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Ford's class leader gives another lesson to rivals
publication date: May 1, 2009
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author/source: David Miles
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Despite the economic climate which has seen new passenger
car sales fall by 30.5pc and commercial vehicles by
44.3pc for
the first quarter of 2009, Ford still leads both the car and CV markets for
registrations in the UK.
In March Ford's share of the UK's commercial vehicle market
was the highest for eight years at 28.8pc.
The new Fiesta is the top selling passenger car in this
country and the new Fiesta van, which went on sale in March, will take 25pc of all
car derived van sales in the UK to make it market leader with around 3,000
registrations expected this year. The Fiesta Van is built on the same Cologne
production lines as the Fiesta hatchbacks.
Prices for the new Fiesta van range from £9,757 to £12,037,
excluding Vat, but including delivery charges, one year's road fund licence,
the DVLC first registration fee and number plates.
There is the choice of 1.25, 82PS petrol and 1.4 TDCi 68PS
and 1.6 TDCi 90PS diesel engine options with Base, Trend and SportVan trim and
equipment levels, depending on which engine is chosen. Insurance groups of 1E
and 2E keep running costs at a minimum.
Ford say the 1.4-litre TDCi engine with Trend specification
will be the single most popular model. Around 90pc of
Fiesta Van sales will be diesel versions and 90pc of
registrations will be to business users.
Steve Kimber, Ford of Britain's commercial vehicles
director, said: "Fiesta Van is a main player in the car-derived van market
and we expect to build on this as more and more of today's businesses look to
keep their costs under control.
"The Van model was an integral part of the new Fiesta
product plan and its superior quality really shows. Being competitive has never
been more relevant and that's why Fiesta Van, with the range-topping SportVan,
is a great addition to our 2009 line-up."
| | FIRST
IMPRESSIONS | ©David Miles | Keeping up high profile appearances in a very competitive
business market with stylish vehicles, but keeping operating running costs low,
are the two main sales driving points for the Fiesta Van.
You can also add in a
competitive purchase price, the excellent driving characteristics and compact
size which make it easy to park.
The fuel efficiency of the Fiesta Van is best in class: the
1.25-litre petrol engine has combined fuel consumption of 49.6mpg and CO2
emissions of 133g/km.
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Both diesel engines have a combined fuel consumption of
67.3mpg and CO2 emissions of just 110g/km.
The new Trend specification is likely to be the best selling
model and will widen the appeal of the Fiesta Van range. It is ideal for
image-conscious businesses who may be delivering small packages, transporting
compact equipment, or for the site engineer who does not need a large capacity
for tools, or perhaps IT technicians.
A payload range from 490kg to 515kg gives customers a competitive option
for transporting their products. From the three-door Fiesta hatchback the rear
side windows are replaced by body-coloured solid panels, and the rear passenger
seats are removed to provide a load box area of 1,000 cubic litres, with a
maximum useable load length of 1,296mm, as well as a maximum load box width of
1,278mm (1,000mm between the wheel arches) and a height of up to 806mm. A
half-height composite bulkhead and DIN-compliant tie-down hooks are standard.
New Fiesta Van is equipped with Ford's EasyFuel capless refuelling
system which is clean and easy to use and also has a miss-fuel inhibitor that
prevents the wrong fuel filler nozzle being inserted. This feature is a major
benefit to commercial customers, particularly for mixed fleets and vehicles
that are used by multiple drivers.
This new model also inherits the best technologies and features from its
car cousin including: a chassis designed for a safe and controllable ride under
all loading conditions, the new electric power assisted steering for steering
accuracy and lower fuel consumption, and anti-lock brakes including electronic
brakeforce distribution. ESP electronic stability programme is available as an
option with all engines (standard on SportVan) and includes emergency brake
assist.
During a brief first-taste of the new Fiesta Van I tried the
1.4 TDCi 68PS Trend version around some busy main roads and traffic congested
town streets and it is evident it just as good at its job as the Fiesta
hatchback. The handling is taught and nimble,
it is easy to park and the engine gives more than enough performance to charge
away from the traffic lights or happily cruise at the legal maximum on
motorways. Beware Fiesta Man!
Just because it's a commercial vehicle Fiesta Van does not
mean basic. Standard specification includes EasyFuel capless refueling, three engine options, body
colour roof spoiler, electric door mirrors, stereo radio CD, MP3 connection,
four front speakers, steering wheel mounted controls, adjustable steering
column and electric front windows. The
Trend version I tested has in addition, front
fog lights, body-coloured power folding heated door mirrors, automatic wipers
and headlamps, auto dimming rear view mirror, trip computer, driver's seat
lumbar support and heated windscreen.
Perhaps the
sound deadening isn't as efficient as the Fiesta hatchbacks but otherwise the
vehicles are identical for performance.
Now also being a van doesn't make the new Fiesta any less impressive.
MILESTONES.
| Ford Fiesta Van
1.4 TDCi 68PS Trend, price excluding Vat but including delivery and on the
road charges £10,342.
Engine/transmission:
1.4-litre, four cylinder, turbodiesel, 68PS, 118lb ft of torque, 5-speed
manual. Performance: 101mph, 0-62mph 14.9 seconds, 67.3mpg, CO2 110g/km.
Insurance
group: 1E.
Load area dimensions: Length 1,278mm, width 1,278mm (between
wheelarches 1,000mm), height 806mm, payload 490-515kg, load capacity 1,000
litres.
For: Styling, built alongside Fiesta hatchbacks,
high specification, low running costs, drives like a Fiesta hatch.
Against:
Nothing unless size matters. |  |
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