First drive: Ford Fiesta

Search: Ford Fiesta

The Fiesta is a key model for Ford. No less than 12 million have been sold since the first-generation car was launched in 1977. It's still a popular choice too, with 200,000 cars alone finding homes this year. But, can its sharply kinetic-styled replacement build on the old models' strengths and build on them? We headed to Italy to find out...

Verve to Fiesta
The last Fiesta was a good car, but its staid design let it down against younger, more modern opposition. That's something you couldn't say about its replacement! Based on the Verve concept car first shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year, Martin Smtih, Executive Director of Design claims that the new Fiesta is the most expressive interpretation of Kinetic design. The production car remains remarkably faithful to the concept, the only differences being the slightly raised roof height and a revised bumper bar at the front.

Exterior design highlights
Highlights of the new Fiesta's exterior, from the front, include the swept-back headlight units, the trapezoidal lower grilles with bumper bar and a clamshell bonnet. At the sides there are no rubbing strips, bold wheel lips, a raised beltline and strong undercut added, all of which give a clean, distinctive look. The changes from the back are the hi-level rear light clusters and integrated rear spoiler. Range-topping Zetec-S models are even more distinctive, with a larger, more agressive rear spoiler and rear diffuser. So do the three- and five-door hatchback designs work? Yes, its an instantly attractive car with real showroom appeal with its winning good looks, Ford may have another winner on its hands.

What's under the bonnet
As you'd expect from a Ford, there's an extensive range of engine choice; petrol engines include the familiar 1.25 and 1.4 or a brand new 1.6 Ti-VCT with 120bhp (Ti-VCT standing for twin independent camshaft timing). Diesel fans are equally well catered for with 1.4 - and 1.6 TDCi diesels including a 98g/km Econetic version which will be tax exempt in the UK.