POWERTRAIN
The Ford Ikon range includes a line-up of modern dependable powertrains offering responsive performance, refined drivability and low levels of fuel consumption, thus meeting Ford’s objectives of delivering real value to the small car customer.
The range consists of two double-overhead cam 16 valve petrol engines; a 1.-4-litre petrol unit as well as a 1.6-litre petrol unit, while a 1.4-litre common rail turbo diesel model is also available. All three engines have an all aluminium construction.
All three engines were developed to suit small car applications, while at the same time remain durable in the harsher climates and environments of emerging countries such as South Africa.
The 1.4-litre Ambiente petrol model produces 61kW at 6000rpm and 125Nm of torque at 4000rpm, while the 1.6-litre Trend petrol model offers 74kW at 6500rpm and 143Nm at 4000rpm.
The 1.4-litre Trend Duratorq TDCi engine develops 50kW at 4000rpm and 160Nm at 2000rpm. The Duratorq engine is a state of the art modern diesel with a turbocharger and electronically controlled latest generation common rail direct injection, offering excellent torque output, reduced fuel consumption and low emissions.
All three units have been calibrated to deliver low fuel consumption on an official industry test cycle, but also across a wide range of driving conditions encountered by South African customers.
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is the standard engine management system, which has been specifically designed to lower fuel consumption and emissions. The entry level 1.4-litre petrol unit returns an average fuel consumption figure of 7.6ℓ/100kms, while the 1.6-litre petrol unit averages 7.9ℓ/100kms. The more frugal 1.4-litre TDCi can be expected to use 5.5 litres of diesel per 100kms.
The Ford Ikon features Ford’s IB5, five-speed manual transmission. The system allows for ease of gear selection with the shift quality an area of focus. Low gear noise during engine idling and Reduced Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) further add to the refined quality of the Ford Ikon.
SUSPENSION
The Ikon offers confidence inspiring handling with high levels of stability and predictability, both in normal driving conditions and in demanding situations. As a result it is safe and easy to drive for a novice driver yet provides a rewarding drive for the more eager enthusiast.
The engineering team also focused on creating an environment that would be enjoyable for all occupants. Its ride-quality and quiet cabin environment were crafted to make even long journeys a pleasurable experience to share with friends and family.
At the front, the MacPherson strut suspension with offset coil springs, twin tube damper units and lower L-arms provides sure footed cornering ability and handling. At the rear the semi independent, twist-beam suspension offers stability and increased steering response. Low profile springs are placed effectively in an under-floor configuration, positively contributing to the Ikon’s generous cargo capacity of 430 litres.
SAFETY
The all-new Ford Ikon builds on Ford’s heritage of dependability and safety with the addition of active and passive safety features.
All models feature driver and front passenger airbags as well as ABS brakes. The airbag system is tailor made to provide the front seat occupants with the correct level of airbag protection based on the type and severity of the collision.
The front safety belts feature pyrotechnic pretensioners to remove slack from the safety belt for optimal safety. The front seat belts feature load-limiting retractors designed to prevent chest injuries by limiting the forces applied by the safety belt during the impact.
Rear seat passengers, including the centre occupant, are also protected by 3-point seatbelts with a centre lap belt for the latter.
The Ikon has been designed using advanced computer modelling to develop a safety structure that combines energy absorbing crash zones with a rigid survival space for occupants.
Body shell load paths have been optimized for maximum deformation outside the passenger compartment in front, rear and side impacts, thus reducing the severity of the crash pulse transmitted to the occupants.
SECURITY
All new Ikons come standard with Ford’s Passive Anti-theft System (PATS), along with an immobiliser system. All models boast remote central locking with double locking and illuminated entry.
STYLING
The new Ford Ikon has been created to provide stylish pace and versatility, appealing to the sophisticated lifestyles of the young and young at heart. From its concept stage, the Ikon was designed from the inside out resulting in excellent interior space for all occupants.
The new Ikon has a robustly well-proportioned stance that gives the car a sporty and purposeful presence. The side profile of the car has been designed to give customers the best of all functional attributes, including optimal ingress and egress, headroom, visibility and load capacity.
The body side is a blend of powerful muscular shapes on the wheel arches, to more geometric angles on the body side features and front graphics. Contemporary surface development and attention to detail give the vehicle an aspirational identity and refinement that is of the highest quality.
The Ikon is designed to provide stylish space and versatility, appealing to the sophisticated lifestyles of modern South Africans. The Ikon has excellent interior space. Coupled with its four-door exterior, this design gives the agility and manoeuvrability required in crowded city driving, but with class leading interior space.
The interior is designed to appeal to the senses and meet ones practical needs. The top section of the dash board fascia is formed in a soft-feel; flush moulded material, giving the vehicle a greater interior quality.
Designed to meet the requirements of warm climate markets such as South Africa, the Ikon features an exceptional air conditioning system. This allows the vehicle to deliver class-leading levels of air-conditioning performance and comfort for both diesel and petrol powertrains.
The system has been developed to ensure extremely rapid cool down of the passenger compartment – this cooling capacity means that under normal operating conditions, the interior can be maintained at a very comfortable temperature with lower fan speeds, which significantly reduces interior noise levels and improves occupant comfort and prevents fatigue.
FEATURES
1.4-litre Ambiente
The 1.4-litre Ambiente is Ford’s entry-level Ikon offering, but remains well equipped with power operated windows at the front and rear, wipers with variable intermittent wash-wipe function, electrically operated fuel filler cap lock, heated rear window, remote boot lid release, keyless remote operated central locking and 2-speaker CD player with AM/FM radio.
Convenience features include; a driver and passenger sun visor with covered vanity mirror, front door panel with bottle holders, and floor console with integrated rear cup holders and passenger seat back pockets.
The Ikon features 14” steel wheels, with covers, as standard with a full size spare wheel. Air conditioning, power steering and ABS brakes are also standard fitment. Adding to the aesthetic appeal the base model features black instrument clusters with tacho, colour moulded gear shift and park brake as well door trim with ‘Core’ fabric inserts. The exterior styling features body coloured bumpers, body colour door handles and headlights with black bezel integral indicators.
The 1.6-litre Trend and 1.4-litre TDCi Trend
The Trend features all the spec found in the 1.4 Ambiente Petrol model but benefits from the addition of a front interior courtesy lamp with reading light, rear reading lamps, front ashtray and front cigar lighter socket with lighter and 100% folding rear seat back. The gear shift and park brake are painted while Optimum Aluminium interior door handles complete the interior look.
Exterior styling is differentiated with the addition of fog lamps to the body coloured bumpers, body colour door mirrors, the addition of chrome bezel integral indicators and the body colour rear appliqué.
