Ford Fiesta

Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta is over thirty years old, and, like a bottle of good port, it has matured with age. Some say looks are not everything. Being of feminine mind I say looks are paramount.

Reliability has to be a close second and this new Fiesta, in its development was driven the equalivant of 87 times around the globe, pushed through extremes of real world weather from –40 degrees C to +80 degrees C and tested over and over again. As a result Ford now declare the Fiesta is a car you can rely on right down to the smallest ball bearing. That should appease the sceptics out there.

The line is, well being Ford, spoilt for choice springs to mind. Four trims are on offer, Style, Zetec, Zetec S and top of the range Titanium in either a three or five door bodystyle.

Then comes a plethora of engines depending on what trim is chosen ranging from the 1.25 litre revving up to the 1.6 with various PS’s petrol engines. The diesel range is slightly simpler with a 1.4 and 1.6 TDCi again with various PS’s. All engines come on a five speed manual gearbox with a four-speed automatic available except on the 1.25 petrol engine.

So thrown into confusion as to what to choose, my number one priority was it had to be in the Hot Magenta metallic paint that looks simply stunning and guaranteed to turn heads. Forgetting the credit crunch I went straight for the top of the range Titanium three door hoping to compensate somewhere along the line with the 1.6 TDCi 90 PS diesel engine. Costing £ 13,095 it is already competiveley priced.

Why did I find myself humming along to “You’re just too good to be true, can’t take my eyes off of your”? Pretty obvious really, this new Fiesta is drop dead gorgeous looking. Admittedly it is the colour, which is striking followed by the 16-inch 15-spoke alloy wheels and privacy glass.

Add on the colour coded bumper with two integrated fog lights in chrome bezel rings, beautiful sculptured halogen headlights again in chrome bezel, coloured coded door handles, colour coded electrically adjustable heated and folding door mirrors with integrated indicators plus two crease lines empathising the cars road presence and a remarkable sight befits the eyes.

The interior of the new Fiesta has to be funky personified. Sweeping out like swan’s wings is the multi media function including Bluetooth technology while running down towards the gear lever is the electronic automatic temperature control plus heating controls. Standard equipment comprises of electric windows, height adjustable drivers seat plus a rather complicated height adjustable steering wheel with remotes to audio CD radio, cruise control plus indicators and wipers. Lashings of chrome are spattered around the cabin such as on the door pull, steering wheel, around the air vents, instrument panel and the central console adding a stylish touch.

Despite the small dimensions there is loads of leg, head and elbowroom to accommodate all shapes and sizes in addition to copious amounts of storage space for all the families bits and pieces. Failing that the boot is quite large with 965 litres of space with the rear seats in place.

With the frosty mornings, you do not have to waste precious minutes waiting for the windscreen to de-ice thanks to Fords Quickclear heated windscreen that does the job in nano seconds and keeps it clear without having to resort to the air conditioning.

This new Fiesta has to be the hot hatch of the century The 1.6 litre TDCi diesel engine produces a fantastic delivery with acceleration normally associated with a larger engine. Top speed is 109 mph and 0-62mph taking just 11.9 seconds.

This engine is also exceptionally economical thus warrants paying the extra for top of the range trim. On a combined cycle this Fiesta achieves a whopping 67.2-mpg and further savings are to be had with CO2 emissions down at 110g/km.

The five-speed gearbox could at times, do with a sixth at higher speeds. Thanks to the electric power assisted steering the shopping bays despite this time of year posed no problems and tightens up beautifully on the open road.

The ride and handing is brilliant thanks to all the Ford technologies under the bonnet and gives a very reassuring feel especially when cornering. The suspension has been twigged with the front using a stabiliser bar. This new Fiesta is simply a joy to drive and a lot of fun chucked in.

Of course even human beings cannot defy the law of physics so if the new Fiesta fails to conform, standard across the whole range of new Fiesta’s are ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, auto hazard warning lights, driver and passenger airbags plus side airbags for the head thorax and driver’s knee. ESP and curtain airbag are optional extras.

The Fiesta also benefits from Fords Intelligent Protection system (IPS) that uses a range of sophisticated technologies keeping all occupants safe including a high strength steel safety cage. Securing the Fiesta is an alarm and remote central locking.

This new Fiesta has to be the best generation model Ford has ever produced. It simply gushes out style and quality, is extremely comfortable and produces an excellent drive with fun in the bargain. The Hot Magenta is the icing on the cake and well worth the £525 as an optional extra.

Jackie Violet - Female First