MORE details of the most important car launch of the year have been revealed.
Ford’s brand-new Fiesta has been uncovered in right-hand drive guise, prior to its public debut at the British Motor Show in a few days.
It certainly has us excited. The three- and five-door supermini looks great. Has there even been a Fiesta this bold? Bravely creased and rippled, the body is bound to stand out in the crucial (and rapidly growing) supermini sector. All those downsizers will find lots to like here.
The interior is equally distinctive, and a far cry from today’s model. It uses the company’s Multi Media Interface mobile phone-style steering wheel controls, and comes, like the exterior, in a huge array of bold colours.
IPod interactivity is said to be particularly clever. High quality has also been promised, while a knee airbag is a first in a small Ford. As is the EasyFuel filler nozzle gadget, and ‘Ford Power’ start button.
All models get electric door mirrors, and reach plus rake-adjust steering should keep showroom browsers happy. The range comprises Studio, Style, Style Plus (adding a/c?), Zetec, Zetec S and Titanium. No Ghia. Don’t shed a tear…
Engines are largely similar to today’s line-up – though overall, Ford claims a 22 per cent reduction in 0-62mph times, and 14 per cent better in-gear acceleration. Good. A current 1.25 Fiesta certainly ‘aint fast. Economy is also much better; thank low overall weight for that.
Like the Mazda 2 whose platform this shares, the Fiesta is up to 40kg lighter than the old car.
Topping the range at launch will be a 1.6-litre Zetec-S model. This is a new engine with variable valve timing, producing 120bhp and hitting 60 in 9.9 seconds. While also averaging 48 to the gallon. Hopefully, handling, like the old car, will be brilliant.
There will also be an Econetic diesel model, producing less than 100g/km of CO2, and averaging well over 70mpg.
With low cost of ownership and repair promised, the new Fiesta looks like some car to us. Find out more at the show; three- and five-door models will go on sale from October 2008.
