Ford Fiesta Limited Edition

Opening

Ford is expanding rapidly in India. Its product portfolio now includes the Ikon, Fusion, Fiesta and SUV Endeavour which are all popular models in their respective segments. Recently, Ford India has launched the special edition of its Fiesta sedan in India. The launch was strategically timed before and during the festive season to infuse extra sale volumes for the model. This is the time when many Indians plan their new vehicle purchases and the special edition Ford Fiesta is an attractive option for those who are looking for a cool, comfortable and affordable sedan, and at the same time want something unique.

The Ford Fiesta has been indigenously manufactured in India but its features are designed as per the European Ford Fiesta model which is also sold in Mexico, China, Brazil and Japan.

Appearance Exterior

There have not been many changes made to the exterior of the limited edition Fiesta. The door handles are still black in colour; however, an option for body coloured handles is available at an extra cost. The metallic finish fascia is quite impressive. The head lamps have been replaced with new, attention-grabbing, crystal barrel lamps. 

The Fiesta is otherwise available in seven colours, namely, Panther Black, Brush Steel, Thunder, Platinum, Morello, Diamond white, and Paprika Red.

Appearance Interior

In general, the Fiesta is a spacious car and the interiors are quite chic. The car has additional width and the design makes use of every inch inside without cramping the interiors. This comfortable sedan has a class and style of its own even though the interiors are not as sporty as an Ikon’s. The plush roomy interiors combined with the in-car entertainment system are major highlights of this car.

Although the limited edition model does not look very different from the classic version, it possesses several additional features added to the interiors of the car. The New Fiesta features a 2 Din MP3 player with Auxiliary input, roof antenna, 6 speakers, Leather upholstery, door panels, seat covers, and a glossy center console. There is ample storage space in the dash board too which also adds to travel comfort.      

Performance Drive

The Ford Fiesta is available in 1.4L In-line-4 1399cc Diesel and 1.6L In-line-4 1596cc Petrol engine variants. A 5 speed manual transmission comes standard across variants - so far there is no model available with automatic transmission. The petrol model delivers a mileage of 10.5 / 15.3 kmpl in city/highway while the Diesel model delivers 12.9 / 16.8 km/l (city/highway). 

Before sitting in the car, I bumped my knee against the steering wheel and I was quite surprised. Looking at my expression, the sales person quickly added that the steering wheel could be vertically aligned with the help of a lever and that the person sitting in the seat just before me was fairly shorter. Well, I am tall and need a lot of leg space. He gladly adjusted the steering wheels height as well as distance from me so as to best suit my comfort. Now I was all set.

The drive is smooth and flawless and yet quite powerful as one picks up speed. The seamless transmission provides a feel of responsive technology and quality engineering. The car adapts well to driving terrains and conditions. If Ford says “Drive it to believe it”, they really mean it. You only need to sit behind the crisp and efficient steering wheel and experience the receptive driving experience of the car.

There are several factors that give the car an edge. Firstly there is easier handling and a responsive steering wheel with a small turning radius of only 4.9 meters. Secondly, improved ride quality by the addition of newer and better dampers that absorb vibrations approaching the cabin. Thirdly, dual airbags and ABS (antilock braking system) with EBD sensors add to the feel of comfort and security which are the most important parameters for evaluating any cars performance.

We drove the car in the heart of the city so a test drive at high speeds was not in the cards. We only managed to shift between the first and third gears. The ride was smooth. I particularly liked the low-lying dash which enabled me to sit back comfortably in the seat and steer without having to lean or stretch at all.

The interiors and front panel were simple yet impressive for an entry level sedan. I checked the audio system before I started the car and besides the absence of a USB port, nothing else was lacking.

In a highly competitive segment, the 1.6 Fiesta is a powerful machine and better priced than its main counterpart – Chevrolet’s Aveo. It is also slightly heavier than the others which would perhaps result in a more sturdy drive. Giving a mileage of over 11 kilometers per liter makes the Fiesta not only a powerful and fun ride but also a fairly economical car to own too.

Tech Specs

Features

Competition All Specs

Conclusion

The new Ford Fiesta limited edition model is clearly more powerful than its competitors and boasts many interior additions to its previous lineup. It is priced at Rs. 7.50 lacs (ex-showroom, Mumbai). It is an ideal entry level sedan and is well accessorized for the price. However, the Limited Edition model is currently available in select cities only.

A great option for the budget conscious desiring a Sedan, we find the Fiesta’s styling superior to that of the Maruti Swift Dzire and boot space is equal as well. This car is likely to steal a large part of the Maruti Swift Dzire segment with its leaner look and more executive appeal. 

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