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claimed 54mpg average fuel consumption figure. Instead, I got exactly 40mpg.
It’s hardly a shock, though, as few manufacturers live up to expectations when it comes to mpg figures. But 40mpg is not too bad to achieve. Its steering is lighter, economy is slightly improved as it’s a touch less heavy, at 1,144kg for the Zetec model, and the ride is better with slightly upgraded suspension and a wider track.
Looks-wise Ford haven’t changed the car much. It’s about three inches longer and an inch wider, its got sharper headlights, bigger and flatter rear lights, an upgraded interior and half an inch more rear leg room. The big- gest visual impact, though, comes when you open the doors to the second spec Zetec model and are faced with a massive gloss black nine-inch wide touchscreen for your radio and mobile phone. Don’t worry. you won’t fail to spot it.
Ford call it the “Sync 3” and it features AppLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Fiesta sales brochure does go on a bit about “the connected life” and invites buyers to “meet your phone’s new best friend”. Personally I’d prefer to get a life.
Busy
I’m not impressed by gadgets and also considered the new Fiesta’s avalanche of safety kit, either as standard, like its intrusive lane-keeping aid and alert, or options such as a pre-collison alert, to be entirely unnecessary if you’re actually watching where you’re going. The trouble is that about 70% of drivers are said to be so busy playing with their phone, or “new best friend”, these safety aids are probably essential and a really good idea. Especially if the idiot in the car coming towards me is on the wrong side of the road.