A Ford Fiesta has been caught testing with an automatic gearbox and could be due for launch soon as the upcoming Figo Aspire will also be getting an autobox.
Undoubtedly one of the best driver’s car in the C-segment, the Ford Fiesta with its sharp steering and dynamics ensures immense fun when driving the car. But unfortunately, Ford has not been able to capitalise on this front and the Fiesta is not doing well at all. Competition in the segment from the likes of the Honda City, Maruti Ciaz, Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Vento, Skoda Rapid, etc. has taken the spotlight away from the Fiesta. One can also blame Ford for this, as they have not been able to market the Fiesta the way it should have been which ultimately led to its downfall. Playing catch-up on its rivals, it now seems that Ford will be launching an automatic variant of the Fiesta as one has been pictured while testing.
A Fiesta with an automatic gearbox has been snapped at a Ford service station in Gurgaon, Haryana. Further inquiry revealed that the car was undergoing testing. This move comes as no surprise because all of Fiesta’s rivals mentioned above are available with an automatic transmission. The pre-facelift Fiesta was also offered with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission automatic with the 1.5-litre petrol engine, producing 110 BHP and 140 Nm. Even the upcoming Figo Aspire compact sedan will come with an automatic gearbox.
The upcoming Figo Aspire and Fiesta will be offered with a dual-clutch automatic transmission only with a petrol engine, which leads us to believe that Ford may be contemplating to bring back the petrol version of the Fiesta, both with a manual as well as an automatic gearbox in the near future. At the moment, the Fiesta facelift is only available with a diesel engine which is paired to a 5-speed manual transmission. Though this move may not help propel Fiesta’s sales by a huge margin, it will definitely provide enthusiasts another reason to look at the much loved driver’s car.
Source – Team-BHP.com