Ford Fiesta
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The Ford Fiesta has been a player in the small car market since the 1970s, and during the 90s was partially eclipsed by the Festiva and Ka. No longer. The latest incarnation of the Ford Fiesta, German engineered and built, has been brought thoroughly up to date for the 21st century.
The Ford Fiesta range starts with the LX three-door and five-door manual (and a four speed automatic version), through to the mid-range three-door Zetec and ending with the Ford Fiesta Ghia, which is a five-door hatchback. Differences between these variants of the Ford Fiesta do not end with the number of doors but spread to the technological features. Standard features on the basic manual three-door LX version of the Ford Fiesta include remote central locking, power windows at the front, power mirrors, a CD player and dual-stage front airbags. The automatic version of the Ford Fiesta LX also boasts ABS braking. The Zetec also comes with ABS as a standard feature, as does the air conditioning, front fog lights and steering column audio controls. Owners of the Ford Fiesta Ghia will also appreciate the six-stack CD player.
As can be expected with any small car, the engine in the Ford Fiesta is small, being a 1.6 litre 16-valve fuel injected four cylinder petrol engine, which can, however, deliver 74kW of power at 6000rpm and take you from 0-100 in 11.7 seconds (automatic version). The Ford Fiesta also has an electronic accelerator, helping it to achieve this. To drive, the car is very willing and is smooth and happy to be revved up to the redline. Economy-wise, the Ford Fiesta averages 6.4 litres per 100 km on the open road, and 9.6 litres per 100 km around town. The flying XR4 2.0 litre has a super quick 110 kW engine that allows the small Fiesta to kick up a storm via its slick shifting 5 -speed manual gearbox. Twisting roads are a pleasure to drive in the XR4. The chassis is superb, and the very engaging steering and taut handling makes for fast cornering. All Ford Fiestas have handling that is directional, and with a well-tuned suspension (MacPherson strut in the front; torsion beam axle at the rear) rough roads can be attacked easily with minimal road noise.
Inside, the Ford Fiesta can seat four average-sized people with ease, and the roof is high enough to be comfortable. Three child restraint anchors are provided behind the rear seats, and the boot space is average. Visibility in the Ford Fiesta is clear all around the car. If needed, the rear seats (60/40 split) fold down without needing to remove any of the three headrests. Leg room is acceptable for its class, and taller drivers will appreciate the height adjustable steering wheel.
ABS brakes are only available on automatic versions of the Ford Fiesta, and while front airbags are standard on all models, side and curtain airbags are available as options on the Ghia only.
The Ford Fiesta is a car that would make a great second car/shopping basket for families or else would make a good, nippy little runabout in town - a hairdresser's car, if that's what you want to call it. With the extra headroom the Ford Fiesta allows drivers and passengers to sit high without plastering the interior trim with hair gel, maybe that's an appropriate label.
Current model series include:
- Ford Fiesta LX 1.4
- Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.4
- Ford Fiesta LX Ghia 1.4
- Ford Fiesta XR4 2.0
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