Ford Aspire 'Trip' to be launched for the commercial segment

Prolonging the life of old models by shifting them to the commercial segment has become the norm of sub-4 metre cars. Ford India will copy this strategy for the Aspire, which will get a facelift this month.

As per Gaadiwaadi, Ford will gift the original Aspire a second life in the commercial segment with a ‘Trip’ suffix. The company will extend it in a basic grade comprising the black grille with black surround, black exterior mirrors without integrated turn indicators, body-coloured B-pillars, black door handles and steel wheels without wheel covers. A blue stripe runs from the tip of the headlamps to the tail lamps.

The Ford Aspire Trip will likely have a bare-bones interior. Still, one can expect the cabin laid in Charcoal Black and Light Oak for a dual-tone theme. Unlike the standard variant, the Trip will likely come with a speed governor with the limit set at 100 km/h. The speed limit for taxis was increased from 80 km/h to 100 km/h earlier this year.

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With the mid-cycle update, the older petrol engines are getting replaced with new three-cylinder units from the 'Dragon' family. In addition to the old or new 1.2-litre petrol engine, the Trip variant will get the 1.5-litre diesel engine. Interestingly, a factory-fitted CNG kit is undergoing road testing in the Figo, and it could end up finding its place on the Aspire taxi special.

The Ford Aspire Trip will compete with the Maruti Tour S and the Hyundai Xcent Prime.

[Image Source: gaadiwaadi.com]