Rival media outlets have reported this week that Ford will unveil its new Figo light hatch at January’s New Delhi auto show. But Ford Australia is remaining tight lipped.
Speaking to motoring.com.au overnight, Ford Australia’s public affairs director, Sinead Phipps said that while there is indeed a car in the pipeline, its description is top secret.
“We are inviting press to India for the New Dehli auto show to reveal a new vehicle that will be coming to Australia. But I can’t supply any further specifics at this point,” stated Phipps.
Most believe the mystery model to be a newer version of the Figo, which is a sub-Fiesta offering already on sale in India.
A light, five-door hatch, Figo is produced at FoMoCo’s Chennai (India) plant, the model received a wealth of Australian R&D during its gestation, including significant input from the same man tasked with developing the FG series Falcon, Scott Strong.
If indeed this is the car in question, it will replace the current fifth-generation Fiesta-based Figo (pictured), which has been on sale in India since March 2010.
Currently, Figo is offered with a choice of 1.2-litre (52kW/102Nm) petrol or 1.4-litre (51kW/160Nm) turbodiesel four-cylinder engines. It is unclear if these engines will carry over into the new model...That is, if one exists!
The New Delhi auto show begins on January 5, 2012.
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