Road Test Ford Fiesta 1.4LX: Ford's Fiesta, one of the best-known small cars, has been with us for over a quarter of a century - in that time it's had some major changes. But, saysAndrew Hamilton, the new Fiesta still has the top priority of its funlovingancestor: the creation of space for its passengers
The name, suggesting Spanish fun, has been around for ages as the badge of one of Ford's best-known small cars. The Fiesta has actually been with us for over a quarter of a century. We remember well the launch of the original back in 1976. Ford, it was suggested, was a bit late with its new supermini, especially since Renault and Fiat had their 5 and 127 models out six years earlier.
But Ford made up for lost time. The Fiesta has notched up over 10 million sales and 140,000 have done service on Irish roads. It has come with the familiar supermini formula, transverse engine and front-wheel-drive. It was a formula that was all about the creation of space and today, that's still a priority in the latest model range now on sale here.
So determined was Ford to endow it with class-leading space that this priority still influences most of the car's design. There was good reason too. Rear space was restricted particularly viewed against the competition, more modern superminis such as the Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo and Skoda Fabia.
It could be a bit of a squeeze but the new Fiesta was designed from the outset to have enough room for five adults and their luggage. In the rear, knee-room has been increased by 60 mm while headroom is claimed to be the same as in the back of a Galaxy MPV.
Ford also realised the rear doors needed to be big enough to load not only adults but items such as child seats and luggage with the bench folded. The result is squarer rear openings that negate the need to stoop when getting in. With an extra 41 mm in the wheelbase, the cabin offers far more room in every direction than before. The driver and front seat passenger sit 45 mm higher for improved visibility.
We have been testing the Fiesta in its 1.4 litre LX form. The Duratec 1,388 cc engine produces 80 bhp at 5,700 rpm and there's a claimed top speed of 103 mph with a 0 to 60 mph time of 13.5 seconds. We expected livelier performance, even accepting that the sort of people buying this model wouldn't be a rubber-burning, tyre-squealing set. Downshifting was very much necessary to maintain reasonably vigorous progress. That said, the nature and character of the performance is close to faultless. The engine revs smoothly, quietly and keenly and the gearchange, clutch and accelerator actions are harmonious. The scenery may not rush by in a blur but we still enjoyed the driving.
That's largely because all major controls have an edge of refinement. The new Fiesta has a classy maturity that also shows up in its ride comfort and it has become a much more convincing long-distance car. Suspension is quieter, steering has a nice weighted feel and body control over rough roads is in a different league from that of the old car.
In style and appearance, the Fiesta is very much like a somewhat shrunken Focus. Ford, admitting the similarity, says the crafting has more to do with introducing a refined, bigger car profile. Comparisons between the two siblings are probably not fair, but we still think the Focus is a more engaging all-rounder.
By its nature, the Fiesta should be economical. We didn't do especially well with just over 32 mpg overall. There was a fair amount of town driving and we were also fond of gearchanging in our quest for more stimulating performance. The tank has useful capacity of 62 litres. The official consumption figures are 32.1mpg in the urban, 60.1 extra urban and 45.6 in combined modes.
The 1.4LX has an Irish ex-works retail price of €15,395. New Fiesta prices actually start at €14,395 ex-works: that buys the 1.3 litre model powered by a heavily revised version of the ancient 8v unit that went into the outgoing Fiesta and Ka. It has been reworked for better low-down torque but with a 16 second 0 to 60 mph time and a 99 mph top speed, there's the impression of lethargy.
Much more impressive has to be the 1.4 litre TDCi or common-rail diesel engine that powers two models in the line-up. Sadly, the supermini sector isn't fertile territory for diesel sales, largely because of the extra price in a price sensitive market. There again, Fiesta customers aren't really long distance motorists, where the cost benefit of having a diesel really accrues.
OUR 1.4LX car had a specification that included a stereo radio and CD unit, remote central locking, electric front windows and heated electric door mirrors. For real opulence, it's necessary to go to the Ghia package: that brings air conditioning, rear head restraints, a leather-covered gear knob and a smart metallic front grille surround.
Our biggest impression of the new Fiesta is just how impressively roomy it is. Six-footers in the rear can now travel in comfort. The boot has grown to 284 litres, making it at least competitive with the likes of the Fabia. The cabin exudes quality: we kept thinking of solid German engineering.
After 10 million Fiestas, there's now a more roomy, spacious, mature and grown-up model range. It has to mean that Fiesta will be around in the vocabulary of Ford - and indeed the motor industry - for a long time to come.