2009 Ford Fiesta

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2009-ford-fiesta-first-steer/

- David Twomey

The current Ford Fiesta is a good car, but the company and particularly its dealers have struggled with shedding the ‘Falcon Car Company’ image and making real inroads into sales in the light and small car segments.
With monthly sales of just under 500 units the Fiesta has not kicked the goals for Ford that it should have, but with a rejuvenated marketing team, led by recently appointed Vice-President of Sales and Market, Beth Donovan, a small car expert from the US, the company is now aiming to double that figure.



Not without reason either as in-house rival Mazda is currently selling about 900 Mazda2s a month, the Fiesta is built on the same platform, while Toyota has been pushing up to 2400 Yaris’ a month out the door.



Ford says the dramatic, eye-catching design of the new model is an extension of its acclaimed kinetic design language. Clean, sharp angular lines instantly differentiate the new model from its competitors, while a space age-like interior introduces an easy-to-master suite of operational controls.



To go with the fresh new look there is very competitive recommended retail pricing, starting at $15,750 for the CL model, $18,490 for the LX and $20,250 for the Zetec.

A 1.6-litre engine with manual transmission is standard across the range, while an automatic transmission, matched to a 1.4-litre engine, is available as an option on all models except the three-door Zetec.



The auto ‘box equipped cars weren’t available for the media to drive at the launch, due to supply delays, and in fact Ford says the 1.4-litre automatic won’t be in dealers until February next year.





The 1.6-litre engine with manual transmission delivers 88kW of power at 6000rpm and 152Nm of torque at 4050rpm. Fuel consumption is a frugal 6.1L/100km and carbon emissions are contained to 143g/km.



The slightly smaller 1.4-litre engine mated to the automatic transmission generates 71kW of power at 5750rpm and 128Nm of torque at 4200rpm. Fuel consumption is 6.9L/100km, carbon emissions are 164g/km, and all Fiestas are Ethanol-10 compatible.

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