New Fiesta is a feast for Ford
At the beginning of July, Ford already started selling the next generation Fiesta, which has been available on the Slovenian market since the end of August. It features a very sophisticated set of driving assistants, to which is added a very wide range of equipment options. At the end of the year, in addition to the three levels already set, which will first be available to buyers, the offer of richer equipment, Vignale and ST-Line, will be added, and at the beginning of 2018, the Fiesta Active crossover. Subsequently, Ford also announces at least a 200-horsepower sports Fiesta ST. But first, the regular one will be available, with three trim levels (Trend, Style and Titanium) and four versions with petrol and diesel engines (both of the most powerful versions will be available later).
The appearance of the Fiesta, of course, has become more mature, which they achieved due to a slightly longer (plus 7,1 cm) and wider (plus 1,3 cm) body. Fewer changes to the front end design where they retain the distinctive Ford grille that differs in terms of version (regular, Vignale, Titanium, Active, ST and ST Line). However, with modified headlights (including LED daytime running lights and taillights), they made the new Fiesta instantly recognizable. The new Fiesta seems to have changed the least when viewed from the side: the wheelbase has increased by just 0,4 centimeters and the rear has taken on a completely new look.
The cockpit now provides more shade space for both front passengers, while the rear space appears to be kept at its current level. The same is true for the trunk, which is large enough in the more expensive versions of the equipment, with the addition of a double bottom, which allows for a flat loading surface if you flip both split sections of the rear backrest. The Fiesta management has now been redesigned. Two sensors with an additional information display in the middle are practically borrowed from the previous one, and a larger or smaller touchscreen (6,5 or eight inches) can now be installed in the center of the center console at a suitable height. With this innovation, Ford has ditched most of the control buttons. Infotainment and more are now controlled by the driver via a screen, of course the fairly new Ford Sync 3 system is also available.
It is worth mentioning some of the technological innovations that the new Fiesta generation is experiencing. For the first time, Ford will install automatic emergency braking with the ability to recognize pedestrians - even in the dark, if they are illuminated by car headlights. In addition, this system can prevent light collisions when parking with an active parking assistance system, and a cross-traffic recognition system when reversing from parking spaces is also welcome. The Fiesta is available with speed limiter or cruise control, which can also be active. There's also a lane keeping assistant and a blind spot monitoring machine.
The motor offer is spacious. Two three-cylinder petrol engines are now available: a standard naturally aspirated 1,1-litre and a 70-litre positive injection. The smaller three-cylinder engine is new, takes care of basic mobility and is available in two versions (85 and 100 horses). The two already known versions of the three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (repeatedly named International Engine of the Year, rated at 125 and 140 hp) will be joined by an even more powerful 200 hp at the end of the year. horses'. The 1,5-liter turbodiesel remains on offer for "classic" buyers (85 or 120 "horsepower", the latter will not be available until the end of the year). The gearboxes are also simple: the 1,1-liter engine has a five-speed manual, the liter EcoBoost and turbodiesel engines have a six-speed manual, and the basic EcoBoost version also has a classic six-speed gearbox. step automatic transmission.
As one of the few, Ford has decided to offer a three- or five-door version for the next generation of its Fiesta. By using developed computer programs to calculate the best behavior of the sheet metal frame in the event of a collision, the torsional strength of the body has been improved by 15 percent.
The new generation Ford has the longest naming tradition (with over 17 million units produced) in terms of naming in the European market. Fiesta celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, and with their next show at Ford, they are supporting the ambition of now the only "true" American supplier in the European market - with a strong case for workmanship. And again they plan to compete for the title of the best-selling model in Europe together with the Volkswagen Golf.
text: Tomaž Porekar · photo: Ford
