The Indian sub-4 metre sedan segment has an interesting history. It was born out of a 2006 legislation that allowed small cars to qualify for a lower excise duty. In fact, the then finance minister, P Chidambaram, in his 2006 Budget speech said “…I propose to reduce the excise duty to 16%, but only for small cars. A small car, for this purpose, will mean a car of length not exceeding 4,000mm and with an engine capacity not exceeding 1,500cc for diesel and 1,200cc for petrol…”

The speech didn’t mention hatchbacks!

Quick to exploit the opportunity—and Indians’ craze for sedans—Tata Motors shortened the Indigo sedan’s boot, reducing the car’s length to 3,988mm, and passed on some of the excise cut benefit to customers. Thus was born the Indigo CS (Compact Sedan)—India’s first sub-4 metre sedan. However, it was Maruti which made the segment popular with its sub-4 metre Swift Dzire. Soon Honda and Hyundai followed, with the Amaze and the Xcent, respectively. The segment has exploded—it made up 45% of the Indian market in 2014—and most automakers are eyeing the space, including Ford.

Soon, the American car company will launch its compact sedan, the Figo Aspire, in the country. Ehab Kaoud, the man behind the design of the Figo Aspire, says a lot of effort has gone into creating Ford’s first compact sedan. In an interview with Vikram Chaudhary of The Financial Express, he adds that the Figo Aspire—currently being showcased as part of the 25-city roadshow across India—will make customers look no further in terms of space, style, design and technology. Excerpts:

Had the Indian government not come up with the idea of tax benefits for small cars, do you think a sub-4 metre sedan segment would have got created?

As designers and marketers, we look to develop products in compliance with the policies and tax structures while keeping in mind customer requirement. Indian customers want fuel-efficient cars which are compact, easy to manoeuvre and apt for growing urban challenges. The government of the day took the lead in creating a segment that is unique to India. The customer response has been overwhelming. Ford’s compact sedan, the Figo Aspire, will go on sale in India later this year. This segment is highly competitive; it made up 45% of the Indian car market in 2014. We expect it to grow to around 1.6 million units by 2018, up from 1.1 million in 2014.

What was your initial opinion, as a designer, when you first heard of sub-4 metre sedans?

It’s always a challenge to design compact cars. We have to ensure that looks, design, roominess, storage spaces and, above all, driving dynamics aren’t compromised. Our previous offering in this domain was the EcoSport, for which our engineers and designers worked to tailor in consumer requirements. We are set to repeat the same with the Figo Aspire, which, I am sure, will make customers look no further in terms of space, style, design and technology.

Most sub-4 metre sedans look like an after-thought (in some cases, they are). Do the laws of automotive design go against a sub-4 metre sedan?

Innovation can help overcome any challenge. If you have a look at the Figo Aspire, and are not told about the sub-4 metre classification, you would not ask this question. It looks right, natural and relevant.

When a designer sets out to design a sub-4 metre sedan, what is his primary focus—cabin space, engine bay, boot space or an aerodynamic body?

It is the customer who is the primary focus. Getting the proportions of the vehicle right is of utmost importance. It is the foundation of the car. Once this is laid, we can ensure that customers get something which isn’t compromised. With the Figo Aspire, we wanted to create a premium, long-lasting design that is clean and elegant, and which conveys a sense of precision, efficiency and sophistication.

Which section of a car is the most challenging to design?

On a hatchback, the rear corner and the roof slope are major design challenges. Similarly, in a sedan, the silhouette and the rear corner are most challenging.

Which section of the Figo Aspire was tough to design?

You don’t design individual parts, you design a complete car in which all components seamlessly work together, bend at right places and wind into each other without harsh edges to make it look like an integrated vehicle. The idea behind designing the Figo Aspire was to come up with a vehicle that is spacious yet has a small footprint on the outside. You have to carefully design a compact sedan to ensure it isn’t compromised. The front and the rear should flow with such precision that the boot shouldn’t appear as an afterthought. We have found a perfect balance in the Figo Aspire.

Many Ford cars today have a grille, the design of which, it appears, has been influenced by the Aston Martin grille. In fact, from a distance, it looks a direct lift…

The inverse trapezoidal grille forms the core of Ford’s design DNA and adds a premium appeal to our cars. This is our family design language and helps us maintain uniformity in the looks of our vehicles, across the globe. In fact, consistency in design is important as it reflects stability in the brand.

Why does Ford call the EcoSport an SUV? Would you, as a designer, call it an SUV? Don’t you think it is simply a raised hatchback car with rugged looks and a spare wheel on the rear door?

Ford EcoSport is a compact, urban SUV designed specifically for our growth markets such as India, China, ASEAN and Brazil, where compact vehicles are popular. This urban SUV boasts of a contemporary shape, a commanding driving position and the signature spare wheel mounted on an easy-to-access swing-gate at the rear—all of which are seen as key parts of its SUV character.

Is the One Ford strategy an obstacle for the design team?

The One Ford design philosophy helps us identify global trends and design vehicles catering to different markets. For example, the Figo Aspire is a demonstration of One Ford plan in action. The EcoSport is another example of how we are harnessing the company’s global resources.

If Ford decides to sell the Figo Aspire outside India, will the car need major design alterations?

Most changes made in vehicles that are to be exported outside India will be done to meet local statutory compliances such as left-hand drive, length of the car or lower ground clearance.

Do you think the Ka could have been an apt small car for India?

I would not like to comment on the future product strategy for any market. As part of One Ford, we are committed to bring the most relevant products that customers in India want and value at the most appropriate time.

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