based on the new generation of XUV500 which will be launching next year. So, the Ford will share the underpinnings, chassis, engines and the suspension setup with the XUV500. Both the SUVs will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine which will produce around 190 PS. There will also be a 2.2-litre diesel engine producing 185 PS. The new Ford SUV will be competing against MG Hector, Kia Seltos, Tata Harrier and the Hyundai Creta.
Also read: All-new 2020 Hyundai i20 premium hatchback: India-spec version REVEALED (Video)
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