Whether as the car you learnt to drive in, the
first car
, the first hot hatch or perhaps all three, a Ford Fiesta tends to feature in your car history at some point. For 40 years now it's been the small car of choice for so many, which makes the new eighth generation car a pretty big deal. It also has the unenviable task of replacing the current Fiesta, a car which in 2016 remains best selling small car in Europe...
Active, ST-Line, Vignale, Titanium left-to-right, OK?
Even Ford describes the Fiesta's design update as "evolutionary", adding length and width (71mm and 12mm respectively) for "a more elegant design, and a more fluid and transitional appearance." Certainly it lacks that instant wow factor the old car had in 2008 - Ford has just shown the car to media over in Cologne - and perhaps isn't as bold as some may have expected, but then neither will it grotesquely offend.
More importantly, you may have noticed that not all Fiestas are created equal. The range now features greater diversity than ever before in an attempt to satisfy ever widening customer demands. So, for example, Ford reckons there's been a 24 per cent year-on-year increase in "high-specification" B-segment sales; hence the introduction of the Fiesta Vignale. That's the white (or Milano Grigio) car you see here on 18-inch (!) wheels. It will bring "exclusive interior detailing and colours" as well as the range of Vignale customer benefits as seen in the Mondeo and S-Max luxo models.
Want an "SUV inspired Fiesta crossover"? Voila!
Furthermore, because every new car buyer (seemingly) loves a crossover, a Fiesta Active has been introduced. That's the car in the pictures with the body cladding, raised suspension and roof bars. Nice. Ford still promises "true Fiesta driving dynamics". If you like it, however, bad news: it won't arrive until later on in the launch schedule. And it's not great if for detractors either, as Ford is promising more Active models soon...
The Titanium is as you were in the previous Fiesta, offering a little more luxury over the regular Zetec and Style models - 48 per cent of Fiestas sold in 2016 have been Titaniums, so it's now the core model. The ST-Line will also be familiar, bringing the look of the sportier models but without the performance gain.
The most interesting engine news for this Fiesta is in fact what's coming soon, because the 999cc Ecoboost will become the world's first cylinder deactivating triple in 2018. Yep, three cylinders down to two. Until then it's offered in a range of power outputs from 100 to 140hp, joined in the range by a 1.5-litre diesel with either 85 or 120hp plus a 1.1-litre petrol that shares its architecture with the Ecoboost but is naturally aspirated. The 1.1 makes either 70 or 85hp and will finally see the 1.25-litre Zetec move on from Fiesta duties, having served there for goodness knows how long. There are five- and six-speed manuals offered, along with a six-speed auto.
Button count in here reduced by nearly half
Ever since the introduction of the Mk4 in 1995, the Fiesta has had a reputation for being great fun to drive. And while the new exterior may not promise much, the changes under the body suggest the small Ford will continue to be the best handling supermini. Torsional stiffness is up 30 per cent, the tracks are wider (30mm front, 10mm rear), there's a stiffer front subframe and the steering friction has been reduced by 20 per cent - all encouraging signs. The Fiesta even now gets Electronic Torque Vectoring Control, braking an inside wheel to aid traction out of turns.
All that being said, it won't have escaped anyone's attention recently that being connected to your car in 2016 is far more about a smartphone than a new front anti-roll bar that improves steering feel. To that end Ford describes the latest Fiesta as "the world's most technologically advanced small car", bringing with it an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, a Bang&Olufsen 'Play' sound system and SYNC3 with voice activation, CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility and all the apps you've never heard of. Certainly that dash looks a lot better for having fewer buttons on it!
But beyond that is the safety tech, including a pre-collision assist that can now detect pedestrians in the dark, assisted parking that can also brake for you and a cross traffic alert system for reversing, said to be a segment first. The Fiesta grows up!
It's a hefty overhaul then, one Ford will be hoping keeps the Fiesta at the top of sale charts for years to come. Prices and a launch date are to be confirmed, but expect to hear plenty more on the new Fiesta soon.
