New Ford Figo twins use 1.2L TiVCT petrol, retuned 1.5L diesel - IAB Report

Both cars will be made in Gujarat. 

The new Ford Figo hatchback and compact sedan will launch this year, with production slated to commence at Ford's new Sanand manufacturing plant before the end of March 2015 (in case of the compact sedan).

Multiple sources say that the new Figo twins will feature a newly developed engine. The petrol engine in question is a 1.2-liter four-cylinder unit with Ford's TiVCT technology (Variable Cam Timing). This unit is nothing but the old Figo's 1.2-liter naturally aspirated motor with a new cylinder head and peripherals, that's fully localized.

Where the engine makes 71 PS on the current Figo, thanks to the added tech, this motor will produce close to 85 PS on the new Figo and compact sedan, putting it at par with B-segment rivals like the Swift, Bolt and Grand i10 (Dzire, Amaze, Zest and Xcent in the compact sedan segment).

Ford will not equip these cars with the Classic's 1.4-liter diesel engine, but instead, sources say that a retuned version of the 1.5-liter Duratorq diesel will be powering the Figo twins. Where this engine makes 91 PS on the EcoSport and Fiesta, on the hatch and sedan, even if the output is dialed up, it will be calibrated for "excellent" fuel efficiency, a source said.

Ford is also believed to have acted upon customer feedback that these engines could use a bit more grunt under full load.

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While initially the new Figos were planned to launch with a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine (Ecoboost), the cost aspect has turned the tide in favor of the old 1.2 with TiVCT technology, we learn.

Ford's automatic transmission (6-speed Powershift) currently only comes with the 1.5-liter TiCVT petrol engine on the EcoSport and formerly on the Fiesta. If Ford, like on the EcoSport, has chosen not to pair it with a smaller engine, then this variant will not qualify for excise duty benefits due to the higher displacement. The upside is that the cars would outclass, in performance, all naturally-aspirated motors in its price range.

When contacted on the new engine, Ford India declined to comment.