Ford Fiesta - Preview

The Ford Fiesta has come of age. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the much improved seventh generation version.

Ten Second Review

Ford's Fiesta has always been affordable and great to drive. But state of the art? It's that too in this all-new seventh generation form. Beneath the smarter styling lies some clever user-friendly technology - and cabin quality that'll make down-sizing into one of these less of a chore. This is how you right a best seller.

Background

This Fiesta may still be a small car but these days, it thinks big in almost every way, starting with styling designed to make more of a statement in the supermini segment. Under the bonnet lies an impressively clean and frugal range of petrol and diesel units. Plus there's a more up-market cabin, safety technology that can automatically brake the car for you even at night and a pokier diesel engine option.

Ford has also broadened the appeal of the range with an 'Active' Crossover bodystyle, plus variants more specifically aimed at customers wanting luxury and sportiness. And as well as all that, the brand reckon that it'll be even more fun to drive than its predecessor. This is, in short, on paper at least, a thoroughly well thought out piece of supermini design. But will it be enough to keep Ford at the top of the sales charts? Let's find out.

Driving Experience

Variations on the Fiesta theme may come and go but before driving any version of Ford's definitive supermini, there's one thing you almost always know for certain: that it'll be a great steer. We haven't driven this seventh generation model yet, but we're looking forward to doing so based on what Ford is telling us. This new generation model is 15% stiffer and both front and rear track measurements are wider. The engineers tell us that the chassis now offers 10% more cornering grip, supported by Electronic Torque Vectoring Control, which enhances the driving experience by applying a small amount of braking to inside wheels to assist traction and stability when cornering. Braking distances at 62mph are reduced by more than 8%. There are freshly developed five and six-speed manual gearboxes. And rear disc brakes feature on models with engines developing more than 100PS.

Design and Build

If you go by the maxim that if something looks right, it is right, then you'll probably like the look of this seventh generation Fiesta. As before, it's offered in both three and five-door bodystyles and both are tidy pieces of styling with evolutionary styling and a bolder, wider front grille. The side profile is more settled and less wedge-shaped, combining with 71mm of additional body length and 12mm of additional width to give what Ford hopes is a longer and more premium appearance.

Inside, it's completely different from what went before. Gone is the previous button-heavy fascia with its cheap plastics. In fact, the number of buttons on the centre console has been reduced by almost half, with many connectivity and entertainment controls relocated to a freshly developed 'SYNC3' 8-inch touchscreen.

Market and Model

Expect Mk7 model Fiesta pricing t start at around £15,000 for entry-level 'Zetec' models. That's a higher starting point than before because Ford will no longer be offering entry-level trim in this car, the idea being to free up space in the market for the five-door KA+ model that slots in below this one.

This time round, Ford is offering Fiesta customers much more choice. There's three and five-door bodystyles as before and in 2018, we'll see a sporty ST version. Mainstream models will be sold in 'Zetec', Syle' and 'Titanium' trim levels. But the options now go much further than that. There are specific sub-model lines: a Fiesta 'Active' variant with SUV styling cues that targets the growing Crossover market; a Fiesta 'ST-Line' derivative which aims at those wanting a sportier look; and a Fiesta 'Vignale' aimed at customers prioritising ultimate supermini luxury.

Cost of Ownership

The Ford Fiesta has garnered a reputation for being one of the cheapest superminis to run and this continues. In fact what's remarkable about this improved range is how so many models go below 100g/km. It's now the exception where you find a variant in this line-up that puts out more than the ton.

Take the new 120PS 1.5-litre TDCi engine which returns a CO2 emissions figure of 89g/km - or 82g/km in 95PS form. That's down to optimised combustion chamber design, turbocharging - including variable geometry technology for the 120PS version - and sophisticated fuel injection that also enhances refinement. Smart Regenerative Charging enhances fuel efficiency by selectively engaging the alternator and charging the battery when the vehicle is coasting and braking.

Ford's 1.1-litre petrol engine shares a three-cylinder architecture with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost unit, replacing the outgoing naturally aspirated 1.25-litre petrol engine and delivering more power and anticipated reduced CO2emissions from 101g/km. Fuel efficiency is further enhanced with AutoStartStop technology offered for all engines, and a clever Active Grille Shutter for 1.0-litre EcoBoost and 85 PS 1.5-litre TDCi engines. A new Eco button for manual transmissions adjusts engine and throttle settings to help drivers save even more fuel when desired. Underbody aero shielding further reduces aero drag.

Summary

The Ford Fiesta has always been a vehicle the British public has warmed to but the truth is that before this seventh generation model arrived, supermini buyers chose this car either because it was great to drive or because they'd been offered a deal too good to turn down: there wasn't really another reason to buy one. This MK7 version changes all that, smarter to look at, smarter to sit in, smarter to operate and smarter under the bonnet.

In short, this is, more than ever, a small car that supermini buyers simply can't ignore.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Ford Fiesta

PRICES: £15,000-£22,000 [est] – on the road

INSURANCE GROUPS: TBC

CO2 EMISSIONS: [1.5 TDCi 95PS] 82g/km

PERFORMANCE: [1.0 EcoBoost 100PS] 0-62mph 11.2s / Max speed 112mph [est]

FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.0 EcoBoost] (combined) 65.7mpg [est]

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Electronic stability control, ABS with brake assist, seven airbags

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm TBC

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