In a growing segment of entry level and mid-size sedan offerings, Ford India has been doing good business with its offering, the Ford Classic. Infact, even today, the Ford Classic Review across the internet and other forms of media is strong due to the vehicle’s various USPs.
Ford India had introduced the Fiesta Classic a decade back to compete in the then Rs 8-10 lac sedan bracket. The vehicle competed with more expensive sedans and yet had many takers due to its brilliant packaging. Ford Classic Review was usually positive among the journalists due to its brilliant engines, good driving dynamics and high quality interiors. However, over the years, due to rising competition and degrading sales, Ford decided to re-price the Classic and slashed its sticker price by a huge margin. Ford India also launched the new Fiesta and hence removed the Fiesta tag name from this vehicle, renaming it to simply €Classic€. The vehicle now competed in the Rs 6-8 lac sedan segment and again, the Ford Classic review in front of rivals like the Maruti Dzire, Tata Manza and Mahindra Verito remained pretty strong.
Overall, the car remains unchanged largely except for minor exterior tweaks as compared to the original version launched in India. It continues to be powered by a 1.6 petrol engine and a 1.4-litre diesel engine. The former is a hit with enthusiasts and provides the best in class performance due to the amount of power it generates – all 101PS of it. This engine also complements the chassis and suspension set up perfectly well and this shows in the way the Classic feels at high speeds during spirited driving.
However, as is the case with all models in India, the diesel version outsells the petrol one easily. The Ford Classic Review for the diesel variants is very positive largely due to its reliable 1.4-litre engine that offers brisk performance and excellent fuel economy. This engine is a hit with commercial buyers too for its ease of maintenance.
Ford India offers 3 versions each of the petrol and diesel engine options. These are called the LXi, CLXi and the recently introduced Titanium models. While the Classic might be a decade old offering in India, Ford India still ensures that safety is not compromised. ABS and Airbags are offered as standard on the higher trim level.
No car is perfect and even in this case, there are a few shortcomings if you look at the overall Ford Classic Review. While pricing is competitive, the Classic loses out on rear seat space in this segment. The petrol engine is not very efficient and the diesel gets beaten by rivals on the outright performance stakes. However, the positives outdo these shortcomings and Ford India continues to sell the Classic in decent numbers.
