Sydney show: It's Fiesta time for Ford

FORD revealed its redesigned Fiesta light car for the first time in Australia today at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, fresh from its launch in Europe.

Despite the fact it will not go on sale here until early 2009, the Blue Oval also chose to reveal full local specifications and pricing, including a $240-lower starting price of $15,750 for the entry-level CL three-door 1.6-litre manual.

Unveiled in three- and five-door Zetec and five-door LX guises - which appeared alongside Sydney show debutantes in the blue brand’s new FG Falcon, facelifted ZD Escape and next year’s “FG01” V8 Supercar race car - the 2009 Fiesta range will also comprise LX (priced from $18,490) and Zetec (from $20,250) model grades.

The 88kW/152Nm 1.6 with a five-speed manual transmission will be standard across the Fiesta range (and returns 6.1L/100km fuel consumption and 143g/km of CO2 emissions), while a four-speed auto mated to a 71kW/128Nm 1.4-litre engine will be available with all versions except the three-door Zetec. The 1.4 autos, which are also E10-compatible, return 6.9L/100km and 164g/km.

While the CL 1.6 three-door manual opens the Fiesta’s account at $15,750, the 1.4 auto will cost $17,250, the five-door 1.6 manual will cost $16,490 and the five-door 1.4 auto will be priced at $17,990.

The five-door-only LX will be offered in 1.6 manual ($18,490) and 1.4 auto ($19,990) guises, while the Zetec will hit showrooms in three-door 1.6 manual ($20,250), five-door 1.6 manual ($20,990) and five-door 1.4 auto ($22,490) forms.

Prestige paint will be a $320 option for all Fiestas, while an optional ($1000) safety pack for CL and LX versions will include head/thorax side airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, DSC stability/traction control and emergency brake assist.

While the top-spec Zetec will come standard with those safety devices, along with 16-inch alloys and a sports bodykit, the most basic (CL) specification grade comprises ABS with EBD, twin front airbags, 15-inch wheels, a 3.5mm audio jack and a capless refuelling system.

The five-door LX will add 15-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and the option of Bluetooth with voice activation and USB connectivity. The new Fiesta will be available in 11 exterior paint colours.

“The all-new Fiesta will be the hottest property in the light car segment,” said new Ford Australia president Marin Burela. “(It) reinforces Ford's driving quality leadership credentials by targeting best-in-class dynamics, precision and ride quality.” Also debuting in Sydney today was the Territory SR2 limited edition, which is claimed to feature more than $5500 of extra equipment over the entry-level Territory TX on which it is based.

Additional features include sports leather trim, cruise control, an Alpine rear DVD system, 17-inch sports alloy wheels and body-coloured bumpers.

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