Revving it up: The 1.4-litre TDCi engine’s linear power delivery and driveability makes the Ikon stress-free in traffic

Is this the rebirth of an Ikon? Ford India wants you to think so. In a way, it is. This car has a new face, a new engine and a new price. When it’s launched this month, it will be diving head first into a segment that has the ultra-competitive Maruti Dzire and the maxi-space Mahindra Logan. The question is, should you buy one?

As is obvious, the front end is all new. The bumper is redesigned, the headlamps and grille are new and the hood is different too. If you were looking at an Ikon coming up in your rearview mirror, you would think it was money well spent.

But watch it overtake you, and you’ll see that the rest of it is the same car. Look at it from the rear, and it’s like meeting an old friend who’s wearing new glasses. You know something is different, but it’s hard to put a finger on what it is. That’s because the only changes at the back are the slightly redesigned tail-lamps.

Under the hood lies the biggest change. Ford has slipped the 1.4-litre TDCi engine from the Fiesta into the Ikon. Barring a few changes to the ECU programming, the air intake system and the exhaust system, the engine is the same — meaning you get 68bhp and 16.3kgm of torque.

The interiors will give Ikon fans a sense of déjà vu. Here, the only changes are the new dials and the beige colour scheme. From the driver’s seat, there’s good visibility outside. The driving position is comfortable — the chunky steering is a nice fit in your palms, the seat is well bolstered, and there’s good thigh support (if only the seat base was a bit longer, it would be perfect). The beige interior looks good, but the plastic quality betrays the car’s age. The Dzire is superior in this respect.

The seats are comfortable at the rear too and there’s a feeling of spaciousness thanks to the big windows. However, the rear seats have fixed headrests, another feature that makes the car look dated.

Twist the key, and you’ll be greeted with a gravelly idle note. There’s a bit of vibration through the gear lever too. Ford claims a big improvement in NVH (noise, vibration and harshness), but in reality, it isn’t very different. You can hear the gravelly engine note at all times, even while cruising.

This engine is known for its linear power delivery and great driveability. It retains these characteristics in the Ikon and makes the car stress-free in traffic. Because the Ikon weighs less than the Fiesta, it’s a tad more responsive as well. It pulls forward strongly from 1750rpm and power doesn’t tail off until around 3500rpm — a good working range when you’re in traffic.

On the highway you’ll feel a bit short on power, but the car will happily cruise at 120kph. At this speed, the engine is spinning at a frenetic 3000rpm, so it’s audible in the cabin.

Ford has tweaked the new Ikon’s suspension settings. The ride is really good, with the car absorbing bumps nicely and the suspension is very refined.

Ford is offering only one variant on the Ikon. It comes with power windows, power steering and air conditioning. It feels under-equipped, but then you pay only so much for the car. The Ikon is also being sold with the 1.3-litre ROCAM petrol engine.

With the prices that Ford has offered, the Ikon definitely makes a lot of sense. It’s very driveable in city traffic and is ‘middle-of-the-road’ in the ride department. It handles well, still looks the most proportionate car in this class and now has an engine that’s proven its fuel efficiency. If only Ford had freshened the rear and interiors.

Spec check

ford ikon

Price: Rs 5.41 lakh (Petrol);
Rs 6.11 lakh (Diesel)
Available: November 2008
Engine capacity: 1400cc
Type: Diesel
Power: 68bhp
Torque: 16.3kgm
Driven wheels: Front