Ford Figo Launched in SA

Ford Southern Africa launched the new Ford Figo last week. The press launch was held at the popular Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel (Yes, there is actually more to the hotel than just ZAR) and JC writer, XtraLargePtyLtd (gosh, this name is long) and I went along for the “ride”.

The event kicked off with Ford representatives giving us a “classroom” style lesson on the new car and why they think it is the best small car in the market. According to Ford, research has shown that there is a growing market of young buyers, particularly among women & the Figo is Ford’s way of offering a platform for these young women to enter the vehicle market, affordably without sacrificing on style and comfort.

Here is what I learned about the Ford Figo:

• It is available with a choice of two of Ford’s class-leading, fuel-efficient engines, the 1.4? Petrol Duratec and the 1.4? Turbo Diesel Duratorq.
• All models are equipped with five-speed manual transmissions.
• Some of the standard features MP3/iPod connectivity, dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and PATS (Passive Anti Theft System).
• The Figo comes with a 4-year/120 000km fully comprehensive warranty and 5-year corrosion warranty.
• Service intervals are 20 000km for petrol derivatives and 15 000km for diesel.

Okay, lemme stop there before this starts sounding like an advert heheh.

They didn’t just tell us about the car, we got to drive around the streets of Joburg in them little princesses. It really is a girl’s car, if you’re a man who is driving a Figo, do not even look my way. And no, XtraLargePtyLtd, you did not look cute driving it

Back to the car:

I really enjoyed driving the car and I liked the petrol model over Diesel. Am really not a fan of the noises that came from the diesel version….
Xtra and I weren’t the only guests at the launch….

Media from India visited South Africa to attend the Ford Figo press launch and their visit included a dealership visit and tour of the Ford facilities.
Rella Bernardes from Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (in green) was a great host and I loved that we had women talking to us about the car. Guess it would not make sense for a man to stand there and tell us what’s good for us.

Some of the tasks we had to do with the car included no fault parallel parking, which I mastered and got full points for. I had to do this coz Xtra was not up to the task.. *straight face*

To show just how huge the boot of the Figo is, we had to pack all those items in the boot within 60 seconds.

…and shame my partner carried all the heavy items

FInally we managed to get everything in, and closed the spacious boot.

(didn’t mean to “dunusa” there, let’s concentrate on the car)

After all the driving around, it was time for a little fun, as we went paintball shooting. Not sure what this had to do with a Figo but it was fun & our shots were on target!

We also had to attempt driving over balloons with the front wheels…

Let’s not mention how XtraLargePtyLtd struggled with this task. heheh

The car is very comfortable, an easy drive and would make a great “first car”. I would need to drive it for longer than I did (maybe a week or two) to have an opinion about its other features so maybe if Ford could … *hint hint* make a plan….

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