Driven #36: 2018 Ford Freestyle

Variant Tested: 1.2L Petrol (Titanium +)

Though Ford wants you to believe otherwise, cross hatchbacks aren't exactly new in India. Volkswagen, Toyota, Fiat and Hyundai have all tried their luck in this segment. The American car-maker joined the party recently with the Freestyle, albeit with changes that are more than skin deep. By doing so, Ford has also given it's Figo (and the Aspire that shares the underpinnings) another chance to prove their mettle.

Will Ford's efforts in a segment where success has traditionally been elusive pay off? We spent a few hours in a Freestyle Titanium +, powered by the all-new 1.2-liter Dragon petrol engine, to find out.

Design & Styling

Walk to the Freestyle and it's clear this is a Figo on stilts. Yet, Ford has done enough to give the Freestyle an unique personality that complements it's 'Compact Utility Vehicle' tagline.

Head-on, the now-familiar hexagonal grille gets a gloss black paint job and looks brilliant. That, together with the smoked headlights and redesigned bumpers with prominent C-shaped fog lamp enclosures finished in - you guessed it right - black, gives the Freestyle a classy look. The theme continues in profile with smoked gunmetal alloy wheels complementing the full-length cladding and dark grey decals. At the rear, the taillights get revised detailing while the bumper gets faux vents that matches the shape of the ones found in the front bumper. 

Unlike most if it's rivals that have just visual add-ons to bring about that crossover effect, Ford's engineers have actually upped the utility quotient of the Freestyle with thoughtful changes. The ride height is up 16mm over the Figo and measures an useful 190mm, so you don't have to think twice when hitting potholes or speed humps that dot our cities. Roof rails aren't just cosmetic and can hold loads up to 50kg. The track is wider than the Figo's and the Freestyle also gets bigger 15-inch wheels shod with beefier rubber.

In all, the Freestyle looks more attractive and refreshing than the Figo, more so in the Canyon Ridge paint job you see here.

That said, this is a case of missed opportunity as well. At a time when car-buying masses go gung-ho about visual illumination elements like projectors, DRLs and LEDs, the Freestyle is completely devoid of them. Even if these add a few thousands to the cost, Ford should have incorporated them at least in the top-spec Titanium + trim level we drove. 

Interiors

When Ford released images of the Freestyle's dual-tone interiors with the brown and black colour combination, "not again" was our first thought, with memories of that awful red-coloured dashboard of the old Figo haunting us. But, we will admit the Freestyle's dash doesn't look half as bad as we thought when seen in person. In fact, it looked quite premium and Ford has nailed it by making this exclusive to the top trim level.

While the basic design and layout of the cabin is the same as the Figo and the Aspire, the addition of a long-overdue touchscreen infotainment system has jazzed up the Freestyle's interiors. The dated Nokia smartphone-inspired center console is out with a slick 6.5-inch screen popping out in it's place. Right below the screen are buttons and knobs for physically controlling the infotainment system while climate control buttons and knobs are located further below. Ford has equipped the Freestyle with an extensive feature list that includes keyless entry with push button start, climate control system, Microsoft's SYNC 3.0 infotainment system (covered separately in our post), rear parking sensors with camera and a full set of active and passive safety features (covered separately in our post). 

While the interior quality doesn't hold a candle to the Volkswagens and Hyundais of the segment, it is still decent enough to withstand abuse on Indian roads. Attention to detail, though, has been great. The knurled effect on the climate control knobs, for example, is an impressive touch as is the thick-padded storage tray below that for your smartphone. There are pockets to hold upto eight water bottles in the front row alone and there's also a hidden storage spot that can be accessed only if the driver's door is open for keeping your wallet or other valuable items safe from prying eyes. In such a loaded car, some features like a dead pedal, driver's armrest and adjustable rear head restraints have been given a miss. The bean counters clearly had their say!

The steering wheel is big and meaty and adjustable only for tilt. But the front seats are long, wide and comfortable enough, so finding a good driving position isn't all that difficult. While space at the front is generous, move over to the rear and the space on offer can be, at best, termed adequate. The Baleno and Jazz are miles ahead when rear seat space and practicality are what you are looking for. Apart from fixed head restraints, rear passengers also lack door pads, air vents and central armrest and have to make do with just a single bottle holder. It is clear Ford's focus was on those occupying the front seats. 

Boot space, at a good 257 liters, can easily accommodate a family's weekend luggage and a bit more. Moreover, the rear seat can be folded forward to further increase luggage space.

Steering Wheel & Instrument Cluster

Unlike the EcoSport facelift that gets a new steering wheel design, the Freestyle continues with the same design as the previous-generation Ford models like the Fiesta, Figo and Aspire. Despite being a tad bigger than what we would have liked, the steering is good to hold with well thought-out recesses for your thumbs. Piano black detailing on the spokes look great though you will have a tough time keeping dust off it. Controls for BlueTooth telephony, Voice Commands and audio are located on the left spoke while chunky Euro-style stalks behind help control the various vehicle settings. 

The instrument cluster is a simple, functional unit dominated by a large circular speedometer in the center flanked by a tachometer and a fuel gauge on either sides. A small Multi Information Display (MID) screen is placed at the bottom of the speedometer. With read-outs for odo, trip, average speed, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption and distance-to-empty, the screen gives you what you would require. It's just that the visual flair you come to expect these days is lacking. Given this is what most owners would spend time staring at, Ford should have given the Freestyle - a car aimed at young urban dwellers from Ford's own launch slides - a trendy, upmarket cluster.

Infotainment System

Love them or hate them, floating infotainment screens are here to stay and Ford is one of the many car-makers that has adapted it across the lineup. The old-fashioned button-clad entertainment system has been rightfully shown the door, replaced by a sleek, advanced SYNC 3.0 system.

Armed with seamless connectivity options, slick responses to the touch with zero lag, a crystal clear display and intuitive features that let you explore and master, the SYNC 3.0 has got to be one of the best entertainment systems in the mass market. From the screen that lets us adjust the Balance and Fade settings to it's unique feature set that includes Emergency Assistance (automatically dials 108 in the unfortunate event of an accident), Valet Mode (locks the system before handing over the car to a valet), Ford MyKey (programmable settings for vehicle speed and in-car audio volume), SYNC 3.0 is a masterstroke! Just like the EcoSport, rotary knobs and physical buttons are available for frequently used controls, thereby preventing the need to take your eyes off the road for those quick changes.

In a system this comprehensively equipped, the absence of an in-built navigation system is a bit of a surprise. But then that doesn't matter as the unit is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ford's AppLink also lets you access and control a handful of applications from our mobile phone as well.

Engine & Transmission

The next big thing in Ford India's powertrain portfolio is the all-new 'Dragon' family of gasoline engines. While the EcoSport facelift debuted the 1.5-liter mill, the Freestyle debuts the smaller 1.2-liter unit that's been developed to comply to the tax concessions being handed out by the Indian Government.

Boasting 95 horsepower and 120 Nm of torque, this new engine is the most powerful sub-1.2-liter unit out there on paper. It's also incredibly refined, especially once it settles down at idle. A gentle dab at the throttle is all that's needed to realize the new Freestyle is peppier than the current Figo and the Aspire. Gone is that lazy and strained build-up of speed, the 1.2-liter Dragon engine is lively right from the word go and retains that characteristic up until it's marked redline of 6,800 rpm. There's a flat zone in the middle and the engine isn't as free-revving as Suzuki's 1.2-liter unit for instance. Moreover, it gets quite vocal at higher revs.

Mated to this engine is an all-new 5-speed manual gearbox sourced from Getrag. The new transmission is a remarkable improvement over the older one with a light clutch complemented by short and crisp shifts. You don't have to put up with the rubbery feel of the gearbox anymore. Automatic transmission is not being offered at the moment, a shame given the increasing acceptance of slush boxes in India.

While we haven't driven that yet, the Freestyle also has a diesel engine powering it, the same tried-and-tested 1.5-liter TDCi unit that churns out 99 horsepower and 215 Nm of torque.

Official fuel-efficiency figures are 19.0 km/l for the 1.2-liter petrol and 24.4 km/l for the 1.5-liter diesel variants. That said, an enthusiastic early morning sprint like ours with ample idling is likely to drag that figure lower, like our 8.0 km/l readout proves.

Ride & Handling

The original Figo launched in 2010 was a benchmark in the small car segment, thanks to it's exemplary ride and handling balance. The second-generation Figo strayed off this line before Ford did some course correction with the S variant launched a couple of years back. We are happy to report the Freestyle is more Figo S than the regular Figo when it comes to exhibiting trademark Ford DNA.

Ride quality is supple and the car absorbs bumps and potholes with remarkable poise. Go faster and the Freestyle isn't unsettled as a softly-sprung car would be. With a far stiffer ride, Ford's own EcoSport has to learn a thing or two from the Freestyle's suspension tuning. The MacPherson struts up front and the twist beam at the rear do their jobs exceedingly well and leave no room to complain. Handling is spot-on as well despite the Freestyle being a high-riding cross hatch. Body roll is non-existent at slow and medium speeds and well-controlled at high speeds. This, coupled with a responsive steering and superb straight-line stability at high speeds, make the Freestyle one fun-to-drive car. 

The 185/60 R15 tires offer sufficient grip for everyday driving with the ventilated discs up front and drums at the rear endowing the car with good braking abilities. 

Safety

Ford, along with Toyota and Volkswagen, is at the forefront when it comes to exhibiting utmost commitment to safety. Have no doubt, all you need is a glance through the Freestyle's brochure to put those concerns to rest.

Freestyle's standard safety kit across the lineup includes dual front airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), seat belt reminders for the driver and front passenger, reverse parking sensor and speed-sensing automatic door locks. The top-spec Titanium + variant, the one we drove, is even more generously equipped with features like side and curtain airbags, Active Rollover Prevention (collective term for Hill Launch Assist, Electronic Stability Program and Traction Control System), Emergency Assistance, Ford MyKey and rear view camera.

With such armory, it is clear the Freestyle is amongst the safest car in the country this side of 10 Lakh Rupees. Well done, Ford, for leading the way!

Verdict

From the very beginning, it was pretty clear the Freestyle is unlike any other cross hatchback we have seen. This car is not just a hatchback with a few cosmetic embellishments and plastic panels added on. Now, after spending quality time with it, the Freestyle has moved itself out of the Figo's shadow and emerged as a genuine contender for the segment honours. Sure, there are a few essentials missing from the package and the car isn't as spacious as some of its competitors are, but by virtue of offering so much more in other aspects for significantly lesser money than its rivals, the Freestyle might just be the success that has eluded Ford recently in the mass market.

Photography: Bharath Rengaraj

Content & Editing: Aravind Ramesh

Datsun Go and Go+ facelifts caught testing in Chennai

It's been over four years since Datsun made its debut in India with the Go amidst much fanfare. While Nissan's plan was to gain sales and market share in emerging markets like ours with the resurrected Datsun brand, it didn't quite go to plan. Yet, remarkably, Brand Datsun sells more cars today in India than it's more-popular parent Nissan. Most of that though come from the redi-Go - Datsun's version of the successful Renault Kwid. The Go and later the Go+ haven't made an impact here, struggling with monthly sales of a few hundred units each. 

Despite that, Datsun is not giving up on the Go duo. These test mules, caught in stop-start Chennai traffic last Sunday, is proof Datsun is cooking up something to make the Go and Go+ more appealing. While both the cars are heavily camouflaged, they still reveal interesting details about the impending facelift. Moreover, Datsun officially unveiled the facelifted Go and Go+ in Indonesia earlier this year, hinting at what changes could be heading our way.

These are the clearest spy-shots yet of the facelifted Go and Go+ with one of the images even giving us a glimpse of the center console. We can now confirm the Indian models will have similar looks and features as the models unveiled in Indonesia.   

External changes are subtle with the biggest change being the new mesh pattern in the grille and an all-new bumper with vertically-stacked Daytime Running Lights. The headlights and the taillights see some minor tweaks as well while the car appears to be shod with bigger 14-inch alloy wheels that fill the wheel wells better. The Go has always been a decent-looking car while the same can't be said of the Go+. This facelift would do nothing to change that with the Go+ still looking disproportionate and awkward from certain angles. 

The interiors are said to have a major revamp which is great news for anybody who have sat inside the current model's bare-bones cabin. The center console is now all-new featuring trapezoidal air-conditioner vents with the camouflage beneath hiding what could potentially be a touchscreen infotainment system. That's quite a jump considering the current Go didn't even have a proper music system at launch. Features like electrically-adjustable mirrors and power windows for all four doors are expected too. 

Another noticeable change is the presence of two individual bucket seats in front with integrated headrests. That would ensure the gimmicky and frankly-unsafe seat extension in the first row is done away with and the awful, dash-mounted, pull-type handbrake lever is replaced by a conventional unit between the seats.  

This being a mid-cycle facelift, mechanical or structural changes are not expected. The 1.2-liter 3-cylinder petrol engine will continue powering both the cars. Datsun could still spring a surprise by beefing up the safety quotient by throwing in an airbag or two and making Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) as standard.  

Coinciding with the facelift, Datsun is expected to re-position the Go and Go+ a few notches higher up the order. So, will the prices go up? Of course they will but the stiff competition in entry-level segments from Maruti-Suzuki would mean Datsun has to play it safe than sorry. Will the facelift make the Go and Go+ more desirable? Let's watch this space.

Ford Mustang is now 10 Million units strong

There are popular cars. And then, there is the Mustang. From playing lead actor’s steed in several Hollywood blockbusters to ruling the streets of America to being the best-selling sports car in the planet the last couple of years, Ford’s iconic sports car has been there and done that. Last week, the American car-maker celebrated yet another milestone with the 10 Millionth Mustang rolling off the assembly line. Yes, there are 10 million of these pony cars out there, a feat that no other sports car ever has achieved.

The landmark Mustang was a GT convertible painted in ‘Wimbledon White’, the same body-style and colour as the original 1964 Mustang bearing VIN 001. Under the hood is Ford’s 5.0-liter V8 engine churning out a cool 460 horsepower and mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Remarkably, the 1964 Mustang also had V8 power, albeit one with 164 horses mated to a 3-speed manual gearbox. 

As you would expect, Ford had grand celebrations planned to mark the historic event. Customers of Mustangs manufactured across five decades participated in a parade from the car-maker’s Dearborn headquarters to the Flat Rock Assembly Plant where the car is now being produced. Three WWII-era P-51 Mustang fighter planes also pitched in performing flyovers over the gathered cars. In the end, 62 Mustangs gathered for a photo op denoting the numerical milestone reached. Of course, the highlight was the two commas where Mustang #1 and #10,000,000 were placed.

Over the years, there have been so many iterations and tuned-versions of the Mustang that it is difficult to list a few as stand-outs. Still, if we are asked to name a few, 1965 Shelby GT350, 1969 Boss 302, 1984 Mustang SVO, 2004 Anniversary Edition and 2019 Mustang Bullitt would make the cut. No, don’t scout for their technical supremacy or horsepower bragging rights – these are Mustangs that our dreams were made of over the years!

Currently in its sixth generation, the Mustang is not just the world’s best-selling and most-popular sports car but also a model of supreme significance within Ford Motor Company. In fact, when the car-maker recently announced its decision to shift focus from passenger cars to high-riding Utility Vehicles, SUVs and Crossovers, the Mustang survived. With the next-generation model touted to have some sort of electrification options, the Mustang might be all set to continue its legacy into the electric future as well.

New Suzuki Jimny is all the car you'll ever need

Every second car sold in India might be wearing the omnipresent ‘S’ badge but you will be hard-pressed to slot a car wearing one in the ‘aspirational’ category. The S-Cross – variants with that Fiat-sourced stonker of a 1.6-liter diesel engine – came close but it still didn’t look the part to be truly aspirational. Even globally, Swift Sport is the only model in Suzuki’s lineup that could pull at your heart strings, thanks to its suave styling, sporty handling and the peppy 1.4-liter turbo petrol power inside. That’s no longer the case.

When Suzuki unveiled the all-new Jimny - the first in twenty years - in Japan earlier this month, the brand’s new flag-bearer was born. 

A lot of you might know the Jimny and what it did for 'Brand Suzuki'. But for those of you that don’t, here is a brief background of the model and the legacy it carries. 

With over 285 million units sold across 194 countries, the Jimny is one of Suzuki’s long-serving and best-selling nameplates. That it happens to be a mini SUV with spot-on styling, perfect proportions and unchallenged off-roading capabilities is just an added bonus.

The first-generation Jimny debuted in 1970 as Japan’s only four wheel drive minicar meeting the market’s unique ‘kei’ specifications. With Suzuki getting serious about the export prospects, the second-generation model was launched in 1977 and continued in production until 1998. We know this as the Gypsy in India. The Jimny entered its third generation in 1998 and you could buy one of these until earlier this year. Yes, as incredible as it sounds, this model was on sale for twenty long years. 

This long gap partly explains the enthusiasm surrounding the new Jimny’s global unveiling. In addition to satisfying the demand amongst hardcore fans and loyalists – which we understand run into tens of thousands globally – the new Jimny arrives at a time when the global preferences are shifting towards SUVs and crossovers. Add to that the fact Jimny has no mainstream competitors to speak of anywhere in the globe, the stage is all set for a dream run!

Don’t believe us? Get this. The Jimny went on sale in Japan soon after the official unveiling on 05th of July. And now, less than a month later, waiting lists to own one of these is said to be between 8 and 24 months depending on the variant chosen. Admittedly, the production capacity is limited but it’s still no mean feat!

At first glance, the Jimny might come across as a wannabe off-roader trying to imitate the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and the Land Rover Defender, two legends of the trade. But, look beyond that and you’ll realize the new Jimny is just a modern interpretation of how its predecessors always looked like. Be it the simple circular headlights, the grille with five vertical slats, the boxy shape and the 3-door layout, every element that defined the Jimny for decades have neatly found their way into the all-new model. The standard Jimny is exclusive to Japan and designed to meet the country’s kei car regulations. The Jimny Sierra that gets chunkier bumpers and flared wheel arches is the one slated for exports and the model that looks much nicer. 

The interiors have come of age and looks like any other new Suzuki. The multi-function steering wheel follows the brand’s latest design theme while the 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is the same that’s seen in other Suzuki models. The instrument cluster, the central air-conditioning vents and the array of buttons and switches in the center console are designed to look tough and they do that exceedingly well. Kit on offer includes modern day niceties like integrated satellite navigation, Android Auto and Apple Car Play and safety features like dual front, side and curtain airbags, Autonomous Emergency Braking and Electronic Stability Control.

In all markets outside of Japan, the Jimny would be powered by a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine that drives the rear wheels and generates 100 horsepower. Peak torque is rated at 130 Nm. That’s not much but then Jimny is not made to go fast on expressways. It is designed to prevail over roads less taken and comes properly equipped for that.  

Built on a robust ladder-frame chassis with a 3-link rigid axle suspension and equipped with Suzuki’s famous AllGrip Pro 4WD with a low range transfer gear, the Jimny is not a poser off-road like most other compact crossovers and wannabe SUVs. This is a car you don’t have to think twice before venturing off-road. In fact, with a 37° approach, 49° departure and 28° ramp breakover angles aided by a 210 mm ground clearance and a very short wheelbase, the Jimny begs to be taken down the dirty path.  

If you are so smitten by the new Jimny, just know you aren’t alone. As a matter of fact, there is nothing not to like in it. Yes, 3 doors might be two too short for India but with the kind of revenue and profit Maruti-Suzuki sends back to the coffers in Japan, it wouldn’t be a tough act to get their nod to develop a longer 5-door model specifically for India.

If that happens, the all-new Jimny might be all the car we will ever need with its compact footprint, modern feature-rich interiors, go-anywhere capabilities, Maruti-Suzuki's extensive after-sales support and Japanese reliability. Dear Maruti-Suzuki, are you listening?

Mahindra's new MPV (U321) spotted testing yet again

Mahindra has been testing it's upcoming Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), code-named U321 internally, in and around Chennai for almost two years now. On two separate occasions - once last August and once in February this year - we caught a test mule up close and revealed details that were not known until then. Earlier this week, Mahindra's new MPV - expected to slot in between the TUV3OO Plus and the XUV5OO as a premium offering in the brand's lineup - was caught testing again in the heart of Chennai city. 

With the expected launch date getting closer, the test vehicle has started shedding its camouflage. The fascia is now completely visible right from the detailing on the mesh grille with Mahindra's trademark 'toothy' inserts to the wraparound headlights with inbuilt projectors and the shape of the LED Daytime Running Lights that outline the fog lamp enclosures. The cab-forward design, the heavily-raked hood, positioning of the wheels at the four corners and absence of ungainly overhangs on either end give Mahindra's newest people-mover proportions that are just right. None of Mahindra's usual craziness in terms of cuts and creases seem to be present on this MPV but let's reserve our judgement until we see the car uncovered. At the rear, the vertically-stacked taillights make their presence felt.

Though the interiors have not been seen or revealed yet, Mahindra's recent launches - the TUV3OO specifically - have had decent interiors with acceptable levels of fit and finish. That gives us hope this upcoming MPV would raise the brand's standard even higher. Mahindra has always loaded their models to the hilt with features and gizmos and this MPV would be no different when it goes on sale later this year.

Mahindra has been tight-lipped on the powertrain options until now. Reports elsewhere on the World Wide Web indicate the Nashik-based car-maker is working on all-new gasoline and diesel engines to power the vehicle along with a 6-speed manual transmission. That would explain the extremely long testing cycle this new MPV has been put through by Mahindra. 

When it launches later this year, expect the new Mahindra to challenge Tata's Hexa head-on and occupy the space vacated by the earlier Toyota Innova. In addition to these direct rivals, Maruti-Suzuki's Ertiga at the lower end and an army of similar-priced SUVs and crossovers are not going to make it easy for this upcoming MPV to settle down.

Will Mahindra break the shackles, make people look beyond 'the SUV look' and succeed in this attempt? Let's wait and watch.