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21/03/2011, 17:06
Car Review By MURRAY HUBBARD
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Your ordinary garden-variety Ford Fiesta has been overshadowed - or as a model perhaps highlighted - by the clever Ford Fiesta Econetic TV commercials. Either way people now know about Fiesta which is a big step forward for Ford which for decades was a one-trick pony with Falcon, everything else aside from Territory SUV making up the numbers.
Fiesta has been one of Ford’s hidden gems ... much like Mondeo. It goes to show just how ingrained the rear-wheel drive Falcon is in the psyche of Falcon buyers. Ford Focus and Mondeo sales are steadily climbing: they need to do with Falcon sales ordinary to say the least. Buyers are at last realising there is a lot more to owning a Ford than Falcon, despite it being an excellent vehicle in a market segment in decline.
Last week we tested the new Fiesta sedan powered by the 88 kW 1.6 litre petrol engine hooked up to a five speed manual shifter. We liked the combination. In our follow-up review car we swapped into a Fiesta hatch with a similar engine, but this time driving the wheels through Ford’s new dual-clutch six speed auto transmission. Since Ford introduced the new Fiesta early in 2010 sales have sky-rocketed. In fact Fiesta is now pushing Falcon in the sales race with Falcon leading the race by a tad more than 400 units so far this year.
BODY STYLE
When Ford gave the Fiesta a facelift late last year the external appearance of the European-designed vehicle barely changed. The freshen-up included new bumpers and wheel designs for the entry-level CL and LX. Our Fiesta CL came with steel wheels and full size covers. Fiesta hatch styling is cutting edge and a contemporary shape that will take some time to date. In particular we like the sweeping roof-line treatment that gives the car a real sense of purpose while the sharp front end is easy on the eye.
POWERTRAIN
The 1.6 litre engine’s stats are 88 kW of power and 151 Nm of torque at 4300 rpm. We were really impressed by this engine when linked to the five speed auto in the sedan. Ford’s alternative to the manual is the new six speed dual-clutch auto which Ford claims will give a 12 per cent improved economy compared to the former 4-speed auto. Ford’s official consumption is 6.1 litres/100 km.
SAFETY
In the light car segment there are generally two types of cars. Those priced to a budget and those that cost a bit more which you can usually feel from behind the wheel and offer more goodies and features. The Fiesta fits into the latter category. With CL being the entry-level Fiesta it has driver and passenger front airbags standard. There’s also a safety package that includes side curtain and thorax airbags and driver's knee airbag. The all-important Dynamic Stability Control is standard along traction control and brake assist. ABS standard as well as Electronic Brakeforce Distribution.
INTERIOR DESIGN/FUNCTIONALITY
Fiesta’s interior has a wow factor about it within the light car segment. The cornerstone of this is the ultra-modern, but not over-the-top centre console which is a hit with young owners.
It includes the climate and audio controls and is eye-catching and we’re glad Ford kept this feature. All Fiesta models now have voice control with a single CD, six-speaker system and MP3 and Bluetooth integration. The front seats are comfortable and the ergonomics good. The rear pew suffers a bit with the top/rear of the front seats getting into the personal space of the back seat passengers. Rear leg room is okay and headroom is a little tight because of the dropping roof line. Three adults would be too squashy for us, but it is fine for two adults and a child. The rear seat is 60/40 split fold which increases the luggage capacity from a tight 280 litres into something more usable for long loads or trips away with two passengers.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
There’s barely any difference in the handling and feel between the hatch and the sedan. Both point beautifully into corners and have exemplary road manners which are as good as they get in the light car segment. We can see why Ford replaced the old four speed auto with a six speed, but the dual clutch system comes at a price, not just the $2000 extra over the cost of the five speed manual shifter. If a car with a dual clutch gearbox is being driven flat out all the time, the transmission is simply great. However, unless you always drive on a racetrack that’s not possible, so the inherent problems we have written about before with dual clutch transmissions are also true for the Ford Fiesta. These are notably that in stop-start traffic they are simply not at home and can be quite jerky. We also found at times the six speed in the Fiesta tended to ‘hunt’ between fifth and six gear on slight hills. If we were buying a Fiesta - and we believe it is about the pick of the bunch in this category - we’d personally go for the five speed manual. Its smoother and the ratios are really well matched to the engine.
MODEL RANGE AND PRICING
CL petrol hatch $16,990
CL petrol hatch (a) $18,990
LX petrol hatch $18,990
LX petrol hatch (a) $20,990
Zetec petrol hatch $20,990
Zetec petrol hatch (a) $22,990
LX diesel hatch $21,490
Zetec diesel hatch $23,490
CL petrol sedan (a) $18,990
LX petrol sedan $18,990
LX petrol sedan (a) $20,990
LX diesel sedan $21,490
Econetic diesel hatch $24,990
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard
Air Conditioning: Standard
Automatic Transmission: Optional
CD Player: Standard
Central Locking: Standard
Cruise Control: Standard
Dual Front Airbags: Standard
Front Side Airbags: Optional
Stability Control: Standard
Traction Control: Standard
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1596 cc
Configuration: In line
Head Design: 16 valve DOHC
Compression Ratio: 11:1
Bore/Stroke: 78.0 mm x 81.4 mm
Maximum Power: 66 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 151 Nm @ 4300 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Five Speed
Automatic Transmission: Six speed dual clutch
Final Drive Ratio: 3.05
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 3950 mm
Wheelbase: 2489 mm
Width: 1722 mm
Height: 1471 mm
Turning Circle: 10.2 metres
Kerb Mass: 1088 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 43 litres
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: MacPherson struts
Rear Suspension: Twist beam and coils
Front Brakes: Ventilated discs
Rear Brakes: Drum
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: N/A seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: 95RON Petrol
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 6.1 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 7.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 6.5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
3 years/ 100,000 km |
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