THE latest incarnation of Ford’s Fiesta represents a quantum leap over anything that has gone before, being a revolutionary new offering in comparison to the evolutionary models that preceded it.
Although the nation’s favourite supermini has undergone continuous improvement for more than three decades, the current car is in the right place at the right time to benefit from a raft of safety, security, electronic and technological improvements made possible by the very latest in high-tech design and manufacturing techniques.
It is the safest, most sophisticated, economical and environmentally-friendly Fiesta by a country mile and is universally tipped to become
Studio models cost from £8,695 and come with an Intelligent Protection System featuring ABS, front, side and knee airbags, while a CD player, central locking and power mirrors keep up the comfort levels.
Style models are priced from £9,295 and have a bolder look with body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and door handles. Inside an upgraded four-speaker sound system, power front windows and remote central locking complete the package.
Style + versions cost from £10,395 and gain Ford's Quickclear heated windscreen and air conditioning.
Zetec models are the best-sellers with prices from £10,995 to include 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, a leather steering wheel, chrome grille and bodywork detailing and interior ambient lighting.
Zetec S versions cost from £12,595 and gain larger 16-inch alloy wheels, a deeper front bumper, side mouldings, a rear spoiler and sports suspension.
Titanium models cost from £12,095 and have the accent upon luxury with electronic temperature control, privacy glass, cruise control, automatic headlamps, automatic wipers, power folding mirrors and carpet mats.
More than 55 per cent of the body structure features high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel although the body is lighter than its predecessor, which helps to improve fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Ford’s Intelligent Protection System (IPS) incorporates the first use of a knee airbag in a small Ford car plus head-and-thorax side airbags and safety curtain airbags. There is also an array of pedestrian protection features. It is assuned that the new Fiesta will achieve the highest possible supermini safety ratings from EuroNCAP. New engines, the use of sophisticated electronics and the latest technology mean that all new Fiestas are significantly cleaner and more economical than those they replace. The ECOnetic has lowered suspension, low rolling resistance tyres and a specially calibrated Duratorq 1.6-litre TDCi for an ultra-low 98g/km CO2 figure, making it exempt from
The new Fiesta combines newly-developed, revised and enhanced powertrains with its overall weight reduction to achieve better performance, fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.
The range comprises four 16-valve Duratec petrol and two Duratorq TDCi diesel engines.
A key development is the new Fiesta ECOnetic, offering the torque of the 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engine with CO2 emissions of just 99g/km. The sub-100g Fiesta ECOnetic joins the sub-140 g/km Ford Mondeo and sub-120 g/km Ford Focus ECOnetic models.
Other Duratorq TDCi engines also benefit from refinements to their common rail injection systems to deliver enhanced fuel economy, lower CO2 emissions and improved performance.
The new 120bhp 1.6-litre Duratec Ti-VCT petrol engine is available in the Fiesta Zetec S and Titanium models. Despite its feisty character and 20 additional horsepower, it is even more fuel efficient than the 100bhp, 1.6-litre engine in the previous Fiesta. The Fiesta Zetec S can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 9.9 seconds, while achieving a combined fuel economy of 47.9 mpg and CO2 emissions of 139 g/km.
Other 16-valve Duratec petrol engines are offered in 1.25-litre 60bhp and 1.4-litre 96bhp guises, with an automatic transmission option available on the latter.
Overall, the latest Fiestas are 22 per cent quicker than those they replace, model for model.
The new Fiesta costs from £8,695, which is £155 less than its predecessor, model for model. The ECOnetic version is exempt from road tax and costs from £11,845. There are sporty and luxury models from £12,095. Various engine options are on offer with prices from £8,695 for Studio versions. The Style+ trim and equipment level models cost from £10,395 whilst Zetec takes this to £10,995 and Zetec S models cost from £12,595.
Titanium versions are priced from £12,095