Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta is a mid-class supermini car designed and built by the Ford Motor Company in Europe, and also manufactured in Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, China, India and South Africa. It is now marketed worldwide, including Japan and Australasia, and was sold briefly in North America. It is one of Ford’s most successful cars with over ten million sold in seven distinct generations since 1976 and production continues as of 2007, with an eighth generation expected during 2008. It is also set to return to the US by 2009. In 2002, the all new third-generation car was unveiled, with no genetic links to the 1976 original. Most engines were carried over from the previous Fiesta, but renamed “Duratec” with the “Zetec” tag used for the sportier models in place of the previous Si. Trim levels available initially were Finesse, LX, Zetec and Ghia, with limited Edition variants soon following. The Mark VI was also the first Fiesta to feature the Anti-lock Braking System and passenger airbags as standard. Engines available include 1.25 L, 1.3 L, 1.4 L, 1.6 L, 2.0 L petrol (gasoline), plus 1.4 8v and 1.6 16v TDCi common-rail diesels built in a joint venture with PSA. In Brazil the Fiesta is a no-frills car and the engine options includes 1.0 L 8v, 1.0 L 8v Supercharged (95 hp, not sold any more in Brazil, though still assembled and exported to Colombia), as well as a Brazilian specific 1.6 L 8v alcohol/gasoline (110 hp) “RoCam” “flexifuel” version. The internal Code name of this model is B256 (5 door) and B257 (3 door). The Ford Fiesta ST is the performance variant of the new Fiesta, capable of speeds of up to 130 mph (210 km/h) and hopes to relive the success of the XR2. To differ it from the standard Fiesta, it also has visual enhancements, including 17″ alloy wheels, different front and rear bumpers, side skirts, body colour handles and bump strips, partial leather seats and a ST logo on the steering wheel. The ST version features a 2.0L Duratec petrol engine, which produces 150 PS (147.9 hp/110.3 kW) in standard form. In Australia, the Fiesta ST is sold as the Fiesta XR4. Like all Euro sporty Fords sold in Australia, they all use the ‘XR’ badging, instead of the ‘ST’ badging used in Europe. This was also the first Fiesta to be sold in Asia and Australasia (all 1.6 L LX 3dr/5dr, Zetec 3dr, Ghia 5dr), replacing the Kia-based Festiva. In Brazil and Argentina, a Fiesta Saloon version was introduced in late 2004. A similar Fiesta Saloon model, with a different front end, was released in India in late 2005. Although the Mark VI Fiesta was ergonomically and mechanically more advanced than any previous Fiesta generation, it was criticized for being too dull and ‘heavy’ looking. It was a bit of a stylistic fail. However, the Mark VII came with an improved exterior.