2015 Ford Figo becomes most powerful hatchback in the country

Ford India launched the new Figo hatchback on 23 September (Wednesday) with prices starting at Rs 4.29 lakh for petrol variants and Rs 5.29 lakh for the diesel variants.

The American manufacturer has raised the bar for the other manufactures by introducing three engine options -- 1.2-litre petrol,1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel.

The highlight in the engine line-up is the 1.5-litre Ti-VCT petrol unit that develops 110bhp at 6,300rpm and 136Nm of torque at 4,250rpm mated to six speed dual clutch transmission. The engine also makes the Ford Figo the most powerful hatchback in the country at present.

Prior to the Ford Figo hatchback, the most powerful car in the segment was the Volkswagen Polo GT twins. The Polo GT TSI was powered by 1.2 TSI petrol engine developing 104bhp at 5,000rpm and 175Nm of torque in the range of 1500-4100rpm mated to seven speed DSG gearbox. The 1.5-litre Polo GT TDI diesel variant also develops 104bhp at 4400rpm and 250Nm of torque at 1500-2500rpm mated to 5 speed manual transmission.

Though the Ford Figo has become the most powerful hatchback in the country, the achievement seems to be short lived. Fiat India has confirmed the launch of Abarth Punto with the 1.4-litre T-JET turbocharged petrol engine that belts out 145bhp power at 6,000rpm and 200Nm torque at 1,750rpm. The car is rumoured to be set for a 10 October launch and in that case the Figo will be the most powerful hatchback only for a short span of two weeks. 

That is not the end of the hot hatch segment in India. Volkswagen is not ready to leave the throne and it is reported that the manufacturer is planning to launch new Polo GTI in India soon. The most powerful version of the Polo -- the GTI -- is likely come with a 1.8-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing maximum power output of 188bhp and maximum torque of 320Nm, mated to a seven-speed DSG transmission. The GTI will run from 0-100 kmph in just 6.7 seconds. The numbers indicate that Volkswagen is ready to set some high standards in the market.