Ford C-Segment SUV Design Almost Completed by Pininfarina. The front design Spotted Ahead of Launch. The spy image reveals the new attractive front chrome and glassy black design and Mustang-inspired LED DRL's. Also, It will get a completely different design, different wheelbase and It will be more enthusiast-focused, gives better driving dynamics than XUV500.

Ford India and Mahindra had formed a strategic alliance last year. The collaboration, using the strengths of both companies to deliver operational excellence and value to stakeholders. The partnership will allow Ford and Mahindra to offer a new product to

customers faster than before and will deliver profitable growth to both companies.  We have more received news that Ford’s new line-up of SUVs from the Ford-Mahindra joint venture will be designed by Italian design house Pininfarina which itself is now owned by Mahindra.

Ford Midsize SUV:

 This new mid-size 5 seat Ford C segment SUV is likely to be based on the next-generation Mahindra XUV500 which is currently in the testing phase. Both, the underpinnings and the powertrain of the XUV500 will be shared with the Ford SUV. The ford Version of the SUV will get a completely new design and different wheelbase and it will be enthusiasts focused and get better driving dynamics than the XUV590.   The Mahindra XUV500 is likely to be powered by a mHawk 2.2-litre diesel producing 156PS and a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine from the mStallion engine family producing around 170PS. The new Ford ‘CX757’ SUV will rival the Jeep Compass, Tata Harrier and the MG Hector in the Indian market with a market launch expected to happen only after the launch of the new XUV 500 next year.

Ford Compact SUV:

 A smaller 4300mm length B-SUV will be launched after the C segment SUV. Codenamed ‘BX745’, the B segment SUV is likely to be based on an extended version of the XUV300 and is also expected to be designed by Pininfarina. The B-SUV is likely to arrive with a 1.5-litre TGDi (turbo-petrol) from Mahindra mStallion family producing around 150PS and a 1.5-litre diesel producing 120PS as well. The smaller B segment SUV will compete against the best selling Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos when launched later in 2022. 

Ford Sub Compact SUV:

  The last of the three new SUVs is the next-generation Ford EcoSport subcompact SUV. This new EcoSport is codenamed ‘BX744’ and is also likely to get the design inputs for Pininfarina. The next-generation EcoSport is expected to be powered by the Mahindra XUV300’s 1.2-litre TGDi (turbo-petrol) engine producing 130PS along with the familiar 1.5L 4 cyl diesel engine producing 120PS.

Stay tuned for further information on these new SUVs from the Ford-Mahindra alliance.

Source

Tata Motors will be launching their flagship Safari 7-seat SUV on 26th January 2021. The new gen Safari is essentially the 7 seat extended version of the Harrier 5 seat SUV based on the Land Rover derived OMEGA arc platform. Earlier this SUV was named the Buzzard at the Geneva auto expo, which was then changed to Gravitas for the Delhi auto expo last year. Now, Tata motors has finalized that it will be the successor to legendary and iconic Safari SUV.

Safari Dark and Camo Edition Rendered By TeamAutoTrend Studio.

Based on the Harrier, the Safari

will be around 60mm longer than the Harrier to accommodate the extra 2 seats while also being taller to provide better headroom for the 3rd row. Except for the larger dimensions and extra seats, the Safari will be largely similar to the 5-seat Harrier. However, the front grille will receive a slightly different treatment, featuring the signature Tri-arrow pattern finished in Chrome.

The tailgate will be more upright, giving the Safari a more boxy appearance and the SUV will also feature long functional roof rails for lifestyle utility. The top spec variants will receive 18” dual tone alloy wheels with the design similar to the Harrier's whereas the lower spec variants will carry forward the exact same 17” alloy wheels seen on the Harrier’s lower variants. The higher variants are also likely to feature a Panoramic sunroof.

The new Safari will be available in 6 or 7 seat configuration.

Other than these external differences, the Safari will carry forward the same features as on the Harrier:

• Xenon Projector headlamps with LED DRLs

• Auto folding ORVMs

• Rear wiper and defogger

• 18” Alloy wheels

• Automatic climate control

• Auto headlamps & wipers

• Cruise control

• 8.8” Touchscreen system

• Android auto & Apple carplay

• Harman audio system with 9 speakers

• Connect Next app suite

• Reverse camera

• 6 way Power adjustable driver seat with lumbar support

• Off White Leather upholstery

• Auto dimming IRVM

• Ambient mood lighting

• Rear centre armrest

• Smart key with Push button start

• Follow me headlamps

• Terrain response modes : Rough, Wet and City

Safety:

       Safety features on the Safari will include:

• ABS with EBD

• All wheel disc brakes

• Corner stability control

• 6 airbags

• Electronic Parking brake

• Electronic stability program

• Traction control

• Hill hold control

• Hill descent control

• Roll over mitigation

• Electronic brake prefill

• Hydraulic brake assist

• Brake disc wiping

• Perimetric alarm system

• Pretensioner seatbelts

Powertrains:

       The Safari, just like the Harrier will be available with a diesel engine mated to either a 6 speed manual transmission or a 6 speed torque converter automatic transmission. The 2L Kryotec turbo diesel produces 170PS Power and 350NM torque. From the XM variant onwards, the Safari will be available with three drive modes; Eco, City and Sport.

Launch & price:

        The new Safari is expected to be priced from ?15L to ?20L for the Manual variants and ?17.5L to ?21L for the Automatic variants. When launched on 26th January, Tata’s new flagship SUV will compete against the likes of the MG Hector plus and the next generation Mahindra XUV500. Stay tuned for further updates.

Engine options for both petrol and Diesel Figo remain the same- a 1.5L Diesel engine with 100 Ps of power, 215NM of torque and the 1.2L Ti-VCT inline three petrol Engine that delivers 96PS of power and 119NM of torque.

Other aspects like ride quality, comfort, NVH levels, communicative steering, soft suspension remain the same.

However due to a hike in the price of the BS6 Figo, Ford has excluded some features from the Titanium variant of the car. Features like infotainment system, rear wiper, rear de-fogger, fog lamps, reversing camera, automatic climate control have been excluded- options which buyers look for

the most in car.

The alloy wheels too have been changed in terms of design and build. We preferred the earlier design. However, they remain the same in the Top end variant, also called the Ford Figo Blu which comes in a sporty avatar.

The Ford Figo Blu comes in a power packed avatar with features mentioned above. However, Apple Car Play and Android Auto features have been excluded from the infotainment system as the Figo Blu gets the Fly Audio touch screen infotainment system.

There has been a major shuffling of features with the Ford Figo and the exclusion of many is something that could disappoint many buyers as not everyone would opt for the top- end and youthful Blu variant.

Ford however, has updated one thing in all its cars for 2020. The addition of FordPass connected car technology that works on an in- built 4G data connection which free of cost subscription for three years. The app enables new car owners to obtain real time data like tyre pressures, fuel level, odometer reading, car position and it also allows for remote start/stop and lock/unlock of the vehicle via the app. Owners can also locate nearest fuel stations, local point of interests and nearby Ford dealers, while the Guide function provides help to owners by calling a Ford guide or roadside assistance in case of a breakdown. 

While the new Figo has lost a few features, the introduction of FordPass does bring Ford back in the game as such technology is getting quite common in new cars.