This is the Ford Verve Concept which will preview the styling of the next generation 2009 Ford Fiesta, Ford’s B-Segment hatchback that shares the Mazda 2‘s platform, and likely its Japanese sibling’s fuel efficient powertrains as well.
Offering a combination of design, safety, quality, fuel efficiency and advanced technology leader in its class.
The current Ford Fiesta is a good car, but the company and particularly its dealers have struggled with shedding the ‘Falcon Car Company’ image and making real inroads into sales in the light and small car segments.
Ford names the design theme ‘Kinetic’, and the same elements are now incorporated into almost the whole of the European Ford lineup. No such harmonization within the U.S. range though, where the Fiesta’s dart-like profile will look out of place. It’s an aggressive and emotional shape with strongly three-dimensional surfacing, but look closer and it’s also very neatly finished and detailed. That reflects the whole car’s personality — it’s zippy and a ball of fun, but equally it’s thoroughly refined with a sense of depth to the engineering.
The interior design was previewed almost exactly by the Verve concept, though of course that was dressed up in all sorts of fancy materials. The Fiesta’s fascia is busy looking, with bold shapes and lines that hold your interest. It’s well put together, too. The stalks and switches click with precision, the pedals and gearlever all travel through their arcs with a well-damped, oiled glide.
The 1.6-litre engine with manual transmission delivers 88kW of power at 6000rpm and 152Nm of torque at 4050rpm. Fuel consumption is a frugal 6.1L/100km and carbon emissions are contained to 143g/km. delivering the best fuel use in its class, and features voice control of the first in its class can be used to control the entertainment system and the phone via Bluetooth connectivity as well as providing iPOD/MP3/USB.
But there’s joy to be had from making the best of them. The rev-counter numbers are admonishingly red from a none-too-ambitious 6000, but the cut-out lurks at 6600 and was frequently visited during the drive, because it’s such a sweet and smooth motor. Your ears never call for an early upshift, so you can pelt through strings of curves without having to let the engine come off the boil.
The other side of light weight is impressive fuel numbers. The 1.6 is the thirstiest of the versions on sale in Europe, which include gas engines from 1.25-liters upward and a set of refined super-economy diesels. One of those diesels will turn a Prius from green to green with envy, because it undercuts the holy hybrid’s CO2 emissions. The 1.6 gasoline does 39.9 mpg in the European economy test cycle, which almost matches a similarly powerful Mini Cooper’s figures.
Performance from the 1.6-litre engine, coupled to the five-speed manual gearbox, was more than adequate for a spirited afternoon of driving through the Adelaide Hills, without setting any speed records.
At 156.6 inches for the five-door (a three door version is also available for Europe and is eventually expected for the U.S.), the hatchback is half a foot longer than key price rival the Toyota Yaris liftback. Yet it weighs almost the same — 2250 pounds with representative equipment and full tanks. Despite the fact it now matches the best small cars anywhere for crash test integrity. It also comes with up to seven airbags and, on most versions, ESP.
The electric power steering is light at low speed but still perhaps a little light at highway speed for the serious driver.
Ride and handling is well controlled and confident, without being exceptional, while the damping is aimed more at comfort than handling and does occasionally produce a bouncy ride over the short.
Not that the new Fiesta is small and like cars in all segments, current design principles mean the vehicle is spacious on the inside, while compact on the outside.
Versatility, robustness and reliability of the Ford Ranger continues to support the success and popularity among consumers.
It proved a strong seller in that fuel-starved decade, and the company is hoping the same good fortune will strike the new one. Luckily for all, the Fiesta is a superb little car.
2009 Ford Fiesta Specifications
Vehicle Layout : Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door, hatchback and sedan
Engine : 1.6L/120-hp/112-lb-ft 16-valve I4
Transmission : 5-speed manual
Curb Weight : 2250 lb (mfr)
Wheelbase : 97.9 in
Length x Width x Height : 155.6 (hatch), 167.3 (sedan U.S.) x 77.7 (w/mirrors), 67.9 (w/o mirrors) x 58.3 in
0-62 mph : 9.9 sec (mfr est)
EPA City/Hwy Econ : 39.9 mpg (European cycle)
CO2 Emissions : n/a
On Sale In U.S : 2010
