Ford has given the Fiesta, one of the best-selling cars of all time across Europe - a facelift for the upcoming 2022 model year. Don't go expecting major, sweeping changes - why mess with success and all that? - but there are some crucial updates for the ever-popular hatch.
Visual changes
The most obvious changes are at the front, where the Fiesta gets a visually taller, chunkier nose with a new grille, new bonnet, and 'angel-eyes' LED running light signature in the all-LED headlamps. There are new bumpers too, while at the back there are new brake lights with a black surround, and optional high-end LED lights too.
Trend and Titanium models get a wider grille, while ST-Line Fiestas get a deeper, more inset grille with a honeycomb finish. The Active SUV-wannabe gets its own unique grille design as well as vents in the front wings.
While Ford's posh Vignale brand might be dead as a stand-alone thing, the Fiesta can be had with a Vignale pack for the Titanium and ST-Line versions. This includes exclusive 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels, premium Sensico seat materials and matte carbon-effect interior decorative elements, depending on the variant.
"Fiesta is a small car with real personality. Its fun-to-drive nature and quality have always been expressed through its styling," said Amko Leenarts, director, Design, Ford of Europe. "For our new Fiesta we have created even more distinctive characters for each of the Fiesta variants, so our customers can choose a version that reflects their own style and outlook on life."
New engines
On the engine front, the base Fiesta engine will now be a 100hp EcoBoost three-cylinder petrol unit with CO2 emissions of 118g/km and fuel economy of 5.2-litres per 100km.
Further up the range will be 48-volt mild-hybrid versions of the turbocharged EcoBoost triple, developing either 125hp or 155hp. CO2 emissions for those engines range from 111g/km to 117g/km. The mild-hybrid setup allows for a little extra power at low rpm, and it works the stop-start system harder around town. Ford says that the technology can restart the engine in just 350 milliseconds, enabling the Auto Start-Stop system to turn off the engine in scenarios such as when coasting to a stop below 25km/h (15mph) even when the vehicle is in gear with the clutch pedal depressed, for even greater fuel savings. The new engines have a claimed five per cent improvement in economy and emissions compared with the predecessors.
If you go for the optional automatic Powershift gearbox, those engines can automatically shut off while still moving when under 12km/h for extra efficiency. There's also a driving mode selector that allows you to choose from Normal, Sport and Eco Drive Modes technology that enables drivers to adjust throttle response, ESC, traction control, plus gearshift timings for automatic models, to match responses and performance to the driving scenarios. Fiesta Active also has Trail and Slippery modes.
Tech specs
In terms of technology, you'll be able to spec your Fiesta with new Matrix LED headlights that blank out portions of the high beam light to avoid dazzling other road users. Inside, you can now have the 12-inch all-digital instrument panel from the Puma, and safety has been boosted with new electronic driver aids
Those include a 'wrong way' alert if the front-facing camera detects that you've driven past a no entry sign, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assistance, blind spot warning, lane-keeping steering, and pre-collision alert and braking.
The SYNC3 infotainment system gets an upgrade with more online connectivity and local hazard warning function, and there's now a rear seat alert to remind you to check the back seats for any snoozing offspring before leaving the car. The eight-inch touchscreen gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and there's a 180-degree parking camera available. Oh, and if you really want to make your ears bleed, there's a Bang and Olufsen stereo option with ten speakers and a 575-watt amp.
At the top of the Fiesta range, the hot ST model gets a new 'Mean Green' paint option, as well as some of the same exterior mods. There are new sports seats inside, while the 1.5-litre 200hp turbo three-cylinder engine gets a torque boost to 320Nm, which trims the 0-100km/h time to 6.5 seconds which is... er... exactly the same as the old one.
"Moving with the times to set new standards for fun-to-drive, technology and efficiency has been a huge part of Fiesta's enduring success," said Roelant de Waard, general manager, Passenger Vehicles, Ford of Europe. "The new Fiesta is another big leap forward for the small car segment, and offers a model to suit every lifestyle."