Fiesta Petrol Review: Ford has always been very considerate with the Fiesta’s (now Fiesta Classic) styling. It was styled such that none would hate it even if it didn’t find any lovers. To a certain extent that was very defensive on Ford’s part, may be to gain our confidence. Now that Ford has regained momentum in the industry thanks to the Figo’s golden run, Ford has finally decided to go the aggressive way and launch the all new Fiesta Global. The fact that I mention ‘Global’ here is that the new Fiesta that Ford has launched in India is a worldwide vehicle and not country specific.
Ford Fiesta Petrol Review
Ford Fiesta Petrol Introduction:
What it means in its true sense is that number one, Ford sees India on a worldwide platform and believes in our buyers and number two, we get the features and the quality that Ford offers everywhere else in the World. So, how far does the Fiesta Global take the Ford badge is for us to see as we lay our hands on the petrol variant of the new Ford Fiesta.
The all new Fiesta is indeed a very stylish vehicle. Be it the interiors or exteriors, it has that X factor that can turn heads.
Ford Fiesta Petrol Exteriors:
Ford has gone flat out with a bold exterior on the front with the big Ford logo and the massive trapezoidal air dam that sets the pulses rising from the word GO. Add to it the very stylish front headlamps that stretch all the way to the middle of the front fenders highlighting the kinetic design philosophy of Ford. Chrome treatment on the fog lamps ensures Ford’s dedication to keep in mind the oomph quotient of the car. The kinetic design flows from the front to the rear with some bold lines and sleek side profile that accentuates a moving vehicle look even when at rest. Firstly there’s the big front fender from where the shoulder line begins that moves all the way upwards towards the rear door and ends close to the tail lamps. The fact that this line keeps on getting sleeker till it reaches the end displays the motion in stationary vehicle. Apart from this, the other noticeable fact was the treatment of the quarter glass at the front. Not that this is the only vehicle that excludes the quarter glass from the door, but the fact that the door extends up to the centre of the quarter glass gives it a remarkable shape. The rear though gets a little boring compared to the front with the wraparound tail lamps. The looks like truncated, although the in built spoiler tries to up the style quotient but fails to make the rear look ample. The front of the car is ecstatic showering its styling sideways but the rear is a big turn off.
Ford Fiesta Petrol Interiors:
The interiors, it seems have been designed by the person who managed the front look of the car. They are quite appealing and almost catch everyone’s attention instantly. Well put together and good quality interiors set the mood and are very inviting. The fact that there’s nothing beige here makes the car look sporty and fresh. Silver accents and black-grey combination of a very good quality plastic screams posh. The multi-function phone inspired dashboard is an instant hit with everybody. It might look a little complex for some, but that complexity for me urges me to remain glued to the car. No, it’s not at all tough to operate and is very intuitive. Controls fall at hand easily with time.
The instrument cluster is yet another form of art making way in the all new Ford Fiesta. The shape of the dials, the lighting, the digits, the trip computer and the steering controls makes the driver fall in love instantly. One thing I’d love to mention here is that the Fiesta makes you feel like a celebrity from inside. As soon as the car is unlocked the magic that the lights (foot-well lamps) under the dashboard create is of another world. The treatment of the interiors makes one feel that this is a special car, but then the exteriors fail to caste the same impression. The seats on the inside are plush though I felt Ford should have incorporated lumbar support on driver’s seat as it might take a toll on certain backs. Nevertheless, the contouring on the seats is brilliant and they are a delight to rest upon. The quality of plastic needs a special mention as everywhere in the car, from the door locks to the audio system it is superb. The interiors are love-at-first-sight and that love continues and increases with time.
Ford Fiesta Petrol Model & Features:
We tested the all new Ford Fiesta Petrol which is available in four models codenamed the Ford Fiesta 1.5P Style, 1.5P Trend, 1.5P Titanium and 1.5P Titanium+. All the four variants are presented to be highly safe. Hence, Ford has made all the safety features standard on all models. The various safety features incorporated include ABS with EBD, Driver side airbag, Front Passenger Airbag, Door Reinforcements, Remote programmable Key Entry with greeting Lamps, Child Lock and Engine immobilizer.
The Style model includes various other features like Tilt Adjustable steering, Front and rear power windows with One touch on driver side, Rear Defogger, Follow me home headlamps, Foldable rear seats, Height Adjustable driver’s seat and seatbelts, Electric Boot release and electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs. Turn Indicators on ORVMs, Digital Tripmeter, Low fuel warning, Driver Seat belt warning, Headlamp on warning and Door Ajar warning.
In addition to all the features of the Style model, the Trend model includes Fog Lamps, Alloy Wheels and Foot-well Lamps.
The Titanium model furthermore includes features like Chrome Beltliner, Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel with Metallic Painted Sterling Bezel, Metallic finish Instrument cluster and gear knob, electrically foldable ORVMs, Digital Clock, Voice Control, Distance to Empty and Fuel Computer.
The top model Titanium+ gets Cruise Control and Rear Parking Sensors in addition to all the features present in Titanium model.
With the new Fiesta, Ford has unveiled their Global offering in India. The issue with the Fiesta Classic was lack of equipment and Ford has definitely resolved it and the Fiesta now gets world class features like the Voice Control (reacts too slow and gets confused while dialing numbers) and Cruise Control.
Ford Fiesta Petrol Engine & Transmission:
The new Ford Fiesta Petrol gets 1499cc 4-Cylinder Engine producing 109 PS power at staggering 6045RPM and 140Nm of torque at 4500RPM. The transmission is 5-speed Manual Transmission.
The engine feels powerful when revved and is good for cruising. The nature of engine isn’t electric and the power surge is gradual than instantaneous, very unlike the engines these days. At first, this becomes hard to understand why the engine feels unresponsive, but gradually one understands the fact that the car is so stable and silent, that the hard work that engine undergoes remains un-noticed. The Fiesta is an absolute delight to drive, whether it be its dynamics, transmission shifts or braking. The transmission is smooth and refined. The engine delivers almost 12kmpl in the city runs and goes up to 18-19kmpl on highways. The noise insulation inside the car is exceptional and almost nothing filters inside. The engine feels a little underpowered in the first two gears until it gains some momentum.
Ford Fiesta Petrol Ride & Handling:
The handling of the marquee Fiesta has been hallmark since times immemorial. The tradition rich Fiesta continues the same legacy. The steering responds superbly at all speeds, light at slow and adequately heavy at high. The handling is precise thanks to the EPAS with Pull Drift Compensation Technology of the steering wheel.
The Fiesta runs on Independent McPherson Strut with Coil Spring and anti roll bar at front and Semi-independent twist beam with twin shock absorbers with gas and oil at the rear. The suspension setup is perfect for Indian conditions dealing with potholes and undulations with zest. The ride is firm yet not too hard keeping in mind the Fiesta’s tradition. Overall, the Fiesta is a handler and rides well.
The Fiesta decelerates with Ventilated Discs at the front and Self adjusting drums at the rear. The braking is great and the car remains stable even under emergency braking as ABS with EBD come into play.
Ford Fiesta Petrol Pricing:
The base model (1.5P Style) is priced at 8.23 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi, the Trend is priced at 8.77 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi, the 1.5P Titanium at 9.17 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi and the Titanium+ at 9.42 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi.
With such pricing the on road price of the Fiesta falls within 9.00-10.50 lakhs in Delhi which might seem a little on the higher side considering this being the petrol variant.
Ford Fiesta Petrol Test Drive Conclusion:
The new Ford Fiesta is a driver’s car packed with some great goodies and groundbreaking technologies that are segment first. However Ford doesn’t enjoy high ratings on customer satisfaction, though the perception is changing as Ford gets some loyal consumers with the Figo. The Fiesta is a great car on its own, easily one of the best in terms of quality, features, cabin noise, ride and handling, but is priced a little high for it to make a deep impact in the segment.
The Ford Fiesta is a 5/5 candidate if the car as a singular entity is concerned. The class, the interiors and the car’s overall ambience is enthralling and can encapsulate anyone sitting inside for a moment to an extent that one can end up buying the car just for the way it treats you. Technologically too, there are things like the Voice Control and Cruise control that are segment first. But then the pricing spoils the party somewhat with an added uncertainty of Ford’s after sales servicing that brings the overall ratings down to 4/5.
All New Fiesta Petrol Test Drive Pictures:
1 Comments
[...] will also launch many more models in the automatic versions in India. We have already tested the All New Fiesta Petrol Manual variant [...]