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Copy Of Advert Text Below
Never has so much advanced engineering gone into a small car
We believe that advanced engineering should make a car work better without making it more complicated and expensive to maintain. Because the simpler a car is, the less it costs to own.
That's the thinking behind the new Ford Fiesta.
It's a three door hatch-back with folding rear seats, a transverse engine and front wheel drive.
In fact it combines all the best features of all small cars, in just one car: safe handling, a surprising amount of space and remarkable economy.
Safe, decisive handling
The steering has a built in safety feature called Negative Scrub Geometry. It helps to counteract a car's natural tendency to swerve one way or the other under adverse braking conditions, so it helps you stop in a straight line in emergencies. That means that if a front tyre blows out, or if you have to make a violent stop on a wet road, the Fiesta is much easier to control.
The brakes are dual circuit with discs at the front. It's a diagonally linked system, so if one circuit should fail, you still have braking at both ends of the car.
Cornering? The Fiesta has the widest track in its class, with coil springs all round and steel-braced radial ply tyres. The steering is rack and pinion, the simplest, most direct system there is. And that spoiler under the front bumper creates down-forces that increase stability, especially at high speed.
The gearbox lives up to Ford's reputation for light, quick and precise changes, a real achievement with a front wheel drive car.
And there's a choice of engines: 950 cc (40 bhp) w hich uses 2-star petrol for extra economy, 950 cc (45 bhp) and 1100 cc (53 bhp).
Performance and economy figures are listed in the panel, below.
The Fiesta is nippy in traffic and a decisive overtaker on the open road.
For a baby, it's pretty big
There is more legroom in the back of the Fiesta than any comparable car, and that's where it matters most. Admittedly, it's only a matter of inches more, but the clever thing is that we've made it feel even bigger than it really is. See how slim the roof pillars are? And look at the depth of the windows. It's really light and airy inside. The glass area is no less than 25 sq. ft., and you have 309° of all round vision. Quite a safety feature.
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Model
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Engine
Size (cc)
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0-60mph
(secs)
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Max.Speed
(mph)
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DIN Fuel
Consumption
(mpg)
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Price (£)
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Fiesta
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950 40bhp
950 45bhp
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16.1
15
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80
85
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41.5
37.7
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xxxx
xxxx
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Fiesta L
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950 40bhp
950 45bhp
1110
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16.1
15
13.7
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80
85
90
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41.5
37.7
35.8
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xxxx
xxxx
xxxx
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Fiesta S
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1110
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13.7
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90
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35.8
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xxxx
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Fiesta Ghia
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950 45bhp
1110
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15
13.7
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85
90
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37.7
35.8
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xxxx
xxxx
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With the back seats folded there is 42.6 cu. ft. of luggage space. Or, to look at it another way, there's even room for a chest of drawers in the back. And you see the way the back door, which is assisted by twin gas struts, opens to floor level. That means that you don't have to heave heavy cases over a high sill. Women drivers will appreciate this point when they're doing the weekly shopping.
For an advanced car, it's amazingly cheap to own
Fuel consumption figures obtained from a standard European test procedure (DIN) are 37.7 mpg for the 950 cc 45 bhp models and 35.8 mpg for the 1100 cc models. And the economical 40 bhp models can do as much as 41.5 mpg on two star petrol*.
To reduce ownership costs further we've simplified servicing. To name just a few labour-saving features the Fiesta has a sell-adjusting clutch, self-adjusting brakes, maintenance free wheel bearings, and 'lubed for life' suspension and steering.
And since electrical systems are the biggest single cause of break-downs, we've reduced the number of connections in the Fiesta's to a bare minimum. For instance, it has a printed circuit instrument cluster.
You'll also find a surprising amount ot space under the bonnet which makes every thing very accessible. If you like to do your own servicing, you can get at all the parts you need to without skinning your knuckles.
The same attention to detail goes into the bodywork. First it's treated with phosphate which inhibits rust. Next the entire body is immersed in primer which is applied electrostatically. Then, after a second primer, it's given four coats of tough acrylic paint for a really durable finish.
To quote Autocar, "As a piece of Ford thoroughness the Fiesta is perhaps their most impressive car yet."
Some baby.
*Ford computed figures.
Captions -
Top-Right - The Fiesta has more leg room in the back than any comparable car.
Middle-Left - Some of the Fiesta's safety features.
Bottom-Left - Performance and economy figures are Ford test figures. Maximum prices, seat belts, car tax and VAT inc. Delivery and number plates at extra cost.
Bottom-Right - 42.6cu.ft. of loadspace.
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