Ford has revealed the new Ford Fiesta in the UK, featuring new styling, an enhanced technology package, and upgraded mild hybrid powertrains.
What we love the most about the new Fiesta is that it now comes with a Wrong Way Alert as part of a suite of advanced driver assistance technologies.
The system uses a windscreen-mounted camera in combination with information from the car’s navigation system to provide drivers with an audible and visual warning should they drive through two “No Entry” signs on a motorway ramp.
Looking at how driving on the wrong side of the road has become a trend in Malaysia, this is the feature we actually need the most at the moment.
Powertrain
Coming back to the Fiesta, the model range has been expanded with new Vignale packs that amplify the Titanium, ST‑Line and Active personalities with luxury specifications.
The new Fiesta’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost Hybrid engine is available with 125 PS and 155 PS power outputs, combined with either a seven-speed Powershift dual-clutch automatic or a six-speed manual transmission.
Meanwhile, EcoBoost Hybrid models feature a belt-driven integrated starter/generator (BISG) in place of the standard alternator, enabling recovery and storage of energy usually lost during braking and coasting to charge a 48-volt lithium-ion, air-cooled battery pack.
The new Fiesta ST on the other hand, comes with a 1.5‑litre EcoBoost engine providing 200 PS and 320 Nm of torque.
Patented, cold-formed force vectoring springs and Tenneco twin-tube front dampers provide the Fiesta ST with sharp turn-in and high levels of body control, while an optional Quaife mechanical limited-slip differential delivers enhanced traction and cornering agility.
New driving modes in the Ford Fiesta
In addition to the Normal and Sport Drive Modes, the new Fiesta ST also features a Track mode in place of new Fiesta’s Eco mode, which disables traction control and sets ESC to wide-slip mode for circuit driving.
On the exterior, the new Fiesta gets a bonnet design that increases the height of the nose, combined with larger upper grilles. The Ford “blue oval” badge is now displayed within the grille, rather than on the bonnet lip, contributing to greater road presence.
New standard LED headlights also contribute to the confident, modern design language of the new Fiesta, with sleek horizontal design.
At the rear, the standard lights receive new black surrounds for a more sophisticated appearance, while the available LED rear lights are completed with a Premium Black outer finish.
More personalisation options
Each new Fiesta variant has a more differentiated personality with unique fascia and grille designs alongside signature exterior and interior design elements to reflect individual characters.
The Ford Performance-inspired ST-Line offers a sportier character and is recognisable by its new upper grille with deeper inset and gloss black honeycomb finish.
Interior of the Ford Fiesta
Inside, a 12.3-inch, fully-configurable TFT digital instrument cluster is introduced to new Fiesta giving drivers the ability to personalise and prioritise information displays including navigation notifications.
The cluster features uniquely-themed displays to correspond with selected Drive Modes, and a separate area for high-priority information such as driver assistance technologies.
That being said, whether or not the new Fiesta will come to Malaysia remains unknown as the brand is only focusing on selling the Ranger here as we speak.
