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Sharon's New Car

Ford to launch new Fiesta in two weeks with two petrol engines and two transmissions

GOAUTO has obtained full official specifications for Ford Australia’s crucial new light-car, the redesigned WS-series Fiesta hatchback, more than two weeks ahead of its launch at the Sydney motor show on October 9

As before, the new Fiesta will be available in both three-door and five-door hatch body styles, with three specification grades and two engines on offer - led by a more powerful 1.6-litre DOHC inline Duratec four-cylinder delivering 88kW of power at 6000rpm and 152Nm of torque at 4050rpm (up from 74kW/146Nm)

This time around, however, the 1.6 will be a five-speed manual-only proposition, in which guise it returns a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 6.1L/100km and produces 143g/km of CO2 emissions
And, instead of the 110kW/190Nm 2.0-litre engine that powers the current Fiesta XR4, which will not initially be replaced, the new Duratec 1.6 will be sold alongside a new entry-level 1.4-litre inline four-cylinder engine that produces 71kW at 5750rpm (just 3kW shy of the outgoing 1.6) and 128Nm at 4200rpm
Mated exclusively to a four-speed automatic transmission, the 1388cc four returns a higher ADR81/01 fuel consumption figure of 6.9L/100km and higher CO2 emissions of 164g/km

There will be no diesel option, though both 1.4 and 1.6 petrol engines are 91 RON and E10 unleaded fuel-compatible (via a capless refuelling system)

The CL specification grade will replace the LX as the entry-level Fiesta variant, while the LX becomes the midrange variant for both body styles
Previously the midrange variant, the Zetec becomes the flagship version for both body styles, replacing the WQ-series Fiesta XR4 three-door and Ghia five-door
The CL 1.4 three-door auto should replace the LX 1.6 three-door manual as the entry-level Fiesta variant, and could even undercut the current model's $15,990 starting price

Standard equipment across the range will include twin front airbags and an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), plus air-conditioning, power windows/mirrors, remote central locking, a rear foglight and 15x6.0-inch wheels with 195/50-section tyres
The midrange LX variant, available only in five-door guise, adds alloy wheels, cruise control and voice-activated Bluetooth connectivity as standard
Electronic stability control (ESC) with emergency brake assist (EBA), twin front side airbags and a driver’s knee airbag will be standard only in the flagship Zetec variant, and is collectively available as a safety option pack on CL and LX versions
Zetecs also gain 16x6.5-inch alloys (with 195/45-section tyres) as standard
A 17x7.0-inch alloy with 205/40 R17 rubber will be available, but only a temporary-use (14x5.5-inch) spare wheel will be fitted, with a 175/65-section tyre

The new "Kinetic Design" Fiesta is on average 40kg lighter than before due to the increased use of high-strength steels - which now form more than half of the body structure and are claimed to make it more torsionally rigid
Kerb weights for the three-door Fiesta are 1061kg (CL), 1065kg (LX) and 1067kg (Zetec), while the five-door is 10kg heavier at 1071, 1075 and 1077kg respectively
As a result, for what it’s worth, the five-door Fiesta has a 5kg (525kg) unbraked towing capacity, though all models are rated to tow 900kg with a braked trailer

All new Fiestas ride on a 3mm longer 2489mm wheelbase, and while the three-door measures 3950mm long (8mm longer in Zetec guise), 1709mm wide and 1481mm high, the five-door is 13mm wider - not longer

MacPherson strut front and solid beam rear suspension configurations continue, as does a ventilated front disc and drum rear brake set-up, while a new electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system is fitted

Australia's supply of the European-designed WS Fiesta will switch from Cologne in Germany to Rayong in Thailand, which has a free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia, from late 2009
This could allow Ford to make the Fiesta nameplate more price-competitive than ever with direct light-car rivals like Toyota’s top-selling Yaris, the next generation of which could come also to Australia from Thailand, as well as other Japanese-built cars like the Suzuki Swift and Mazda2 - and even Korean-built models like the Hyundai Getz, Kia Rio and Holden Barina

Ford’s all-new Fiesta light car is funky, fashionable and fuel efficient and finally Ford thinks it may have found the secret to posting real sales numbers in the growing and competitive end of the Australian new car market

The current Ford Fiesta is a good car, but the company and particularly its dealers have struggled with shedding the 'Falcon Car Company' image and making real inroads into sales in the light and small car segments
With monthly sales of just under 500 units the Fiesta has not kicked the goals for Ford that it should have, but with a rejuvenated marketing team, led by recently appointed Vice-President of Sales and Market, Beth Donovan, a small car expert from the US, the company is now aiming to double that figure
Not without reason either as in-house rival Mazda is currently selling about 900 Mazda2's a month, the Fiesta is built on the same platform, while Toyota has been pushing up to 2400 Yaris’ a month out the door
Ms Donovan says that with the new WS Fiesta, which officially goes on sale on January 1, 2009, Ford expects to move 900-1000 vehicles a month

At the media launch of the Fiesta in Adelaide, she made it clear to CarAdvice that with the launch of the Fiesta, which will be joined by a new, locally made Focus in 2010, the company was blurring the lines between segments in the growing light and small car arena
Ford believes that potential buyers will crossover from the bottom end of the focus market into the top end of the Fiesta market and while Ms Donovan was clear that no firm decision had been made on re-introducing the Ka, sub light segment car, this too could see a crossover between Fiesta buyers and those opting for the even smaller vehicle
Not that the new Fiesta is small, and like cars in all segments, current design principles mean the vehicle is spacious on the inside, while compact on the outside
She says that the company expects sales to be about 45 percent the base CL model with the Zetec accounting for 20 percent of sales and the LX the remainder
On the question of automatic or manual, she says this is somewhat blurred at the moment due to shifts in buying patterns as more people move towards smaller vehicles and initially Ford expects to sell about 50-50 automatics and manuals

Ford says the dramatic, eye-catching design of the new model is an extension of its acclaimed kinetic design language
Clean, sharp angular lines instantly differentiate the new model from its competitors, while a space age-like interior introduces an easy-to-master suite of operational controls

To go with the fresh new look there is very competitive recommended retail pricing, starting at $15,750 for the CL model, $18,490 for the LX and $20,250 for the Zetec

A 1.6-litre engine with manual transmission is standard across the range, while an automatic transmission, matched to a 1.4-litre engine, is available as an option on all models except the three-door Zetec
The auto 'box equipped cars weren't available for the media to drive at the launch, due to supply delays, and in fact Ford says the 1.4-litre automatic won’t be in dealers until February next year

The 1.6-litre engine with manual transmission delivers 88kW of power at 6000rpm and 152Nm of torque at 4050rpm
Fuel consumption is a frugal 6.1L/100km and carbon emissions are contained to 143g/km
The slightly smaller 1.4-litre engine mated to the automatic transmission generates 71kW of power at 5750rpm and 128Nm of torque at 4200rpm
Fuel consumption is 6.9L/100km, carbon emissions are 164g/km, and all Fiestas are Ethanol-10 compatible

Fiesta will be available in both three-door and five-door body styles
The CL will be available in three-door or five-door guise, with manual transmission or optional automatic, and rides on 15-inch wheels
The LX is five-door only, available with manual or optional automatic, and is standard with 15-inch alloy wheels
The sports model of the range, the Zetec, is offered in both three-door and five-door configurations
The five-door is available with manual or optional automatic while the three-door is manual only

Styling cues help distinguish the Zetec from its stablemates, which include larger 16-inch alloy wheels and a body kit comprising unique front and rear bumper, bumper grille and larger rear spoiler
The three-door model also features sports rocker panel mouldings
The Zetec model has been awarded a five-star safety rating by EuroNCAP and Ford expects ANCAP to give the same safety rating
The lesser models will only get a four-star rating in standard form, but can be optioned with a $1000 safety pack, which will take them up to the five-star standard

All new Fiesta models will be fitted with Anti-lock Brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and while braking is quite up to the job, we’d have to wonder about the use of DRUM brakes on the rear !!
Driver and passenger airbags are standard and a driver knee airbag is standard on both Zetec models
Additional safety equipment, optional on CL and LX and standard on Zetec, includes front seat head and thorax side airbags, driver knee airbag and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Traction Control and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)

Technology features include Bluetooth with Voice Control (available on LX and Zetec) and USB connectivity, allowing MP3 player integration (Zetec), while a 3.5mm audio jack and Easyfuel capless refuelling is standard on all models

Cruise control is standard on LX and Zetec models, and these vehicles are also fitted with a leather-trimmed steering wheel

There are 11 exterior paint colours available across the new Fiesta range

Ms Donovan expects the Fiesta to attract a range of new customers both young and older to the Ford brand but emphasises that much of the styling and design features in the car are aimed at younger buyers
The look of the car is, in our opinion, well balanced and there’s definitely more appeal in the shape than the sibling Mazda2, which suffers from a 'big bum' rear end and 'bulging eyes' headlights, neither of which are as flattering to the overall appearance as the more sweeping lines of the Ford

Driving the car it is obvious that the car is very clearly targeted at a younger market with a heavy influence on styling, including optional dashboard colours, a range of technology connectivity that allows the use of phones, music and the like without the driver having to take the hands off the steering and controls which are suited to city driving

The electric power steering is light at low speed but still perhaps a little light at highway speed for the serious driver

Ride and handling is well controlled and confident, without being exceptional, while the damping is aimed more at comfort than handling and does occasionally produce a bouncy ride over the short, sharp corrugations so often found on Australian roads

Performance from the 1.6-litre engine, coupled to the five-speed manual gearbox, was more than adequate for a spirited afternoon of driving through the Adelaide Hills, without setting any speed records
We felt the performance would suit the target market and Ford emphasised that its own research showed that this market was more interested in the technology inside the cabin than a "few extra kilowatts under the bonnet"
There's more than enough torque on hand to keep the car moving, even up the steepest inclines, and the handling is sufficiently reassuring that good speed can be carried into corners, negating the need for constant gear shifting

Seating in the front of the Fiesta is supportive and comfortable and while rear seat room is adequate for two adults, we would suggest that three across seating would be confined to children and teenagers
As buyers of the Fiesta will probably be either young drivers, who traditionally seem to travel with just one passenger, or older buyers who won’t have many rear seat passengers either the accommodation in the rear is unlikely to be an issue

The boot offers a generous 280-litres of space with the rear seats up and when they are folded this increases to 965-litres

Against some of its rivals the car feels more accommodating than the Toyota Yaris but probably less spacious than Honda’s new Jazz
We’ll be putting the new Fiesta to the test against its rivals early in 2009 and will be able to give a definitive answer on which is the best at that time

Ford Australia has announced that the sharp n' funky 2009 Fiesta will be on sale Down Under from next January, with prices ranging from $15,750 AUD to $20,990

The base model CL fleshes out the bottom of the Fiesta range, and is available in either three or five door flavours
The economy-pack member of the bunch, the CL gets 15-inch steel wheels, a CD player with MP3 player input, steering-wheel mounted audio controls and air conditioning
Not over-burdened with kit, but it should make the morning commute more than pleasant enough

Fork out a little more coin for the Fiesta LX, however, and the spec level improves markedly
For $18,490 you get five-door practicality, 15-inch alloys, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and voice-controllable Bluetooth connectivity - as well as the same steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and air conditioning of the CL

At the top of the range sits the Fiesta Zetec, which gets all the goodies from the CL and LX and throws in 16-inch alloys, a unique bodykit, chrome trim around the side glass, a larger rear spoiler and a USB input for the stereo system
A comprehensive safety suite is also standard fare on the Zetec, which comprises front head and thorax airbags, a driver's knee airbag, dynamic stability control, traction control and emergency brake assist
At just $20,250 for the (manual only) three-door, the Zetec looks like good buying

Curiously, choice of engine is dictated by what transmission is selected
An 88kW 1.6 litre inline-four with 152Nm of torque and a five-speed manual is standard across the Fiesta range, but tick the box for the optional four-speed auto and engine capacity drops to 1.4 litres, while output takes a dive to 71kW and 128Nm

The bigger-capacity cars also win in the thriftiness stakes - fuel economy is 6.1 l/100km for manual equipped Fiestas and 6.9 l/100km for the auto, so the smart money would be on the good ol' fashioned stick shift

ABS with EBD is standard on all Fiesta models, as are driver and passenger airbags

The higher protection offered by the Zetec's extra 'bags and electronic aids is also available on the other models as part of an optional Safety Pack, which costs $1000

Cross-drilled alloy pedals, an illuminated gear lever and alloy scuff plates are also optional extras across the range, as is a towing kit

The 2009 Ford Fiesta goes on sale across the country from January 2009, with sales of automatic-equipped Fiestas beginning the following month

Ford went global with its fourth-generation Fiesta

Developed under the 'One Ford' regime that is slashing inefficiencies and streamlining global model line-ups, the baby Ford arrived in Australia in record time in early 2009
It came aggressively priced, brashly styled and lavishly equipped with multi-media connectivity and excellent crash-test results to impress younger buyers and the older demographic alike

No light car available in Australia offered the combination of stability control, MP3, Bluetooth and voice-control connectivity, cruise control, and an ENCAP five-star adult occupant safety rating (safety pack models only)

Cutting wind noise was a further priority, while reducing weight by around 40kg also meant that while power and torque outputs rose in the manual-only 1.6-litre models, fuel consumption and carbon dioxide figures fell

Compared to its WQ predecessor, the base CL in three and five-door guises was the new LX, the five-door only LX was the new Ghia, and Zetec continued to be the saucy Fiesta, whether it came as a manual-only three-door or manual-or-auto five-door
The key length/width/height/wheelbase dimensions of 3950/1722/1481/2489mm means that the WS is around the same size as the WQ model (3924/1685/1468/2486mm)

Other features include electric power steering, while the segment-norm MacPherson strut front and twist-beam rear suspension design is an evolution of the old car’s system

Among the safety items are ABS with EBD, stability control, traction control, EBA Emergency Brake Assist, side airbags and a driver’s knee airbag

WS Fiestas with the standard five-speed manual gearbox to deliver 88kW of power at 6000rpm (with 85 per cent centred between 2000 and 6000rpm) and 152Nm of torque at 4050rpm
Fuel consumption is rated at 6.1 litres per 100 kilometres and 143 grams of CO2 emissions
Meanwhile, the four-speed automatic gearbox is paired to Ford’s 1.4-litre twin-cam 16-valver producing 71kW at 5750rpm and 128Nm at 4200rpm
It returns 6.9L/100km and 164g/km

All models include ABS and EBD, dual front airbags, air-conditioning, power windows, remote central locking, and CD/radio audio with an MP3 jack
The LX adds the five-door body as standard, cruise control, leather-trimmed steering wheel, Bluetooth with Voice Control, a trip computer and 15-inch alloy wheels, while the Zetec has all the safety gear (DSC, EBA, side and knee airbags), 16-inch alloy wheels, a perimeter alarm and a body kit - among other items