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Fiesta Econectic rewrites the rule-book
publication date: Feb 7, 2009
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author/source: David Miles
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Despite the continued steep fall in
all new car sales in 2009 Ford has increased the retail prices of their new
cars by an average 4.7pc.
They
say this is due to the fall in sterling against the euro as the vast majority
of cars they sell in the UK are manufactured in mainland Europe. Vauxhall and
Audi are just two of the others who are raising prices.
Ford's
new prices arrive just at launch time for the new ‘supermini' sized Fiesta ECOnetic
low CO2 models and the new Ka range of sub B segment three-door
hatchbacks.
Ka
prices range from £7,945 to £10,145 but Fiesta model prices now start at £9,195,
an increase of £681.
Ford
sold fewer new cars in the UK last year showing a 7.58pc fall against 2007. The
new car market was down by 11.3pc overall but Ford did however achieve an
increase in their share of the overall market, up from 14.5pc to 15.1pc with
322,514 new cars registered.
The
Ford Focus remained the UK's best selling car ahead of the Vauxhall Corsa with
the Fiesta in its run-out year, before the new range was introduced in October,
achieving 94,989 sales to finish in third place in the top ten sales chart. For
the month of December the new Fiesta was the UK's best selling car.
Launching
the latest additions to the Fiesta range, the 1.6 TDCi diesel three and
five-door ECOnetic variants, David Cross, Ford of Britain small car product
specialist, said the company expected to sell around 100,000 Fiestas in the UK
in 2009 despite the ongoing fall in new car sales. He added the new ECOnetic models should
achieve between 5 and 7pc of total Fiesta sales and they have over 500 Fiesta ECOnetics
already ordered by UK customers.
The
1.6 Fiesta ECOnetic TDCi 3-door model costs £12,445 and the 5-door version
£12,945. With CO2
With
ECOnetic versions of the Mondeo, Focus, now the Fiesta and soon the Ka, Ford
will have a total of 51 models emitting under 120g/km of CO2.
FIRST
IMPRESSIONS
Ford says independent analysts,
Cleangreencars.co.uk, has confirmed the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic is the UK's
greenest family car.
What
that means by ‘family car', is the Fiesta ECOnetic is the cleanest five-door on
the market. This model is priced at
£12,945 whilst the three-door costs £500 less and both with their low 98g/km CO2
rating are free of road tax charges.
The
ECOnetic models are based on the conventional Fiesta Style+ three and five-door
versions available with 1.25, 1.4 petrol and 1.4 TDCi diesel engine options
with prices for manual transmission models ranging from £10,895 to £12,495 Their emissions are 133g/km for the petrol
1.25/1.4 versions incurring a road tax bill of £120 whilst the 1.4 TDCi diesel
engine produces 110g/km meaning VED is £35.
However
ECOnetic models have significant changes over the conventional Style+ versions.
First they have a larger and more torquey1.6-litre TDCi engine, 90PS (89bhp)
and 150lb ft of pulling power and the engine has been recalibrated to make it
cleaner and more fuel efficient.
Officially
both three and five-door models will return 76.3mpg in the combined cycle. My five-door test car returned a relatively
good 54.9mpg being driven with two up on the busy M25 and traffic congested
roads around Watford. Fairly typical real-life motoring I would say. The benefit of the free road tax is another
cost saving.
The
ECOnetic models also receive aerodynamic rear air deflectors to smooth the flow
of air over the car and to reduce the vacuum it leaves behind, a higher final
drive ratio for long-legged fuel saving on the open road, the suspension is
lowered by 10mm to lower drag
resistance, low rolling resistance tyres on steel 14-inch wheels, low friction
oil in the engine/transmission, a green shift indicator light tells the driver
when to change gear using the 5-speed gearbox for maximum fuel efficiency and
the engine compartment has an undershield - again to smooth airflow.
As
Ford says the ECOnetic models are based on Style+ specification and customers
receive as standard electrically operated front windows and door mirrors, a height adjustable driver' seat and height
and reach adjustable steering column, anti-lock braking, heated windscreen and
air conditioning.
The
ECOnetic changes have not really harmed the new Fiesta's performance or
appearance. The interior is smart with an easy to use facia and controls, the
larger diesel engine makes best use of the long legged gearing, the five-speed
gearchange is slick and the quiet engine pulls well above 1,800rpm. The lowered
suspension gives a firmer ride than the standard one which can upset the ride
over our poor urban roads.
The
Fiesta is inherently such a good car the ‘green tweaks' have not really spoiled
the overall package. But for a few extra miles per gallon and the saving of
some road tax means a calculator is needed to work out if the higher £1,000
price over a good 1.25 Zetec 5-door petrol model is worth it. For most retail Fiesta buyers, 70pc of
customers, probably not unless their decision to be a greener motorists is high
on their personal agenda.
MILESTONES.
Ford
Fiesta ECOnetic 1.6 TDCi 5-Door £12,945.
Engine:
1.6-litre, four cylinder common rail turbodiesel, 90PS (89bhp), 115lb ft of
torque.
Performance:
111mph, 0-62mph 12.3 seconds, 76.3mpg,( 54.9mpg actual), CO2 98g/km
VED Band A no cost, BIK tax 13pc. Insurance group: 4.
For: Green credentials, low CO2 so no road tax,
good to drive.
Against:
Costly over standard Fiesta versions, firm ride.
©DAVID
MILES
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