Ford Figo facelift likely to gain push-button start and keyless entry

If you have declared war with the internet or not followed IAB in recent weeks, which is more or less the same thing, you would be excited to hear that Ford is preparing a mid-life facelift for the Figo in India.

A yellow Figo test mule was spotted on the streets of Chennai with slight camouflage on the front and the rear fascia last month by a Motor Vikatan reader.

Early reports suggests that it will only be a minor nip and tuck job to keep things fresh. Yesterday our good friend Gokulraj of ZapStore.com spotted this car near his work place. He couldn't get an image, but communicated immediately over the phone that the changes are minor if the limited camouflage is anything to go by.

In an interesting revelation from TheAutomotiveIndia, we're able to deduce that the facelifted Ford Figo may get a Start-Stop button and Keyless Go to keep up with the likes of Nissan Micra and Hyundai i20. Ford India has demonstrated this technology on a demo model in a discrete location and here are the highlights:

• The Keyless Go function is fairly simple – No need to remove the keys and unlock the car; the car will unlock itself as long as you have the remote key in your pocket. All you have to do is to touch the request sensor which is located on the outside door handle to open the door.

• The Start-Stop button is creeping into B-Segment cars now. However, there's a catch in the Ford Figo. You will have to press the button thrice to start the car. The initial touch enables the music system, second activates the electrical and the third cranks the engine. In truth it is a push-push-push-button start.

TheAutomotiveIndia also reports that the technology could be offered as an accessory to present Figo customers for an extra sum of Rs 30,000, which is a bit steep. It is only obvious for Ford India to incorporate the technology in the upcoming facelift as most competitors in its segment are up to something all the time.

[Source: TheAutomotiveIndia.com]