Last night, Ford revealed the all-new Fiesta, a supermini dubbed by the manufacturer as being the “world’s most technologically advanced small car.” The first thing you need to know about the 2017 Ford Fiesta is that the automaker dubs it as the eighth generation, not seventh. The reason for that is not surprising: the facelifted sixth-generation Fiesta is flaunted by FoMoCo’s marketing department as being a generation in its own right.
Now that we settled that this is the eighth seventh-generation Fiesta, let’s get down to business. Before the facelifted sixth-gen Fiesta made way for the new kid on the block, Ford deleted lower trim levels (Studio and Style) as an excuse to ramp up the starting price from £10,345 to £13,395. Why?
That’s because the Ford Motor Company intends to push the well-equipped Trend as the lowest trim level available for the Fiesta. Higher up, we have the Titanium, ST-Line, Active, and Vignale. The biggest surprise of this five-trim lineup is the Fiesta Active (pictured), which employs crossover-like styling.
With the European market launched planned for next summer, the new Fiesta will be available with 3- and 5-door body styles. Later on, Fiesta will gain an ST variant for those in the market for a hot hatchback with world-class handling dynamics. Until then, however, three humdrum engines will have to suffice. The first of the lot is a naturally aspirated petrol displacing 1.1 liters, available with either 70 PS or 85 PS. Then there’s the 1.0-liter EcoBoost, which will be offered in 100 PS, 125 PS, and 140 PS forms. Be that as it may, only the 100 PS variant of the 1.0-liter turbo will be available with an auto.
Rear disc brakes are reserved only for Fiesta models with engines more powerful than 100 PS. For those interested in getting the most miles per gallon from the 2017 Ford Fiesta, there are two 1.5-liter TDCi diesel on the menu, with 85 PS or 120 PS. Size-wise, the Fiesta measures 4,040 mm (159 inches) in length, 1,734 mm (68.2 inches) in width without the side mirrors, 1,483 mm (58.3 inches) in terms of height, and sports a wheelbase of 2,493 mm (98.1 inches). Thus, it’s longer (71 mm), wider (12 mm), and roomier (16 mm more rear legroom) than the seventh facelifted sixth-generation Fiesta.
Wheels start with 15-inch steelies and go up to 18-inch alloys like the 10-spoke rollers available on the Fiesta ST-Line. If the panoramic glass roof isn’t to your liking, Ford of Europe will gladly sell you the new Fiesta with contrasting roof finishes: white, black, Bohay Bay Mint or Chrome Copper. Regarding comfort, Ford promises better soundproofing (7 percent better than before at 100 km/h / 62 mph) and doors that are 20 percent easier to close than before. I kid you not, but even the wipers are said to cover 13 percent more windshield area compared to the former-generation Fiesta.
On the technological front, SYNC infotainment is available in three flavors: 4.2-, 6.5-, and 8.0-inch units. The instrument cluster now features a digital color screen flanked by analog gauges. Phone mirroring functions such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also available, as is a B&O Play sound system with 10 speakers and a total output of 675 bangin’ watts.
Last but not least, safety. For 2017, the Fiesta can be equipped with two cameras, three radar sensors, and 12 ultrasonic sensors to monitor what is going on around the car. Also, the all-new Fiesta can “see” up front at up to 130 meters. Pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, automatic perpendicular parking, auto braking, auto high beam headlights, rear cross traffic alert, and traffic sign recognition are also featured on the options list.
More preliminary technical specifications for the 2017 Ford Fiesta can be reviewed in the PDF attached right under the adjacent promo video.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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