I just love the way Ford has chosen to describe the exterior of the new Fiesta. They call it a “kinetic design” and as near as I can figure out, that means a busy design. When you look at the Fiesta and can pick your favourite angle, there is always something going on design-wise that will attract your eye. Every panel has a curve, a crease or a fold in it that makes a sitting car look mobile and a moving car look even better.
For aficionados that follow the European versions of cars, please note that Ford paid attention to you and left well enough almost alone. Side views will turn up blacked out window trim and alloy wheels that look great sitting still and when moving. Up front and at the rear, there is a bit of chrome. The most significant difference in design between here and across the pond is how the Blue oval is displayed front and rear.
Instrumentation
It is the same thing inside. Ford has wisely retained their European (or global focus as they prefer to call it) theme, but with American materials. The tach and speedometer still dominate the instrument cluster. The fuel level indicator fills the bottom space between tach and speedo while engine temperature has been relegated to a blue warning light for cold and red for hot. When everything is fine both are out. The top portion of the gap is a digital display that provides information like exterior temp and fuel economy.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy didn’t seem to be a burning issue when I drove this manual five-speed. I was more concerned about how well it drove when it was dry out. I managed to get plenty of pussy-footing with the rain and cold weather that we had. Even so, I managed to get an average of about 8.6 l/100 km in town. I figured that was pretty good considering how hard I drove it.
If you are really into fuel economy, Ford has equipped the Fiesta with an upshift light that will act as a guide to improving your fuel economy. The theory is that you get to the next higher gear as soon as possible without letting engine speed drop too low. I ignored the light and rowed up and down through the gears like I was on my way to a world championship.
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| The Fiesta can be as fun or as economical as the driver wants. (Photo: Charles Renny/Auto123.com) |
For aficionados that follow the European versions of cars, please note that Ford paid attention to you and left well enough almost alone. Side views will turn up blacked out window trim and alloy wheels that look great sitting still and when moving. Up front and at the rear, there is a bit of chrome. The most significant difference in design between here and across the pond is how the Blue oval is displayed front and rear.
Instrumentation
It is the same thing inside. Ford has wisely retained their European (or global focus as they prefer to call it) theme, but with American materials. The tach and speedometer still dominate the instrument cluster. The fuel level indicator fills the bottom space between tach and speedo while engine temperature has been relegated to a blue warning light for cold and red for hot. When everything is fine both are out. The top portion of the gap is a digital display that provides information like exterior temp and fuel economy.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy didn’t seem to be a burning issue when I drove this manual five-speed. I was more concerned about how well it drove when it was dry out. I managed to get plenty of pussy-footing with the rain and cold weather that we had. Even so, I managed to get an average of about 8.6 l/100 km in town. I figured that was pretty good considering how hard I drove it.
If you are really into fuel economy, Ford has equipped the Fiesta with an upshift light that will act as a guide to improving your fuel economy. The theory is that you get to the next higher gear as soon as possible without letting engine speed drop too low. I ignored the light and rowed up and down through the gears like I was on my way to a world championship.
 |
| The tach and speedometer dominate the instrument cluster. (Photo: Charles Renny/Auto123.com) |