Fast Facts

Verdict:
-

-

-

A new 1.6-litre engine now gives the Fiesta license to party

By Nick Syn

I STARTED WRITING this review after spending an inordinate amount of time behind the wheel of what is, in all probability, the best car in the world (see the BMW 330i test drive on page 12). So it’s a testament to the Fiesta’s abilities that after driving it you don’t really feel like you’ve taken a step down.

Ford’s perky compact hatch disappeared from the local model line-up sometime last year due to less than stellar sales performance. A big part of the reason for this was that the old 1.4-litre variant came equipped only with either manual or semi-automatic gearboxes, transmission options that might’ve been entertaining for more enthusiastic drivers but proved too much of a chore for everyone else.

The Fiesta returns in 1.6-litre guise and this time it comes equipped with a proper four-speed automatic, two fairly big selling points in this segment. There aren’t very many 1.6-litre compact hatchbacks, and fewer still that come with jerk-free automatic transmissions, so things are already looking up.

Aesthetically, little has changed, which is no bad thing as the Fiesta is a decent, unobtrusively handsome piece of design. It sort of straddles the sharply angular look that characterises the new Focus, and the more curvaceous styling theme exemplified by the Focus of old.

We tested the Ghia model. In kit terms, you get body-coloured bumpers and wing mirrors, alloy wheels, as well as an integrated stereo with a six-CD changer with controls for the former on the steering column.

The interior of our test car was finished in a nice light beige, which helped greatly to brighten up the cabin. The materials used could stand some improvement, but everything felt reasonably solid.

There’s plenty of room for four adults though, with headroom in particular being especially generous while the large window areas make for a airy driving ambience.

If you have to squash in a fifth passenger, Ford has thoughtfully equipped the centre rear seat with a three point safety belt. Additionally on the safety front, there are a plethora of airbags as well as Ford’s proven Intelligent Protect System, which helps to optimise the deployment of all the vehicle’s safety features in the event of a prang.

On the move, the Fiesta displays the same pleasingly tidy handling characteristics as the old 1.4-litre variant. The steering is very accurate and nicely weighted, add that to body control that would shame many more expensive cars and you have a compelling package.

The 1.6-litre four-cylinder Duratec engine pumps out 100bhp, enough to get the Fiesta fom 0 to 100km/h in 11.9 seconds but it feels faster than the on-paper figures suggest. While the four-speed automatic is smooth, the raspy exhaust gives you further incentive to drive the pants off it.

In all, the Fiesta proves to be a more complete and attractive package than the old 1.4-litre variant. And at the very competitive price of $66,900 with COE (a price that includes six-months’ free instalments capped at $700), there’s even more reason for buyers in the market for small cars
with big hearts to celebrate.

NEED TO KNOW

FORD FIESTA 1.6 GHIA
ENGINE TYPE 1,596cc in-line 4
MAX POWER 100bhp at 6,000rpm
MAX TORQUE 146Nm at 4,000rpm
GEARBOX 4-speed automatic
TOP SPEED 179km/h
0-100 KM/H 11.9 seconds
PRICE $66,900 with COE
WARRANTY 5 years/100,000km
CONTACT Regent Motors
TELEPHONE 6846-9088