August 11, 2008. Copyright 2008, Graphic News. All rights reserved

FordÕs greener, leaner, little Fiesta has timing on its side
By Neil Winton

LONDON, August 11, Graphic News:  FordÕs timing is impeccable. Just when car buyers are crying out for leaner, more fuel efficient, smaller cars, Ford of Europe put its new little Fiesta up for sale.

The most impressive and timely version of the new Fiesta, which goes on sale across Europe in October, is the ultra-green ECOnetic, which has a 1.6 litre, 89bhp TDCI high-technology diesel engine returning an average 76.3 miles per gallon (3.7 litres per 100 kilometres). The ECOnetic also has improved aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tyres and enhanced lubrication, helping to wring the longest possible distance out of the fuel tank.

However, the new Fiesta is not only important to Ford in Europe. It must lead a revolution in car buying habits in the U.S. too. Its parent company in America is in grave financial condition -- Ford Motor Company lost $8.7 billion (5.6 billion euros) in the second quarter of 2008 -- mainly because Americans, irked by higher fuel prices, were turning their backs on their traditional gas guzzling SUVs and pickup trucks and turning to smaller cars, an area in which Ford is weak in North America.

So Ford is calling the Fiesta a World Car and will build it in low-cost Mexico and export it to the U.S. in 2010. Similar versions will go on sale in South America, South Africa, Australia and China too. Ford Europe is also expected to provide a new Ford Focus design for the U.S. market in 2011, the new C-Max people mover in 2011, and perhaps even the tiny Ford Ka. None of these cars will be exported from Europe, because the weakness of the dollar against the euro makes them much too expensive for U.S. buyers.

In Europe, the Fiesta, which will be built in Cologne, Germany and Valencia, Spain, will have various diesel and petrol engines from 1.2 litres to 1.6 litres. The cheapest, 1.2 litre versionÕs price will start at 11,250 euros (£8,844) after taxes, in Germany. You can choose to have three or five doors. Electric power-assisted steering is standard.

The new Fiesta, which replaces the previous, seven-year old model, is about the same size but has shed much weight and the 1.2 litre 3-door version weighs in at only 966kg (2,129-lbs). Most of the engineering and design was done by Mazda of Japan, which is controlled by Ford. MazdaÕs version -- the Mazda2 -- has been on sale for about a year, competing against cars like the Peugeot 207, Renault Clio, Opel-Vauxhall Corsa, Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz.

Beauty is said to be in the eye of the beholder, but the Fiesta is exceptionally pretty and retains many of the design cues shown in the Verve concept car shown at the Frankfurt Car Show in 2007.

The Ford PR machine is getting excited about the little car, saying: ÒThe new Fiesta is a landmark moment for Ford. It is our most significant global vehicle product since the Model T and heralds the future for Ford product developmentÓ.

Much responsibility rests on the new little Fiesta. You can safely say that if it bombs, so will the Ford Motor Company.
/ENDS




Ford Fiesta 1.2

Engine Ð 1.2 litre 4-cylinder
Power Ð 59bhp
Torque Ð 109 Nm @3,600
Drive Ð front wheels
Gearbox Ð 5-speed manual
Acceleration Ð 0-62mph-100km/h 16.9 seconds
Top speed Ð 94mph-152km/h
Fuel consumption Ð 52.3mpg-5.4-l/kms
CO2 Ð 128g/km
Weight Ð 966kg
Length Ð 3,950mm
Width Ð 1,722mm
Height Ð 1,481mm
Wheel-base Ð 2,489mm
Boot capacity - 281 litres