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Fiesta gets a face-lift

Ford seems to have finally woken up from its Fiesta siesta. Take one look at the face-lifted Fiesta and you will realise that this car could resurrect Ford’s success in India.

The aggressive triangulated lower grille with the smart black insert and new headlamps are reminiscent of the ‘kinetic design’ ideology that prevails in Fords across our shores like the Mondeo and Focus. Interiors have been revamped too with new instrument clusters and the top-of-the-line luxurious SXI now gets soft leather seats and a mahogany central console as standard.

Production of the 1.4 litre petrol has been discontinued, leaving only the 1.6 DuraTec petrol and 1.4 DuraTorq diesel. Ford claims that the 1.6 DuraTec petrol engine with its re-mapped ECU gives similar fuel consumption figures to the old 1.4-litre unit. Both petrol and diesel cars come in three trim variants: EXI, ZXI and SXI.

Safety has become a high priority with the new Fiesta. The SXI versions have dual airbags and inertia reel seat belts as standard. ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution) also feature on these Fiestas.

And there’s an all-new ‘sports’ model – the 1.6 S — with tweaked suspension which delivers better feedback and control. Ford seems to have got the suspension set-up right since the car doesn’t shock you over the bumps. Sporty elements like a spoiler, body kit, chrome-tipped exhaust and cooler 15-inch alloys also come standard on the 1.6 S. Low-profile 195/55 R15 tyres augment the sporty nature of the car.

Finally a desirable Fiesta has morphed into being. Given that the Indian consumer is getting choosy about style and driving dynamics, the new Fiesta seems like it could improve its success in this increasingly competitive segment.

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