First look: Ford flouts new Fiesta

FORD of Europe has come clean on the next-generation Fiesta that makes its world public premiere at the Geneva motor show in two weeks, before it goes on sale here in about 12 months.

Remaining true to the Verve concept that heralded both its exterior and interior design, the redesigned three-door will continue to use the Fiesta name globally, quashing reports that suggested Ford's light-car entrant would carry different names in different markets.

Biggest news, however, is that the new European-designed and built Ford micro, which will again do showroom battle with Holden's Korean-built Barina, is claimed to be both lighter and stronger than the current Fiesta thanks to the extensive use of ultra-high-strength steels.

Ford says the new model brings a host of big-car features to Fiesta for the first time, including a driver's knee airbag and an integrated "HMI" centre stack inspired by mobile phones, housed in the latest iteration of the Blue Oval's "Kinetic" design language.

Designed and developed in Europe for sale in Europe, Asia, South Africa, Australia and the Americas between 2008 and 2010, the new Fiesta is the first major product of Ford’s new global product development process.

It is the latest incarnation of a model series that has attracted more than 12 million customers since 1976.

“This new car embodies the very essence of Fiesta – fun, vitality and emotion,” said the president and CEO of Ford of Europe, John Fleming. “We know there isn’t a better name for the new model, and we have over 30 years of investment in the Fiesta brand to consider.

“We’re confident that the combination of dynamic new ‘kinetic design’ exterior, great interior design and craftsmanship, and a host of new technologies and features will provide compelling reasons for a new generation of customers around the world to take a fresh look at the Ford Fiesta,” said Mr Fleming.

Unlike four-door sedan versions of the new Fiesta destined for Asian and US markets, European production of the Fiesta hatch commences this year at Cologne in Germany. European production will later be ramped-up with additional capacity to come from Ford's Valencia plant in Spain in 2009.

The new Fiesta retains its predecessor's MacPherson strut front and twist-beam rear suspension and therefore rides on the same footprint as before, but adopts Electric Power Assisted Steering (E-PAS) for the first time - a move that's claimed to contribute to a lower overall kerb weight.

Five engines will be available in Europe, including a more powerful, 86kW version of the Duratec 1.6-litre ti-VCT petrol four and a 50kW Duratorq TDCi diesel that produces less than 100g/km of CO2 emissions. A 1.4 diesel and 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol fours will also be on offer, also mated to five-speed manual or four-speed auto transmissions.

New Fiesta technology includes keyless starting via the ‘Ford Power’ push-button, Ford Easyfuel capless refuelling, USB connectivity and ambient interior lighting.

Read more:

Ford Thais up Fiesta

First look: Ford previews next Fiesta with Verve