Hooked-up to our timing equipment, the
Fiesta managed to clock a 9.84 seconds 0-100kph time and 17.10-seconds
quarter-mile putting it on par with the Opel Astra GTC 1.4T we tested last
year. The sound track is entertaining, too. It discharges a buffet of
turbo-induced sound effects, especially when provoked, not to mention the
delightful three-pot thrum as you spin the engine towards its 6,500rpm red
line. There's even a faint as the blow-off valve vents excess pressure when you
come off the throttle.
My
Key system allows parents to restrict speed and remove the ability to disable
safety systems
However, it's not so much the acceleration
figures but rather the engine's low-down surge of torque that makes the Fiesta
such an effortless car to drive, helping it to devour anything that remotely
resembles an incline. And then there are those amazing fuel consumption and
emission figures. Follow the eco-shift prompts on the cluster and you're able
to get pretty close to the manufacturer's claimed combined cycle figure of
4.3l/100km. We managed to register 5.0l /100km over our mixed-terrain economy
route but it's not all smiles and miles - drive it hard and you can expect
figures upwards of 10l/100km.
Ford
codenames all its engines after predatory animals. The 1.0-litre Ecoboost
engine is known internally as ‘Fox’
Twists and turns
Over the years the Fiesta h as become
renowned for its nimble handling characteristics and the model you see here is
no exception. While corners can be taken at relatively decent speeds, thanks to
the revised antiroll bars that have improved roll stiffness by 15%, the
torsion-beam rear suspension does make itself felt on uneven and undulating
surfaces. Thankfully it's nothing too disconcerting and in partnership with the
MacPherson strut front suspension does a noble job of keeping the car planted
to the road. Put to the test, the Fiesta rewards with outstanding handling
characteristics. The steering is diligent and responsive: if anything, it lacks
a touch in feel and feedback, but throw it into a series of rights and lefts
and the reactive handling will hold true and follow the steering's desired line
of travel with aplomb- it's all rather fun. My only bugbears came in the form
of road and wind noise that become notably prevalent at highway speeds, and the
paucity of brake feel that made the stoppers difficult to modulate in traffic.
Ford
says Active City Stop can prevent crashes at up to 10mph and reduce the effects
of those at up to 20mph
Verdict
The Fiesta may lack the execution and
interior fit and finish of the segment leader, the VW Polo, but it delivers far
more enjoyment - especially from behind the wheel. The steering is accurate,
the handling is balanced and nimble, and the engine is one of the best units
I've sampled, delivering adequate poke and phenomenal fuel efficiency. It also
sounds sensational. Those concerned over the long-term reliability of the
diminutive engine will get solace from the fact that Ford has scrupulously
tested the engine to withstand over 240,000kms of arduous driving. But there is
a drawback - the $20,000 sticker price unfortunately means much of its
brilliance will go unnoticed due to the cheaper and equally impressive
B-segment rivals from Korea and Europe.
