New Ford Fiesta Offers Wider Choice and Fantastic Specification Across the Range
HANDS up who, at some point in their life, has either owned or travelled in a Ford Fiesta? You don't actually have to put your hand up at this point but we are pretty sure that all of you could if we insisted.
It's been 40 years since the Fiesta burst forth into our lives and since then more than 17 million of them have been produced worldwide so it's a fairly safe bet that the vast majority of the population has been in one at some time or another.
Now Ford has decided it's time for a Fiesta update to give us the most technologically advanced small car on sale in Europe.
Most technologically advanced small car is quite a claim but it appears well founded.
Traditionally you would expect to find high-end technology like cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors on big executive cars. You wouldn't expect a small car to feature Pre-collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, active parking assistance, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beam, blind spot monitoring, cross traffic alerts, driver alerts, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assistance. All of these things are now available on the new Fiesta.
When the new Fiesta goes on sale later this month it will be available to lease in five trim levels with two more to follow next year. For now you can choose from Style, Zetec, Titanium, ST-Line, and luxury Vignale. The Fiesta Active - a new designation offering rugged SUV-inspired crossover styling that will be expanded across the Ford range over the next few years - and the 200bhp Fiesta ST will follow in 2018.
Of the trim levels available to lease initially the Vignale is the most interesting option.
In case you aren't aware the Vignale designation is Ford's way of adding more luxury to the blue badge. Ford's flagship range offers a bespoke service that includes access to exclusive design touches, a personal representative to lead you through the process, and One Call customer service that allows you to book services and have the car collected and delivered to save you valuable time. 
In the case of the Fiesta that translates to unique 18-inch alloys, exclusive interior trim options, and hexagonal-quilted, tuxedo-stitched leather seats. The result is a refined cabin with all the equipment levels you would normally expect in a big executive car.
It may seem a little strange to offer a bespoke luxury package for the Fiesta but when you consider how many people are downsizing their cars, both private and company car drivers, it makes a lot of sense to offer a small, economical vehicle with luxurious trim levels. It's the best of both worlds.
The new Fiesta is also slightly larger, 7cm longer and 1.3cm wider to be precise, than before. This may not sound like much but it all helps create additional cabin space and a more comfortable feel. There is also a wider tailgate for easy access and extra storage dotted around the cabin. Ford has retained the three and five door variants too so versatility won't be an issue.
The exterior has been refined with the boldest touches of the current Fiesta retained but with a more fluid and elegant design. The lines have been simplified and surfaces de-cluttered. The side profile is more elegant and less wedge-shaped to create a more flowing silhouette. The bonnet has been smoothed out a little to draw your attention to the new, wider grille and sleek wraparound headlights. The new Fiesta is an exercise in fine tuning that at first glance appears to have worked rather well.
The range of engines to complement the new look is equally impressive. Seven different engine choices from just three base engines - two petrol and one diesel - means there is a huge range of choice to suit all drivers.
The 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo petrol engine comes with either 100, 125, or 140bhp, there's a 1.1-litre without a turbo that produces either 70 or 85bhp, and the 1.5-litre turbo diesel in 85 or 120bhp guise. We could wax lyrical about all these variations but we'll spare you the technical bits.
Suffice to say, with economy figures for the EcoBoost starting from 97g/km and 54mpg, the 1.1-litre from 101g/km and 64mpg, and the diesel from 82g/km and 88mpg, there's an excellent balance of power and economy across the range. In particular the 120bhp 1.5-litre TDCi is the most powerful diesel engine ever fitted in a Fiesta which should give it the versatility to be both a brilliant runabout and a comfortable cruiser.
There has never really been a good reason not to lease a Ford and the latest Fiesta won't change that one iota. It's a hugely popular car because it offers good equipment levels, solid performance and economy, great value for money, and it's massive fun to drive at the same time.
Some people might flinch at the thought of downsizing their company car but the new Fiesta Vignale may offer the perfect solution. If that's not you then the Style or the Zetec offer excellent value for money. If you want a bit of added luxury then opt for the Titanium, or the ST-Line if you want a sportier feel to your Fiesta.
Some people might flinch at the thought of downsizing their company car but the new Fiesta Vignale may offer the perfect solution. If that's not you then the Style or the Zetec offer excellent value for money. If you want a bit of added luxury then opt for the Titanium, or the ST-Line if you want a sportier feel to your Fiesta.
Why not check out our latest Ford Fiesta lease offers here: Ford Fiesta offers .
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