LITTLE BIG DEAL

Ford’s seventh-generation Fiesta adds some big-car polish to an already accomplished package

Engine bay array

The Fiesta’s powertrain range comprises three- and four-cylinder powerplants. All of them get stop/start and an eco button on examples with a manual transmission that adjusts the engine and throttle settings. There are three versions of the 1,0-litre Ecoboost three-cylinder turbopetrol with 74 kw, 92 kw and 103 kw on tap. Certain markets also get a 1,1-litre three-cylinder unit in 52 kw and 63 kw states of tune. A 1,5-litre turbodiesel in 63 kw or 88 kw guises rounds out the range.

Even more agile

The Fiesta has been something of a perennial entertainer in its class, and the new car looks to build upon that hard-earned reputation. New materials and construction methods see the existing chassis’ torsional rigidity improved by 15%, while cornering grip improves 10% thanks to electronic torque-vectoring control that brakes the inside wheel when cornering.

Smoother outside…

The new car’s shape is clearly an evolution of the current model’s, but some of the sharper edges have been smoothed off. In keeping with the more flowing motif, the Fiesta now features parking sensors flush with the body panels, windscreen washer nozzles hidden beneath the upper bonnet lip and a distinct lack of visible screws in the taillamps or rear-end.

Measuring 4 040 mm long, 1 734 mm wide and featuring a 2 493 m wheelbase, the new car is marginally larger than its forebear in every dimension.

…Slicker inside

The previous car’s cabin received some criticism for the quality of its materials and old-fashioned infotainment system. The new model ushers in more substantial and upmarket-feeling cabin trim, with a floating high-definition touchscreen and the brand’s Sync 3 infotainment system. The new Fiesta will also be the first Ford to feature a Bang & Olufsen audio system.

Big-car safety

There’s a range of driver-assistance features, including an updated pedestriandetection system and an active parking system that can deliver “brake interventions” to prevent low-speed collisions. These are supported by two cameras, three radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors that are capable of monitoring up to 130 metres ahead.