With the addition of two new diesel derivatives as well as an all-new automatic option, the Fiesta range is one of the most comprehensive available on the small car market. This brings the number of engine variations up to four, with a 1.4 petrol, a 1.6 petrol, a 2.0 petrol and the new 1.6 TDCi now on offer, while manual and automatic transmissions are now available. Buyers are also able to choose between three- and five-door Fiesta body styles with various trim levels available.
DIESEL MOTORS ADD SPICE TO FIESTA LINE-UP
Driving quality and dynamics are features always regarded as a focal point by Ford engineers. With new engine and transmission options being added to the Fiesta range the product offering has been even further enhanced.
The growing diesel craze, prevalent in European markets, is becoming ever more popular in the local market. As consumers begin to realise the performance advantage, not to mention economical gains associated with small diesel engines, the Fiesta diesel couldn’t come at a better time.
The new 1.6-litre TDCi power unit has lightweight, all aluminium alloy construction, second-generation ultra high-pressure common rail diesel injection, twin overhead camshafts, 16 valves and an electronic ‘drive-by-wire’ throttle.
A key development area for the new engine was to achieve strong bottom end pulling power, with high levels of torque from very low engine revs, and the 1.6-litre TDCi has more than met its initial targets.
The Fiesta’s new engine produces an impressive 204Nm of maximum torque from a low 1 500rpm through to nearly 3 000rpm, while 170Nm is on offer from just 1 250rpm. The engine delivers a power output of 66kW at 3900 rpm.
The TDCi’s drive-by-wire throttle control system has been tuned to give sporty response to throttle inputs as well as smoothness during pull away and gear shifting. The 16-valve all aluminium power unit weighs less than 120kg. With its light weight construction, the TDCi delivers many benefits in terms of performance and driving dynamics.
Mated to the IB5 manual gearbox the ratios have been optimised for flexible performance and fuel economy, as well as being up-rated internally to cope with the engine’s high levels of torque.
Proving that diesel power and performance characteristics do go hand in hand the newest Fiesta in the line-up reaches a top speed of 180km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 11.9 seconds. However it is the flexible diesel power that allows it to propel from 0 to 60km/h in fifth gear in a mere 11.2 seconds.
Use of the latest common rail diesel injection technology and its associated engine management systems enable the vehicle to return low fuel consumption figures of 4.5l/100km in the combined cycle and 5.4l/100km on the urban cycle run.
The new 1.6-litre TDCi motor is available in two different body configurations, namely the 3-door Trend and the 5-door Ambiente.
SMOOTH NEW FORD AUTOMATIC FOR FIESTA
The FordFiesta product freshening coincides with the local introduction of a new transmission option for the range. With this addition, Ford now boasts one of the most comprehensive ranges in the small car segment.
A fully automatic four-speed gearbox will be available with the 1.6-litre petrol Ford Fiesta, offering customers even further freedom of choice in the small car segment and filling the current gap in the market.
The Fiesta 1.6 A/T Ambiente is available in five-door configuration offering a wide array of comfort and convenience features. Targeted at the more mature buyer, space and versatility are abundant in the five-door model.
The four-speed auto box is mated to the sprightly 1.6-litre 16V Duratec engine offering responsive driving characteristics in a compact and practical small hatch. The Duratec 16V engine is equipped with a precision electronic, drive-by-wire throttle control specially calibrated for quick response, economy and driveability.
The all-new FordFiesta features a modern, dependable power train for responsive performance and refined driveability while delivering exceptional fuel economy. In staying with Ford’s goal to deliver tangible value to small car customers Fiesta aims to deliver class-leading driving quality, and low levels of fuel consumption in real-world driving.
Large car technology underpins the Fiesta’s electronic systems as the new models also feature a distributed electronic network. Each of the vehicle’s on-board computers is linked in a Controller Area Network (CAN) so that information can be communicated throughout the network by high speed data, using multiplex cabling and a central generic electronic module (GEM).
The CAN system was specially developed to allow robust and rapid information sharing between vehicle electronic systems. It enables ‘real time’ communication of information around the networked systems. Information is ‘broadcast’ around the network rather than sent to particular recipients so it can be accessed and used by any linked microprocessor.
This allows for instant electronic communication to the transmission control module. In other words it performs high-speed information transmission through the CAN-BUS connection, making the gear shift smoother and at the same time adding to the overall fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
The 16V Duratec 1.6-litre engine delivers a maximum power output of 74kW at 6 000rpm while the torque peak of 146Nm is reached at 4 000rpm. Calibrated to deliver low fuel consumption across a wide range of driving conditions encountered by customers in real life, the 1.6 A/T returns a fuel consumption figure of 10.4l/100km within city confines. This figure can be expected to improve further on the open road.
The Fiesta 1.6 AT reinforces the ranges excellent reputation for driving quality, by offering a combination of responsive, flexible performance and smooth automatic shifting. It also adapts its behaviour to ensure this drivability is maintained in different driving conditions.
As with the other petrol models in the Fiesta line-up Service Intervals for the 1.6 AT Ambiente are pegged at 20 000kms.
