The new Ford Fiesta - the stylish subcompact that is ushering in a new wave of global cars from Ford - is off to a fast start in Europe.
The strong early sales of the Fiesta helped Ford's European operations increase market share at the end of 2008 and this bodes well for the company as it prepares to launch the global small car in China in the first quarter of this year and in other key Asian markets and the US in early 2010.
In the first two months, Ford sold more than 42,200 new Fiestas in Europe's 19 main markets, despite soft overall industry sales, making the new Fiesta the second-most popular vehicle in the Ford of Europe line-up behind the Focus compact. The Fiesta, including the new version and outgoing model, was the best-selling car in the UK in November.
The car is attracting a broader range of customers to the Ford brand and customers are choosing upscale features and trim packages. About 50 per cent of new buyers are choosing the upscale Titanium and Ghia versions of the new Fiesta. And half of new Fiestas on the road are equipped with bluetooth capability, while more than 60 per cent were ordered with leather-wrapped steering wheels and 30 per cent with privacy glass.
The new Fiesta is the first in a series of fuel-efficient small cars developed through Ford's global product development process. Its stylish and dynamic flair combines with all the traditional Ford small car strengths to create a confident, contemporary introduction to the next chapter of the Fiesta success story.
In Malta, the new Fiesta is available with a choice of three petrol and one diesel engine and three trim levels, from the entry level Trend, to the range-topping Sport and Titanium. Prices start from €13,600 for a three-door 1.25-litre Trend.
Powered by a 1,242cc four-cylinder, five-speed Duratec petrol engine with four valves per cylinder, the car boasts 82 PS of peak power at 5,800 rpm and 114 Nm of torque (pulling power) at 4,200 rpm. With a top speed of 167 km/h acceleration to 100 km/h takes 13.3 seconds and it returns 5.7 litres/100 km in the combined cycle and 133 g/km of CO2.
Standard specifications on all models include colour-coded bumpers front and rear, front headlamp levelling, rear spoiler, power-adjusted heated door mirrors incorporating turn indicators, air-conditioning, central locking with remote control, driver and passenger front airbags, electric power assist steering, four-way adjustable steering wheel, ABS brakes with electronic stability programme, electric front windows, CD radio with MP3 compatibility and steering wheel controls, trip computer and height-adjustable driver's seat.