A sneak peak at the next Fiesta
FORD’S designers hardly had the wildest of parties while designing the new-generation Fiesta that you see here, but it does appear to be an allnew vehicle.
While the front and side are an evolution of the current Fiesta’s design language, the most radical departure is at the back end, where the tail lights are now horizontal and no longer mounted on the C-pillars – even so, it’s a rather conservative design by Fiesta standards.
Ford unveiled its new hatch in four distinct flavours, including a Cross Polo-rivalling crossover variant called the Active, featuring a slightly raised ride height, black wheel-arch mouldings and other SUV-mimicking design features.
As for the conventional hatchbacks, the Titanium is focused on style, the Vignale is all about upscale elegance and the ST-Line is the cap-backward sporty version, although you shouldn’t confuse it with the ST performance hatch that will no doubt be released at a later date.
The cabin gets some modernisation with classier materials and an 8-inch high-definition touchscreen that appears to float above the air vents. Ford’s latest Sync3 infotainment system will be offered, and customers can also opt for a snazzy B&O Play sound system.
In fact Ford says its new Fiesta will offer far more personalisation options than ever before, but did not go into detail about any other features that will be available.
Other available gadgets include Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Active Park Assist with Perpendicular Parking, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High Beam, Cross Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning.
Ford has only announced two of the engines going into the new Fiesta, these being a 103kW version of the 1-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost turbopetrol and an 88kW 1.5 TDCi turbodiesel. Ford says the enhanced 1.0T engine will be the first three-cylinder in the world to feature fuel-saving cylinder deactivation technology, which can allegedly disengage or re-engage one of the cylinders in just 14 milliseconds.
So when’s it coming? According to Ford South Africa it’s only likely to be in 2018.