2018 Ford Aspire facelift launched at ₹ 5.55 lakh

Ford has launched the much-awaited facelift version of its Aspire sedan in India with prices starting from ₹5.55 lakh for the base petrol variant (Ambiente MT). First launched in India in 2015, the Aspire has had no major updates in the last three years. Therefore, a facelift was indeed much needed. With reworked styling, a longer equipment list and a new petrol motor, the updated Aspire is back in the game, competing with cars such as the Maruti Suzuki Dzire.

The most prominent design changes in the new car are the restyled bumpers and headlamps, a new chrome grille and a new set of 15-inch alloy wheels. However, few premium features like LED headlights have been given a miss this time around. Inside, the dual-tone theme of black and beige has been carried over from the predecessor. Other than that, the new Aspire will feature Ford's SYNC 3 infotainment system that will be controlled via a 6.5-inch touchscreen. The system will also offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The setup has been borrowed from the Freestyle hatchback.

For mechanical updates, the 2018 Aspire has been given a new petrol engine. The engine in question here is the 1.2-litre Dragon series petrol motor, which debuted with the Ford Freestyle. This new three-cylinder motor generates more power and torque than the unit it replaces with figures pegged at 95bhp and 120Nm of torque. This motor will come paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. 

For the diesel variants, the same 1.5-litre motor has been carried over from the pre-facelift version. The petrol automatic variant also gets a new engine option, the 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder Dragon series motor from the EcoSport, which produces 121bhp and 150Nm of torque. This new engine will finally see the old double-clutch automatic gearbox junked in favour of a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

Prices for the 2018 Ford Aspire facelift:

Ambiente (Petrol MT) - ₹ 5.55 lakh

Trend (Petrol MT) - ₹ 5.99 lakh

Trend + (Petrol MT) - ₹ 6.39 lakh

Titanium (Petrol MT) - ₹ 6.79 lakh

Titanium (Petrol AT) - ₹ 8.49 lakh

Titanium + (Petrol MT) - ₹ 7.24 lakh

Ambiente (Diesel MT) - ₹ 6.45 lakh

Trend (Diesel MT) - ₹ 6.89 lakh

Trend + (Diesel MT) - ₹ 7.29 lakh

Titanium (Diesel MT) - ₹ 7.69 lakh

Titanium + (Diesel MT) - ₹ 8.14 lakh

(All price figures mentioned above are Ex-showroom, Delhi)