Ford is gearing up to bring out the facelifted version of Figo on 15th March. Ahead of the launch, the US car maker has partnered with dating app Tinder as a marketing exercise. The partnership has spawned a contest wherein the lucky winners will get the chance to go on a free date night and be featured in a social video with the facelifted Ford Figo.
Ford Figo is in its second generation in India as of now and made quite a splash after its launch in 2010. The hatchback from the US car giant went on to bag several awards including the prestigious 2011 Indian Car of the Year Award. Sales wise as well, Figo has always been a numbers puller for the esteemed US car maker.
The new partnership between Ford and Tinder hints at the segment the company is trying to capture with this car. Aimed at mostly young customers, Ford aims to ride the relatability wagon by introducing the contest. Talking of the contest, Ford says the facelifted version of Figo will prove to be a stellar match for the young audience. To participate the users of Tinder will have to swipe right on the Figo and participate in a conversation aimed at emphasizing the fun-to-drive factor of the new Figo.
In a purely luck based event, the users who swipe right on Tinder and manage to garner a match will be offered a free date night after the launch of Figo in India. Ford has stated that the date night with Figo will be equally exciting as the all-new hatchback. The date night will come with an all-expenses paid trip, drive with other lucky winners, and an opportunity to star in the social video.
Ford India’s VP for marketing Rahul Gautam said that the updated version of the Figo is for the customer seeking a different path than the crowd. He said the partnership with Tinder is a mark of what the facelifted version of Figo symbolizes and aims to speak to audiences in an effective, fun and engaging manner.
The new facelifted Figo has a grille reminiscent of the Aspire sedan, flanking the grille are new headlamps. The fog lamps are neatly located on the black insert that sits underneath the new bumper at the front. The wheels too have been upgraded, and the Figo now has sporty looking 15-inch black alloy wheels, these wheels will be available on the top models only. The overall design and silhouette of the car is unchanged and the facelift only aims to perking up the looks of Figo and giving it a more premium appearance.
Coming to the engine department, the facelifted hatchback will now be offered with 2 new petrol engines. The first will be the 1.2-litre Dragon 3-pot engine rated for 94 PS and 120 Nm, while the other is the updated 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine rated for 123 PS-150 Nm. While the smaller 1.2-litre petrol unit will come with a 5-speed manual, the larger 1.5-litre petrol will be paired with an automatic transmission. The diesel engine remains unchanged and the 1.5-litre unit (100 PS-215 Nm) will be offered with a 5-speed manual.