Ford is readying the Figo facelift and a crossover variant for India. Expected to be christened Ford Figo Active or Ford Figo Freestyle, this model will debut a 1.2-litre Dragon engine reports Autocar India.

The new hatchback is basically a derivative of the Ford Figo. It will have typical SUV traits, such as a raised suspension, extra body cladding, roof rails and larger wheels. Inside, it is expected to get the SYNC 3 infotainment system in the range-topping grade.

The Ford Figo-based crossover will debut a new 1.2-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine from the Dragon engine family. This all-aluminium engine develops a class-leading maximum power and maximum torque of 95 hp and 115 Nm respectively. Unlike the 1.5-litre Dragon series engine it shares the block with, it doesn’t get a balancer shaft to offset vibrations. Ford will offer the new petrol engine in the facelifted Figo and facelifted Aspire as well.

In the new SUV-styled hatchback, Ford has paired the new 1.2-litre engine to the MX65 5-speed manual transmission from Getrag. The new transmission replaces the IB5 unit, and it is lighter, more accurate and requires less effort to operate. An AMT derivative of the MX65 unit could follow later.

Ford will launch the new Ford Figo-based crossover aka Ford Figo Freestyle in the first half of 2018. Apart from the updated Figo, Ford is also working in a new hatchback to rival the Maruti Baleno and Hyundai i20.