Entry-level Ambiente 1litre boosts Fiesta range
FORD has expanded its Fiesta hatch lineup with a new entry-level Ambiente version powered by the brand’s 1-litre Ecoboost motor paired with a five-speed manual gearbox.
The new derivative brings Ford’s South African Fiesta line up to 10 models including the top three-door ST, but this addition falls at the lower end of the price spectrum where it sneaks in just over the 200 grand mark. At R207 900, this three-cylinder turbo shares the title of most affordable Fiesta with an equally-specced but less powerful (71kW/128Nm) naturally-aspirated 1.4 Ambiente.
The inclusion of a manual transmission also shaves R11 000 off the price of the also equally-trimmed 1.0 Ambiente with a six-speed autobox, but as is the case with higher spec Trend and Titanium models, the manual gets a more powerful 92kW output than the auto’s 74. Both get the same torque figure of 170Nm. Ford claims an average petrol consumption of 4.3l per 100km, but this will likely be higher in real world conditions.
Ambiente trim means features like airconditioning, a voice activated Sync multimedia and connectivity system. Bluetooth and USB pairing, steering controls, electric front windows, two airbags and remote central locking come standard in the deal, but you’ll need to step up to more expensive Trend models to get more airbags, stability control and trip computers; and more expensive yet Titaniums to get cruise control, climate control and bigger 16” alloys among other things.
All Fiestas come with fouryear/120 000km warranties and four-year/60 000km service plans. Service intervals are 20 000km on 1.0 Ecoboost models.
Fiesta prices:
1.4 Ambiente 5-speed Manual – R207 900 1.0 EcoBoost Ambiente 5-speed Manual – R207 900 1.0 EcoBoost Ambiente 6-speed PowerShift – R218 900 1.6 TDCi Ambiente 5-speed Manual – R229 900 1.0 EcoBoost Trend 5-speed Manual – R219 900 1.0 EcoBoost Trend 6-speed PowerShift – R230 900 1.6 TDCi Trend 5-speed Manual – R236 900 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium 5-speed Manual – R242 900 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium 6-speed PowerShift – R252 900 1.6 EcoBoost ST 6-speed Manual (3-door) – R296 900