Ford details European-spec Fiesta
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 5th Dec 2016
The European Fiesta will have five initial variants and three different powertrain options, including a pair of 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engines.
The diesel variant is unlikely to be included when the update comes to Australia, given the low take-up of the diesel Focus variant that was dropped from the line-up when the range was updated in September last year.
Other engine choices include the 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost unit available in the current range, now with cylinder deactivation technology, and a 1.1-litre atmo engine powering the entry-level variants.
The current engine powering the cheapest Aussie Fiestas is a 1.5-litre petrol engine developing 82kW/140Nm, and replacing it with the Euro version would mean a drop in power to either 51 or 63kW.
All engines will be offered with idle-stop technology and are Euro 6 compliant.
The European range also includes a number of variants that haven’t been seen before in Australia, including the more luxurious Vignale, sporty ST-Line and the crossover, dubbed the Active, a style which Ford says will be rolled out over other model lines in years to come.
The Active gains a raised ride height, roof bars, additional cladding and a hexagonal grille, while the ST-Line gets a Ford Performance bodykit like the ST, without the full-blooded turbocharged 1.6-litre performance of its big brother.
The Vignale gets its own grille pattern and surround, 18-inch wheels, foglight surrounds, side spear and rear diffuser and leather interior.
Ford’s latest-generation Sync3 infotainment system will be offered in the new Fiesta via an 8.0-inch tocuhscreen, as will a 10-speaker, 675 watt B&O Play audio system that includes a boot-mounted subwoofer and specifically-placed speakers.
Ford claims that cabin noise has been reduced to class-leading levels, and rear seat passengers are afforded 16mm more legroom compared to the current model.
Ford anticipates that the new Fiesta will achieve a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, and body strength in key areas is bolstered by 36 per cent more boron steel, including in the B-pillar area.
Safety and driver assistance tech includes active park assist, adaptive cruise control, auto high beam, blind spot warning, cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, hill launch assist, lane keeping alert, pre-collision assist and traffic sign recognition.
In Europe it will be sold in 12 different colours, including four new hues – Blue Wave, Chrome Copper, Milano Grigio and Ruby Red.
Ford Australia has so far given little away as to when the new Fiesta will be released in Australia, or which variants will be making it Down Under.
The current range consists of Ambiente, Trend, Sport and ST, with Trend being the only variant that has been detailed in Europe.
More information on the Australian future of Fiesta will be revealed closer to its release date.
