Two new models were recently launched on their debut on Maltese road conditions: the 100bhp, one-litre, three-cylinder in-line turbo, in which we didn’t bat around the roads of Malta, and the 1.4 Titanium five-door model, with its in-line, four-cylinder engine beating out a pleasant 96bhp.
This car was thoroughly tested across the whole gambit of roads and surfaces in Malta.
We used conventional arterial roads with good road surfaces as well as some recently surfaced areas along Dingli Cliffs.
The notorious Żebbiegħ to Għajn Tuffieħa stretch worried the crew more than the Fiesta and we batted up the now somewhat suspect length of San Martin Hill.
All in all, the latest Fiesta was even better than we thought possible. It accelerated well, handled beautifully, treating changes of surface and ever-tightening bends with utter disdain.
Five people can be carried in everyday mode, four can be carried for very long distances and the front two, with well-designed seats, can enjoy the full potential of this evergreen class beater. An enthusiastic ‘pilot’ can find themselves driving as we did in England 55 years ago, before the nanny state took control of so many of life’s little pleasures.
Of course, hands off braking from speeds of up to 80 km/h was successfully attempted and to this writer’s surprise, the electrically operated power steering was well and truly up to giving enough road feel to stop the driver from becoming divorced from what the front wheels were telling him.
This latest Fiesta handles in the utterly forgiving manner that was first discovered in the late 1970s when Miżieb hillclimb was tackled in the first Fiesta model.
In other words, although various electronic gubbins are now the rule, the Fiesta is in an exclusive club of interesting, well-mannered cars totally able to take a bit of a tune-up and perform well on various race circuits around the world.
Back to the test. The driver’s seat was pumped up to give more forward vision. This is a personal thing, as I really do like seeing as much of the bonnet as possible.
Readers must understand that the length of any car, unless front and back can be seen and not gauged through many miles of driving, will always be a problem for a short-duration road test on our very crowded roads and difficult to judge parking spaces.
I also shudder when I see tiny drivers peering through the spokes of the steering wheel, as they will neither raise the seat nor put supportive cushions to give them the necessary height to see over the wheel.
This is a car with a totally ‘sorted’ floor pan, suspension, crumple zones and various strengths, giving support for a side smash. Active safety is looked after by traction control, hill assist, ABS, anti-lock brakes and EBD, which provide Emergency Brake Distribution.
These are all marvellous safety features the current driver will expect to find even if they have no idea what they actually do.
For many people, the air-conditioner is possibly the only thing that keeps them fully awake and able to react at speed in summertime emergencies, although many will argue that the stereo with CD player and steering controls is the most important gadget in the car as it’s the one they fully understand. One also finds an MP3 adapter.
Central locking with remote control is popular, power-adjusted mirrors keep hands dry on wet nights. The capless fuel system is what it says. The rear seats fold down, 60:40, which increases the size of the luggage hold enormously.
The rear spoiler is attractive and possibly useful in controlling a bit of downforce at the rear.
As we expected, the lights are brilliant; obviously, the headlamps can be levelled, depending on the rear biased weight distribution.
The car comes with LED daytime running lights to be legal right across the EU. There are chrome front projector headlights, front fog lights and ambient lighting.
Apart from colour-coded handles and mirrors, there are decent chrome surrounds.
Obviously, the front windows are electrically controlled, the alloy wheels (16 inch) look great, and to make life considerably easier when reversing, the rear parking sensors give more than adequate warning as obstructions are approached.
Add a trip computer and a leather-covered steering wheel and gearshift and the Fiesta becomes even more popular for many.
But like so many well-made modern cars, personal preference quite often has to become relegated by price.
The Fiesta should never be thrust aside, for whatever reason.
Verdict
Comfort
This car is set up for a driver to get the best out of it.
Performance
What it lacks in maximum speed is more than made up for with great road holding and the ability to maintain high averages on less-than-perfect roads.
Cool
This is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
At a glance
Top speed
109mph.
C02
130gm/km.
Engine
In-line, four-cylinder, displacing 1.4 litres. Combined fuel
48.7mpg.
Front wheel drive.
Power
96bhp.
Torque
94 lb/ft.
Maximum torque
CO2.130gms/km.
0-60mph.
12.2 seconds
Dimensions
Length: 3,950 mm;
Width: 1,973 mm including mirrors;
Height: 1,481 mm.