£9k Ka+ leads Ford’s small car rethink CONFIRMED Fiesta’s moving up

Ford Ka+ Revolutionary ‘baby Fiesta’ brings big car technology for city car money

FORD has confirmed its next-generation Fiesta will move upmarket to make room for the valueorientated Ka+ in the line-up. As outlined by Auto Express in February (Issue 1,414), the Mk8 Fiesta is set to grow slightly, although it will remain on Ford’s existing small car platform.

The most basic Studio and Style trims will be dropped, lifting the starting price of Britain’s best-selling car to around £13,000. Ford of Europe’s vice-president of marketing, Roeland de Waard, told Auto Express: “We can now take the Fiesta to places it’s never been before.

“We can take the new generation of the Fiesta family upmarket, so it means more things to more people.” The next Fiesta is expected to make its debut in the first half of 2017.

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ALONG with the Ka+, Ford has also launched a new St-line trim for its Fiesta and Focus models. The sporty family cars get retuned suspension, bespoke interior trim, fresh alloy wheels and a bodykit – but use conventional engines like the 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol and 1.5 TDCI diesels.

The cars are designed to echo the full-fat ST models, while offering better economy, an easier everyday driving experience and reduced running costs. The exterior styling tweaks include a rear diffuser and lip spoiler, dark surrounds for the front foglights and a honeycomb design for the grille.

Ford expects up to 10 per cent of Fiesta buyers to pick an St-line – and is already lining up additional models, believed to include the Kuga and S-MAX. One sourcee has also confirmed to Auto Express that the Ecosportort baby SUV is likely to get the St-line treatment, pairedaired with Ford’s 138bhp 1.0-litre Ecoboostoboost petrol engine.e.