Ford
    Fiesta Review and Road Test 
    7th December 2008 
    Test Vehicle = 2009 Ford WS Fiesta CL 1.4-litre four-cylinder
    petrol four-speed automatic five-door hatch
    Its time to start using the 'F' word
    with confidence 
    Say it more frequently and with greater conviction - the Ford
    Fiesta rocks 
 
    The Ford Fiesta CL is the base model in the Fiesta range, joined
    by the LX, Zetec and new ECOnetic variants 
    There is however, nothing basic about this entry level Fiesta
    - it sets a high benchmark 
 
    The Ford Fiesta CL comes standard with a 1.6-litre, five speed
    manual spec, but were testing the four-speed automatic
    which is matched to a 1.4-litre engine - but dont let that
    put you off, the Ford Fiesta is a solid performer 
 
    This model Fiesta gave us significant styling changes from its
    boxy predecessor 
    Now boasting a modern design, particularly when you compare it
    to rivals such as the Hyundai Getz, the Ford Fiesta looks set
    to be a leader in light car style 
    Its sleek body and sloping roof line shows hints of a fun and
    funky personality 
    In a recent light car comparison the Fiesta was voted the most
    'unisex' of a six car line-up 
 
    The Ford Fiesta's 1.4-litre engine produces 71kW at 5,750rpm
    and 125Nm at 4,200rpm, which translates into a surprisingly eager
    performance, with a sweet little engine note 
 
    The Fiesta performs beautifully on long freeway journeys and
    amidst tight winding roads and the automatic transmission is
    quick to drop gears when the going gets a little more demanding
    on steep hills 
 
    The Fiestas steering is effortless - light and easy to
    handle on all manner of roads 
    It provides just enough feedback to make it a fun and engaging
    drive, without too much effort 
 
    The Ford Fiestas suspension - MacPherson strut front suspensions
    and torsion beam on the rear - delivers a very composed ride 
    Precise steering and a very well balanced ride make for a very
    agile ride 
 
    Poor rearward visibility on the other hand, makes the Fiesta
    more tricky to park than you might expect 
 
    On a combined route test, the Ford Fiesta CL delivered a fuel
    consumption figure of around 8.4L/100km - not quite the 6.9L/100km
    as claimed by the manufacturer 
 
    The Fiestas wedge shape cuts a slick, sporty profile which
    sits nicely on 15-inch wheels 
    Sweeping headlights, fog lights, tinted windows, a rear spoiler
    and well proportioned panels all work together to pull off a
    great looking car 
 
    And when it comes to interior styling, the Fiesta does not disappoint 
    The angular lines of the interior create a very modern feel,
    the dash and instrumentation is clean and the design cohesive,
    while all five seats offer great comfort, with good seating position
    and adjustability for the driver 
    Knobs, dials and buttons are solid to the touch, adding to the
    quality feel of the Fiesta 
 
    The lack of cruise control is a downer 
 
    Second row passengers it seems are somewhat of an after-thought,
    with manual wind windows and no storage options 
    Aside from this, the Fiesta feels well aligned with the price
    tag and exudes a high quality and well thought out finish 
 
    The Fiesta boasts a great audio sound, despite having only four
    speakers 
    Audio controls can be found on the steering wheel and an auxiliary
    point puts your gadgets to good use 
    If you havent graduated to iPod status, a single CD player
    is also included 
 
    The Fiesta CL falls disappointingly short on some safety features 
    Driver and front passenger airbags are standard, but side airbags
    and drivers knee airbags are an option 
    Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution are
    standard, but stability control with emergency brake assist and
    traction control are an option 
    The Fiesta scores a four-star ANCAP rating nonetheless (five-star
    when fitted with the optional safety pack) 
 
    The Fiesta has 60:40 split-fold rear seats that flip forward
    easily to reveal a good load space 
    Its no Honda Jazz, but it will accommodate a decent load
    (281-litres with seats up) 
 
    The Fiesta puts up a very convincing show of style and substance 
    Option the safety package and the Fiesta ticks all of the boxes 
    As stated, its time to update your vocabulary to include
    the 'F' word 
    **************************************************************************
    First
    Drive ... New Fiesta Is Fords 'Comeback Kid' 
    15th December 2008
    All guns blazing, Ford Australia hits back
    with its all-new global B-segment hatch 
    Underlined by its international 'This Is Now' ad campaign, Ford
    Australia believes the new WS-series Fiesta is the right light-car
    in the right place at the right time 
 
    Presented to the Australian media in Adelaide last week, but
    not slated for sale until late January, the German-built hatchback
    range arrives just three months after its global debut in Europe 
 
    Prices kick off from $15,750 for the base Fiesta CL, culminating
    (for now) in the $20,990 Zetec 
    Choosing an automatic adds $1500, while adding two more doors
    to the CL and Zetec costs another $740 
 
    Developed under the 'One Ford' regime that aims to slash inefficiencies
    and streamline global model line-ups, this fourth-generation
    'Mark Six' Fiestas mission is to turn Ford around - and
    fast 
    That is why the baby Ford is in Australia in record time, aggressively
    priced, brashly styled and lavishly equipped with multimedia
    connectivity and excellent crash-test results to impress younger
    buyers and the older demographic alike 
 
    No light-car available in Australia right now can be had with
    the combination of stability control, MP3, Bluetooth and voice-control
    connectivity, cruise control and a five-star Euro NCAP adult
    occupant safety rating (safety pack models only) 
    Currently, the Fiesta also leads in ENCAP child safety (four
    stars) and is pedestrian-impact competitive (three stars), thanks
    to an energy-absorbent front bumper, a specially designed bonnet
    and the careful rearrangement of likely engine-bay hard-points 
    However, unlike its DE-series Mazda2 cousin with which it shares
    around 50 per cent of parts, the Fiesta forgoes curtain airbags
    - head and thorax-protecting side airbags are for the front occupants
    only, as are whiplash-reducing and anti-submarining seats and
    a special carpet underlay designed to lessen lower-leg injuries 
 
    Mirroring the Mazda, though, the Ford is lighter than its predecessor,
    by approximately 40kg 
    This has been achieved through the adoption of a lighter body
    structure employing high-strength and ultra high-strength steels
    - with a welcome ten-per-cent torsion stiffness increase to boot 
    Particular attention has been paid to beefing up the A and B-pillars,
    rocker panels, rocker baffles, side roof arch, lower A-pillar
    area and floor pan 
    The mass exodus has allowed Ford to fit around five kilogram
    of extra sound deadening, along with double door seals, fully
    encapsulated glass, and a secondary bulkhead barrier, in order
    to quell road and mechanical noise intrusion into the cabin 
 
    Cutting wind noise was a further priority, with detailed work
    in this area carried out at component level in order to create
    a quieter car "
even before the first prototype was
    built" according to Ford 
    The company says the Fiesta achieves class-best front-seat articulation
    indexation, with rear-sited passengers able to experience easily
    audible conversation with the people in front 
 
    Reducing weight also means that while power and torque outputs
    rise in the manual-only 1.6-litre models, fuel consumption and
    carbon dioxide figures fall 
    And although the automatic-only 1.4-litre WS Fiesta is not as
    powerful as the old 1.6-litre WQ auto, it too is significantly
    more economical and less polluting, as Ford strives to slash
    European consumer-penalising carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions 
 
    Furthermore, our Fiesta will come out of Fords 100 per
    cent renewable-energy Cologne factory initially, before switching
    to the joint Ford/Mazda plant in Thailand from about 2010 
    It will also be built on three other continents and available
    on five, with the floundering United States market getting its
    first taste of a B-segment Ford in three decades 
 
    Ford Australia president and former global small-car line director
    Marin Burela said this Fiesta is the most significant vehicle
    for Ford since the Model T commenced mobilising the world 100
    years ago 
 
    To aid the new Fiestas global reach, more body styles are
    on their way, including the recently unveiled four-door sedan
    and a tall wagon-esque mini-MPV that is expected to be called
    the B-Max, but for now the WS line-up in Australia is a hatch-only
    proposition 
 
    Compared to its WQ predecessor, the base CL in three and five-door
    guises is the new LX, the five-door-only LX is the new Ghia and
    the Zetec continues to be the saucy Fiesta, whether it comes
    as a manual-only three-door or manual-or-auto five-door 
    No XR4 or ST version has been announced as yet, but you can bet
    that small-capacity forced-induction Fiestas will be on their
    way in the not-too-distant future 
 
    Key length/width/height/wheelbase dimensions of 3950/1722/1481/2489mm
    mean the WS is around the same size as the WQ model (3924/1685/1468/2486mm) 
 
    Styled under the watchful eye of ex-Audi designer Martin Smith
    (whose credits also include the acclaimed 1991 Audi Avus Quattro
    concept and current-generation Opel/Vauxhall/Holden Astra), the
    Fiesta is charged with visually enticing its way onto light-car
    buyers' consideration lists 
    To that end, it features Fords Kinetic design language
    as introduced in production vehicles by the current Mondeo mid-sizer,
    espousing a gaping air-intake, setback headlights, large wheel-arches,
    a coupe-esque wedge profile, chamfered rear window and raised
    tail-lights - all of which is in stark contrast to the preceding
    Fiestas boxy, Teutonic, visage 
 
    The same is true inside, where an organic symmetry, soft surfaces
    and an eclectic use of trim and colour replace the hard if functional
    edges of the old car 
    Ford says it was inspired by mobile telephones and personal music
    players, and introduces a new level of interactivity and functionality
    to this class of car coined the Human Machine Interface (HMI) 
    This includes a high-mounted screen that is sited above the audio
    and communication controls, which are laid out like 'good portable
    electronic designs' for younger/technophile people to identify
    with 
    The instruments are bright and 'binocular-shaped' and are easily
    seen through a steering wheel that ' on most models ' contains
    all the essential remote switches as well as cruise control functions 
 
    Differing from the old model inside is the 30mm-lower seating
    position, a driver's seat that adjusts up and down by 55mm as
    well as 286mm fore and aft for improved accommodation, the implementation
    of a driver's left footrest, a tilt and reach-adjustable steering
    wheel (that is now set at a less acute angle), a higher instrument
    panel and a 20mm higher gear lever 
    All aim to ensconce individuals ranging from the 2.5 percentile
    female to the 97.5 percentile male, while creating a cosier 'cockpit'
    feel 
    Front legroom is up by 11mm to a class-leading 1069mm; front
    shoulder space is rated at 1350mm; and front headroom is 991mm,
    while there is 953mm of clearance for rear-seat heads despite
    the swoopy styling, plus 1297mm for shoulders and 823mm for legs 
 
    Cargo area capacity climbs from 281 litres to 965 litres when
    the split/folding rear seats are down 
 
    Ford has also introduced a number of colour and trim combinations
    depending on which Fiesta variant is chosen, while the use of
    ambient lighting further strives to emulate premium electronic
    devices 
 
    Electronics have also found their way into the steering set-up,
    resulting in Ford of Europe's first wholly electronic-powered
    steering system dubbed E-PAS 
    A rack-and-pinion design, E-PAS reduces low-speed effort while
    maintaining the weightier feel of the hydraulic set-up of the
    old Fiesta, Ford claims 
    It also cuts out when not needed to save fuel and cut CO2 emissions 
    A speed sensor controls this, while a reduced steering ratio
    from 15:1 to 14.25:1 aids responsiveness and allows for a competitive
    10.2-metre turning circle 
    The E-PAS move marks a seachange for Ford, which previously resisted
    similar set-ups in the name of the kind of dynamic agility and
    feel offered by an electro-hydraulic system as found in the current-generation
    Focus 
    "(Yet) people kept telling us they love the finger-light
    steering feel of the Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz" stated
    Fords import product marketing manager, Jogi Shetti 
    Ford says it covered over 50,000km of E-PAS-related testing and
    fine-tuning, on roads as disparate as "
narrow city
    streets to twisty country roads" 
 
    While the 'B299 project' architecture is fresh, the segment-norm
    MacPherson strut front and twist-beam rear suspension design
    is an evolution of the old car's system, but has been completely
    reworked - as well as pared down in weight - for the latest Fiesta 
    The twist-beam, for instance, is 28 per cent thicker in diameter
    and a 3mm front anti-roll bar thickness increase has also been
    administered for more agile handling, while a larger twist-beam
    pivot bush helps to better-absorb bumps for improved refinement 
    Cost and packaging-related space constraints precluded a multi-link
    independent design that underpins many larger models such as
    the Focus, Mondeo, Falcon and Territory - yet Ford claims the
    Fiesta twist-beam's level of controllability and ride comfort
    is comparable 
 
    Unfortunately for fast-Ford aficionados, the harder European
    Zetec suspension tune - with its firmer dampers and thicker anti-roll
    bars - has been rejected for Australian Zetec models on the grounds
    of simplicity - this means all local Fiestas will run the same
    (albeit European-spec) standard suspension tune 
    'Our' Zetec, by the way, is an amalgam of the European Titanium
    model, since its mechanical package more closely aligned with
    Ford Australias needs 
 
    The ventilated front brake discs are 258mm in diameter by 23mm
    thick, while 200x40mm wide drums reside at the back, and are
    backed up by an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic
    brake-force distribution (EBD) as standard 
    Among the driver aids is electronic stability control (ESC),
    known as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) in Ford-speak 
    Along with traction control, emergency brake assist (EBA), side
    airbags and a drivers knee airbag, it is standard on Zetec
    models but part of a $1000 safety pack option on all other Fiestas 
    Ford tuned its DSC to be "
non-intrusive during spirited
    driving but to provide crucial protection should the situation
    require it, something which required careful, detailed development
    work" 
 
    Frustratingly, the Australian drive launch of the Fiesta precluded
    the 1.4-litre automatic-only engine derivatives that are expected
    to account for at least 45 per cent of all sales 
    The alternative, a 1596cc (1.6-litre) DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder
    Duratec petrol engine, is new to Australia, and is only available
    with a five-speed manual gearbox at present 
    It possesses twin independent variable cam timing known as Ti-VCT,
    which operates on both the intake and exhaust camshaft, to help
    deliver 88kW of power at 6000rpm (with 85 per cent available
    between 2000 and 6000rpm) and 152Nm of torque on tap from 4050rpm 
    These are up from the WQ Fiesta 1.6s 74kW at 6000rpm and
    146Nm at 4000rpm respectively 
    Euro 4 emissions-rated, the new unit returns 6.1 litres per 100km
    and 143 grams of CO2 emissions, compared to its predecessor's
    6.6L/100km and 156g/km outputs 
 
    Meanwhile, the four-speed automatic gearbox is paired to another
    fresh powerplant to Australia - Fords 1388cc 1.4-litre
    DOHC 16-valve four producing 71kW at 5750rpm (down 3kW) and 128Nm
    at 4200rpm (18Nm below before) 
    At least its greener, recording 6.9 instead of 7.5L/100km
    and 164 instead of 177g/km, as the company recognises that key
    European markets are now taxing owners according to their CO2
    outputs 
 
    A 1.4-litre TDCi turbo-diesel engine may be released sometime
    in the future ("Id love to have it on sale in Australia"
    opined Mr Shetti), but the $3000-plus premium this would incur
    eliminates it from Australia for the time being 
 
    Ford may be stalling the diesel, but the Fiestas new anti-stall
    engine software is already here, and is aimed at luring novice
    drivers who prefer to change gears themselves 
 
    A total of 3.5 million kilometres of on-road testing was carried
    out, with 41 prototypes accumulating up to 45,000km per vehicle
    every eight weeks on public roads 
    Others included 550 component and system-level lab tests for
    durability, functionality, serviceability and degradation over
    a vehicle's lifetime, as well as 300,000 operations for doors,
    tailgate and bonnet life tests in real-world environmental conditions
    featuring dirt, dust salt, humidity and temperatures varying
    from -40 to 80 degrees Celsius 
    This car has been engineered and tested for a life of at least
    240,000km or 10 years, the company states, adding that this is
    the same standard achieved for the Focus and Mondeo 
 
    Besides Germany and Thailand, the new Fiesta will also be built
    in Spain, China and the Americas 
 
    All Fiestas are equipped with a multiplex electrical system incorporating
    a trio of CAN-Bus networks to look after driveability and safety
    (ABS, DSC, E-PAS, airbags and transmission), 'upper body control
    systems' such as the automatic temperature control devices and
    the HMI media and audio features 
 
    A capless fuel filling system is another Fiesta innovation that
    follows in the tyre treads of the Mondeo, while the Zetec model
    benefits from high-intensity projector-beam headlights for better
    night-time vision 
 
    All models come standard with ABS and EBD, dual front airbags,
    air-conditioning, power windows, remote central locking and a
    CD/AM/FM sound system with MP3 input jack 
    The LX adds the five-door body as standard, plus cruise control,
    a 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) plus 16-inch
    alloy wheels, a perimeter alarm and a body kit - among other
    items 
 
    Tyre choices are 195/50 R15 on steel rims (CL), 195/50 R15H with
    alloys (LX) and 195/45 R16 with alloys (Zetec), while all versions
    come with a 175/65 R14 temporary spare wheel 
 
    Of the 11 exterior colours on offer, the European 'Magenta' hero
    hue (as seen on the Verve concept cars that previewed the B299)
    is not yet available in Australia as it is only a base-model
    colour 
    However, Ford is working on bringing this in 
 
    More importantly, Ford hopes to improve on the 500 or so WQ Fiesta
    vehicles it sells in Australia each month as the WS Fiesta takes
    on the Mazda2, Suzuki Swift and other Euro imports such as the
    VW Polo and Peugeot 207 
    Around 45 per cent of sales are expected to be CL models, followed
    in popularity by the LX at 35 per cent and the Zetec at 20 per
    cent 
    Manuals should narrowly outsell automatic models, says Ford 
    But the real chance for success against cheaper rivals such as
    the Hyundai Getz and Holden Barina arrives when Fiesta sourcing
    switches from Germany to Thailand in 2010 
    Since the original Fiesta was launched in Europe in 1976, some
    12 million have been sold worldwide 
 
    Generational changes occurred in 1989 (MkII) and 2002 (MkIII),
    with Australians having to wait until 2004 before the latter
    took over from the unsuccessful Ka and Ford Australias
    first modern B-segment vehicle in the Mazda 121-based WA Festiva
    launched in 1991 
    So far about 26,000 WP and WQ Fiestas have found homes in Australia 
    **************************************************************************
    Road
    Test
    ... Ford Fiesta 
    4th February 2009 
    Test Vehicle = Ford Fiesta WS LX 5-speed manual 1.6-litre Inline
    4-cylinder petrol
    Derived from the Latin word festa - to feast
    - Ford's new German-built Fiesta is very tasty 
 
    The all-new Ford Fiesta is a completely new vehicle that draws
    on the Blue Oval's 'kinetic' design philosophy and from the moment
    you sit in the vehicle it's clear that the bar has been set remarkably
    high 
    With a sharp new style designed to appeal to younger generations,
    the Fiesta range starts at $15,750 for the 3-door CL model 
 
    We're testing the mid-range Fiesta LX model, in 5-door configuration,
    which is priced at $18,490 and comes standard with driver and
    front passenger airbags, alloy wheels and cruise control 
 
    According to Ford's CEO Alan Mulally, the new Fiesta is the first
    vehicle to embody the 'One Ford' plan - the Blue Oval's bold
    first attempt at a truly global car 
    Designed from the outset to be sold in all major markets, including
    China, Australia, America and Europe, there's a lot riding on
    the new model 
    It is the "most significant global vehicle project since
    the Model T," according to Marin Burela, Ford Australia's
    President and CEO who was previously in charge of Ford's global
    small car division 
 
    As we discovered during our first test of this crucial vehicle,
    Ford appears to have broken very few eggs making this particularly
    flavoursome omelette 
    Even with dozens of vibrant and competitive rivals like the Honda
    Jazz and Mazda2, the Fiesta is in another league 
 
    From the outset it's clear that the Fiesta is a class leader
    - it took all of about three and a half minutes driving the car
    from Ford's HQ to realise how much the Blue Oval's European engineers
    have achieved with this new global car 
 
    The Fiesta feels like it was born to drive 
    It has a remarkably refined ride that is on par with some luxury
    cars - truly, it feels like it's a prestige car trapped inside
    a compact car's body 
    Simply put, it's able to soak up and deal with pretty much anything
    the road throws at it, quarantining occupants from diseased surfaces 
    Smooth roads, bumpy roads, changing road surfaces, tram lines,
    pot holes, train tracks, crumbling verges - the Fiesta almost
    seems to glide over them 
 
    And it gets better 
    Paired with the Fiesta's ultra-smooth suspension tune is one
    of the best gearbox-engine combinations I've come across in a
    compact car 
    Once you're seated comfortably in the drivers seat - and it's
    fairly roomy for such a little car - rowing through the gears
    and pedalling the clutch is very intuitive 
    The 5-speed manual transmission shifts cleanly and smoothly between
    gates and a light clutch makes this car eminently drivable 
    It requires very little effort to drive the manual model but
    is still remarkably involving to punt around - which bodes well
    for the automatic variants 
 
    The pint-sized Ford is a satisfying little buzz box, sporting
    what is arguably the best chassis of any car in its class 
    The steering is light and easygoing, which makes tight maneouvres,
    parking and U-turns effortless and contributes to the Fiesta's
    composed attitude 
    With its smooth ride and sophisticated powertrain, the new Ford
    Fiesta truly is a compelling drive - something that can seldom
    be said of compact cars 
    As strange as it feels to write this, few cars feel this well-rounded
    - compact or otherwise 
 
    Another aspect that impressed me about the new Fiesta was the
    clear rearward vision 
    The window line is quite high but it wraps around the rear of
    the vehicle giving you a good field of vision, cutting down the
    size of the blind spots 
 
    The story of sophistication continues inside the Fiesta LX, where
    occupants will find cloth seats upholstered with patterned fabric 
    This gives the cabin more character than the usual black-grey
    seats of most budget cars 
 
    Featuring a futuristic centre console with a wing-like motif
    for the control panel - not to mention some of the best soft-touch
    dash plastics in existence - it's hard to believe that Ford is
    making money from the vehicle 
    The sense of quality in the cabin is astonishing for a compact
    car and the overall design (particularly the futuristic instrument
    dial shrouds) is refreshingly original 
    Inspired by mobile phones, the interior is designed to appeal
    to generations X and Y but I reckon its got universal appeal 
    The dashpad is finished in contrasting colours to the rest of
    the interior plastics, adding to the cabin's high-end look and
    like the ultra-modern Mondeo the kinetic design permeates almost
    all design aspects 
    Everything from the instrument dials - even the needles - to
    the centre console and the door handles all look very modern
    and this bodes well for Ford's future product line-up 
 
    The LX model we tested also featured voice control - a feature
    that used to be sole preserve of luxury cars 
    You can activate the Blue Tooth phone functionality to dial up
    numbers or program radio stations without taking your eyes off
    the road 
 
    Steering wheel controls comprise cruise and stereo/menu inputs
    on the LX model and though there's a lot to take in at first
    - 10 buttons all up - the system works well once you've spent
    a few days toying with the system 
 
    Like all good compact cars there's a profusion of storage bins
    throughout the car to safely stow mobile phones, MP3 players,
    wallets, bags, food, drinks, maps - you name it 
    And there's also an external AUX jack to plug in audio devices
    and the range-topping Zetec models even come with iPod/USB connectivity 
    Detailed menu systems on the LX and Zetec models mean you can
    spend hours customising car options, which will appeal to gadget
    lovers 
    Meanwhile the small details like the door lock/unlock button
    on the centre console add to the car's user friendliness 
 
    Rear seat room isn't massive but rear leg room has improved over
    the previous model and boot space of 281 litres means you can
    get four people and all their beach gear in the car 
 
    The air-con is pretty good too, as we discovered on a sweltering
    42° day !! 
 
    The rear seats can also be folded down in the traditional 60:40
    split-fold formation to load bulkier items into the car 
    Opening the small rear hatch - even with hands full - is not
    difficult either 
 
    Ford's new WS Fiesta also sits quite low to the ground and I
    found that this aids ingress and egress - though older drivers
    may not share this opinion 
    Another benefit of this low ride height is that you feel closer
    to the road, giving you more of a 'connection' with the car 
    This closeness to the road is a real boon when you reach tight,
    twisting roads as the well-sorted chassis ensures the Fiesta
    is satisfying to drive 
    There's not too much body roll when you build up steam through
    corners and the progressive steering gives it a sporty persona,
    but this never overrides its overall smoothness 
    By and large, it's difficult to criticise the way the Fiesta
    behaves on the road 
 
    Even when the time comes to fill up the vehicle, the new capless
    fuel filler makes the whole rigmarole quick and efficient and
    hassle-free 
    Fuel efficiency is another strong suit of the Fiesta, with the
    manual model's 1.6-litre engine using 6.1 litres of fuel per
    100km on the combined city/highway cycle, which is relatively
    frugal for a car that weighs almost 1.1 tonne 
    We managed around 6.7L/100km over about 450 kilometres of mainly
    urban and some highway driving 
 
    In top gear (5th) while cruising at 100km/h the car engine spins
    @ 3000rpm and the motor is surprisingly responsive, able to accelerate
    for overtaking needs at this speed without any need for a down
    shift 
    It's a flexible, revvy little unit that churns out 88kW and 152
    Newton metres of torque and will happily putt along at 60km/h
    in 5th gear 
    The engine revs cleanly and puts its power to the ground effectively
    via the 5-speed manual and if you do find some nice winding roads
    that require haste, the Fiesta hits its stride at around 4000rpm
    and can hustle along pretty swiftly when kept above this mark 
 
    Our Fiesta LX test car featured the optional safety pack ($1,000)
    which adds thorax side airbags, a driver knee airbag and dynamic
    stability control (DSC) with traction control, the latter of
    which kicked in only a couple of times when we took off too quickly
    from standstill 
 
    The only real issue I found with the Fiesta was that there were
    some annoying creaks coming from the rear, but this is more likely
    due to media car abuse rather than anything to do with build
    quality 
 
    Though I'm not completely sold on the new design, everyone we
    showed the car to thought it was a real head turner and if nothing
    else it's an evocative, modern look, one that eschews the tall
    body design of some compact cars 
    The front end design features an ultra-slim grille underneath
    which sits a large air dam that adds a sporty edge 
    The headlights work well and are one of the first features that
    attracts the eye, and the rear is likewise fairly attractive
    with neatly integrated brake lights 
 
    Ford's Fiesta is low, sleek and well-proportioned and will no
    doubt set a new standard for what small car buyers will expect 
    Despite having a super sophisticated feel, impressive features
    and an ultra-modern cabin, compact cars rely most heavily on
    their looks to make sales and in this respect Ford appears to
    have nailed it 
 
    Overall - 4.5 from 5 
 
    One of the best compact cars we've ever driven, the Fiesta is
    sumptuous vehicular cuisine 
    It's very much a mini Mondeo, motivating ever-so-smoothly like
    its bigger sibling, yet quietly and with a level of sophistication
    that's left me dumb-founded 
 
    With ultra-modern designs inside and out, this is a tremendous
    effort from Ford - a very positive sign for the company's future 
 
    It's an urbane little vehicle with an expressive exterior and
    plenty of useful features that represent remarkable value for
    money when priced from under $16,000 
 
    The Fiesta has changed the playing field forever 
    It has a bevy of neat innovations and manages satisfy the driver
    like no other compact car on the market 
    Who knew compact cars could be this slick? 
    In a nutshell, this is the best compact car on the market 
 
    Engine - 1.6-litre I4 Petrol 
    The transversely mounted 1596cc 4-cylinder petrol engine has
    an inline layout with an all alloy construction 
    It has dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) that actuate 16-valves
    (4-valves per cylinder) that feature variable valve timing 
    The engine electronically injects fuel into the cylinders from
    a 43 litre fuel tank 
    It will run on standard grade (91 RON) or higher unleaded fuel 
    Fuel consumption - 6.1L/100km 
    CO2 Emissions - 143g/km 
    Max Power - 88kW @ 6000rpm 
    Max Torque - 152Nm @ 4050rpm 
    **************************************************************************
    1000km
    Road Test
    ... Ford Fiesta 
    1st January 2009 
    Test Vehicle = Ford Fiesta WS CL 5-speed manual 1.6-litre Inline
    4-cylinder petrol
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