2017 Ford Fiesta Gets Two-Cylinder Mode for 1.0L EcoBoost, Crossover Version

Following today's Insta-leak, the new Fiesta has now made its debut at the company's Go Further event in Cologne, Germany and the B-segment model has tons of new features we need to discuss.

Before we move any further, we'll drop a mention for our US readers, who should know that the fresh Fiesta will come to America as 2018 model. So despite Ford's ever-sharper global vehicle strategy, US fans still have some waiting to do at this point.

However, the Blue Oval seems to have paid attention to the market's ever-increasing need for individuality, as you can now choose between four flavors for the seventh-gen Fiesta.

Don't call the standard model "basic", though, as the carmaker prefers the Titanium moniker instead. This is followed by the upmarket Vignale, which falls in line with the company's recent efforts to boost its premium sub-band. Then we have the ST-Line (the one mentioned in the leak above), which gives us a few visual clues on how the fully-blown ST model will look like.

Last, but certainly not least, Ford is taking full advantage of the market's ever-increasing crossover thirst with the rugged-looking Fiesta Active.

Regardless of which incarnation you go for, the Fiestaness of the thing will instantly shine - from the elongated headlights and the sporty hood to the profile of the car, the traditional Fiesta design element are here. However, the taillights have ditched the vertical layout of the past two generations. The rear light clusters now feature a horizontal setup, one that mixes a generous size with dynamic styling.

The more generous taillights only seem fitting, since the Fiesta has grown a bit for the new generation.

As expected, the automaker has chosen to use an evolution of its aging B-Platform rather than introduce an all-new architecture for the Fiesta. So, together with an important part of its rivals, the new Fiesta proves the budget-related aspect mentioned in the intro still hasn't fully been left behind.

However, climbing aboard the 2017 Fiesta reveals massive improvements, both on the material quality and gadgets front. We'll focus on the latter, whose changes are dominated by the new 8-inch infotainment screen.

Not only does the floating display help Ford get rid of the crowded button layout, but it also marks the switch to the SYNC 3 interface. The latter brings all sorts of benefits, leaving the unpleasant and dated feeling of the SYNC 2 behind. Those willing to dig into the list of optional extras will be pleased to come across goodies such as a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system or a panoramic sunroof.

In terms of features, safety-related goodies dominate the list of changes. The Mk VII Fiesta packs 15 new driver assistance systems, with the most remarkable being a collision avoidance system that can scan the road ahead for up to 130 meters and activate the brakes when necessary.

We've saved the powertrain details for last, as this is where the Ford engineers have come up with a world-first. The 1.0-liter EcoBoost, which has already proven its abilities in terms of both efficiency and pulling power, receives a host of revisions, chief among which is a cylinder deactivation mode.

When full power is not required, the three-pot can operate as a two-cylinder mill. While the company cites an efficiency boost of up to 6% and the ability to be engaged or disengaged in 14 milliseconds, we'll have to wait for the first drive for the conclusions on the unit's twin mode.

The range-topping TDCi diesel also gets a boost in both output and efficiency, while revised five- and six-speed transmissions are offered.

Then again, that conclusion is true for the entire car. For now, though, the news is good, with the Fiesta appearing to be an important step ahead in terms of overall refinement.