Ford Fiesta: Hatching This Summer
Motoring Channel Staff - 11/December/2008
|
Ford Fiesta
The interior of the Ford Fiesta looks
like something out of a luxury vehicle
This is the range-topping Ford Fiesta Zetec model
The entry-level Ford Fiesta CL is priced from $15,750
The mid-range LX model gets alloy wheels
The new Fiesta arrives in Australia in January 2009
|
Broadmeadows, Australia – Ford's new Fiesta compact car will go on sale in Australia from January 2009. Expected
to give current segment leaders such as the Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris a
fright, the new Fiesta will be priced from $15,750. Powered by an 88kW 4-cylinder engine displacing 1.6-litres, the new Fiesta uses 6.1L/100km and emits just 143 grams of carbon dioxide per km, making it a fairly green machine. Full pricing for the new Fiesta range is as follows:  Fiesta CL 3-door: $15,750 ($17,250 auto)
Fiesta CL 5-door: $16,490 ($17,990 auto)
Fiesta LX 5-door: $18,490 ($19,990 auto)
Fiesta Zetec 3-door: $20,250
Fiesta Zetec 5-door: $20,990 ($22,490 auto) While
the sportier 1.6-litre, 5-speed manual models will be on sale in
January, Ford says that the 1.4-litre 4-speed automatic versions will
take a little longer to get here, and will be on sale a month later in
February. The hot new Fiesta was one of the star attractions at
the 2008 Sydney Motor Show and in terms of style it is on equal footing
with the widely acclaimed Mazda2 design. The new models are more affordable
than the current Fiesta and adds a range of new features on top of the 'kinetic' design. Using
the Blue Oval's new design DNA that can be seen on vehicles like the Ford
Mondeo, the new look Fiesta will be powered by two engines, which are
as follows: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder: 71kW, 128Nm
Economy: 6.9L/100km (CO2: 164g/km) 1.6-litre 4-cylinder: 88kW, 152Nm
Economy: 6.1L/100km (CO2: 143g/km) All models come equipped with ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) as well as driver and passenger
airbags as standard, but one of the car's most obvious new features is its modern design. Ford describes it as a dramatic, eye-catching design, an extension of its acclaimed kinetic design language. According
to the Blue Oval brand, the Fiesta has clean, sharp angular lines
that instantly differentiate the new model from its competitors,
and a space-age interior introduces an easy-to-master suite of
operational controls. "The
new model shows an exciting interpretation of kinetic design, with an
energetic, sophisticated and distinctive exterior and a refreshingly
different interior design," said Ford Australia President and CEO Marin Burela. The
entry level price of $15,750 pairs the larger 1.6-litre engine, a
5-speed manual and a 3-door body style. All models come standard with
the 1.6-litre engine unless ordered with the 4-speed automatic (a
$1,500 premium), which come with the 1.4-litre engine that will available in February 2009. While
the entry-level CL model is available
with both 3- and 5-door body styles when it launches in Australia in
January 2009, the LX is 5-door only says Ford, and comes standard
with 15-inch alloy wheels. The range-topping Zetec model is
the 'looker' of the line-up and is offered in both 3- and 5-door body
styles and is the 'sporty' model, fitted with
larger 16-inch alloy wheels and boasting a body kit
with stylised front and rear bumpers and a rear spoiler. The 3-door
Zetec model also get sports rocker panel mouldings. Available on LX and Zetec model Fiestas are Bluetooth with Voice Control,
USB connectivity allowing MP3 player
integration on Zetec, but a 3.5mm audio jack and 'Easyfuel' capless
refuelling is standard on all Fiesta models. The
Zetec model gets front seat head and thorax side airbags, driver
knee airbag and dynamic stability control (DSC) with traction control
and emergency brake assist (EBA), and these safety features are
optional on CL and LX models for an extra $1,000. "The all-new Fiesta will be the hottest property in the light car segment," added Ford Australia's boss Marin Burela. Cruise control
is fitted as standard on LX and Zetec models, as are leather
trimmed steering wheels, and there will be a wide colour palette
comprising 11 colours. The new Ford Fiesta will arrive in Australia in January 2009, but no word yet on a sporty XR4 version. Related Links:
- Ford Ranger Max (2008)
- Ford Fiesta XR4 (Road Test)
- Ford Focus XR5 Turbo (Road Test)
- Ford Mustang (2010)
- Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo (Road Test)
- Ford Ka (2009)
- Ford Falcon 5-Star Safety Rating (2008)
- Ford Falcon G6 (Road Test)
- Ford Mondeo (Road Test)
- Ford Kuga Concept (2007)
- Ford Focus Diesel (Road Test)
|
