The rest of Ford’s updated Fiesta lineup is also set for an Australian launch in September – highlighted by the arrival of two new petrol powerplants – the new 1.5-litre, four-cylinder Duratec and Ford’s incredible three-cylinder, 1.0-litre EcoBoost (the latter arriving a tad later in December).
Optimum fuel consumption is mandatory in compacts cars and, as we know, Ford’s incredible three-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost petol engine was a game-changer. With 92kW of power at 6000rpm and peak torque of 170Nm from 1400rpm, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost is much more powerful than the similar three-cylinder employed by Volkswagen’s Up, but matches fuel economy at 4.9l/100kms (five-speed manual) or 5.3l/100kms (six-speed dual-clutch automatic – the Volkswagen doesn’t offer the Up with an automatic transmission).
However, the new 1.5-litre Duratec is a similarly commendable engine, a new global powerplant for Ford which debuts twin independent variable camshaft technology (Ti-VCT in ‘Ford Speak’). Maximum power is 82kW at 6300rpm, peak torque of 140Nm is delivered at 4400rpm and fuel economy is listed at 5.8l/100kms (five-speed manual and six-speed dual-clutch automatic).
Styling changes for the updated Ford Fiesta include a new front grille (the trapezoidal design which is now Ford’s global styling point), new laser-cut headlights, a ‘power dome’ bonnet and modernized Ford ‘blue oval’ badge. The rear sees new-design tail-lights and spoiler.
There’s also a new paint colour – ‘Celestial Blue’.
Inside are new fabrics, a new design dashboard and new design steering wheel. The upper section of instrument panel gains a high-gloss finish, there’s some satin-chrome detail and Ford’s signature ‘ice Blue’ illumination. Door handles and window openers are new and relocated to improve ergonomics.
And on the infotainment technology front, the updated Fiesta scores Ford’s SYNC system.
