BIG CAR FEATURES ADD TO FIESTA COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
- Premium car features brought to a small car
- Maximum driver comfort assured with generous seating positions and adjustable steering wheel
- Personal electronic-inspired entertainment system
- Intelligent interior increases space and storage without increasing exterior dimensions
Developed around the philosophy of bringing “big car” premium features into the small car segment, the new Fiesta sets higher standards for comfort and convenience for both driver and passengers.
With high-quality finishing touches, appealing contemporary materials and user interfaces inspired by the latest personal electronics, Fiesta is no ordinary small car.
The new Fiesta is designed to give drivers the feeling they are seated behind the wheel of a sports car. Controls for major functions are within easy reach, including the In-Car Entertainment (ICE) system embedded in the centre console. Steering wheel-mounted controls make it easy to adjust the audio system.
To ensure a comfortable, yet sporty driver’s seat, extra back and thigh support has been added to complement the Fiesta’s driving character without compromising on comfort.
The driver’s seat height adjustment has a range of 55mm to accommodate different body sizes, while 286mm of fore and aft adjustment is possible for ideal seating positions. This combination of vertical and horizontal adjustments ensures headroom is not compromised for even the tallest of drivers, despite Fiesta’s sleek roof profile.
The steering wheel is the core interaction between driver and vehicle, and communicates the new Fiesta’s sportiness and confident driving quality. The driving position is further enhanced by the angle of the steering column. The column features a two-way height adjustment and is located at a more vertical angle for greater comfort.
Virtual interior for better visibility
In designing the interior for Fiesta, designers worked extensively with Computer Aided Virtual Engineering (CAVE).
By using a series of projectors and computers, CAVE creates a life-sized simulation of a vehicle’s interior. With this computerised simulation, engineers can virtually adjust the position of the driver’s seat to ensure that visibility, comfort, steering wheel angle and ability to reach major controls are optimised.
Ergonomic experts helped designers shape the Fiesta’s rear windshield to ensure ample visibility, while maintaining its kinetic shape.
Communication devices inspire convenience
The striking centre stack on the instrument panel is the heart of Fiesta’s In-Car-Entertainment (ICE). Designers were inspired by the wave of personal electronic devices and came up with an intuitive, interactive display.
Designers focused on the three themes of Ford’s Human Machine Interface (HMI) strategy:
- Simplicity and integration
- Usefulness and personalisation
- Control and automation
The result is an interface that provides a screen, controls and electronics that are instantly familiar and easy-to-use for today’s driver. Each button and switch on the HMI has been crafted with the minute attention to detail that characterises good portable electronic designs. The Fiesta’s instrument panel centre stack looks and feels very different to traditional automotive switchgear.
The latest personal communication devices have internationally-recognised interfaces and orientation, are stylish and simple to understand and operate. In much the same way Ford has used these devices as a model to help bring traditional automotive controls into the future.
The centre stack is both simple and safe. Drivers can easily operate the unit with minimal distraction. Stylish slanted control buttons and screen prompts use international symbols that are universally recognised.
Angled controls and buttons make it simple to adjust the driving environment with the touch of a fingertip. An outward-facing dimple on the centre button acts like a mobile phone keypad, giving the driver a clear centre point reference that’s easy to feel. Radio/CD with MP3 capability and AUX input connections for personal entertainment devices are standard in all new Fiesta models.
The Trend, Sport and Titanium models are equipped with Voice Control technology paired with Bluetooth®, which provides wireless connectivity to a mobile phone. The Voice Control feature allows the use of one’s voice to make and receive calls, change the radio station or music track, all playing through a six-speaker sound system. Sport and Titanium models also are available with a USB audio plug-in feature.
Other functions are easily controlled via a series of toggle-type switches located on the steering wheel, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road.
These subtle features ensure the driver can operate the various functions easily, while quickly referring to a clear, high-mounted 89mm, (3.5-inch) screen.
Interior packaging and premium features
The new Fiesta has remained true to its small car roots. It boasts more interior space without increasing the overall dimensions of the car, with more stowage capacity than ever before.
Front legroom is at 1 069mm, front shoulder room at 1 284mm and ample headroom of 991mm, all combine to create a comfortable environment for any journey.
Rear seat passengers haven’t been forgotten. The new Fiesta offers 953mm of headroom in the back seat, with 1252mm of rear shoulder room and 823mm of legroom. The three-door Fiesta offers 284ℓ of luggage space, the five-door Fiesta has 281ℓ of luggage space, and the newly introduced four-door Fiesta sedan has 430ℓ of luggage space.
Other storage spaces throughout Fiesta include:
- Large front door bins capable of storing a 1.5ℓ bottle or road maps
- Drawer located under the front passenger seat
- Open storage bin in front of the handbrake with USB socket and 12-volt power connector for an MP3 player or mobile phone
- Storage bin at the rear of the console
- Overhead netting
- Windshield parking ticket holder
- Dual seatback map pockets
