Fiesta Zetec S

Hot on the heels of the stunning Focus RS, Ford has given yet another of its hatchbacks a sporty makeover! The Fiesta Zetec S will set the benchmark on the warm hatch market when it arrives in UK showrooms in October.

The Zetec S will initially sit at the top of the Fiesta range with its all-new 118bhp 1.6-litre Duratec Ti-VCT petrol engine. It will eventually be knocked off the top spot by the scorching new turbocharged Fiesta ST, which is scheduled for 2009.

Rather than being an all-out powerhouse, the 1.6-litre Duratec lump is designed to deliver a great mix of performance and economy. Power is up by 20bhp, 0-62mph is dealt with in 9.9 seconds, CO2 emissions are down to 139g/km and fuel economy is claimed to reach 47.9mpg on a combined cycle – all of these are notable improvements over the current 1.6-litre petrol-engined Fiesta.

It’s more than just a peppy engine, too. The Zetec S will be nimble too, as it weighs 40kg less than the previous Fiesta and is Ford’s first European car to feature its Electric Power Assist Steering system, which gives better assistance at low speeds and more feedback for the driver when the car is on the move.

It might not be quite as outlandish as its RS siblings, but the Zetec S will stand out from the hatchback crowd with its dynamic and edgy-looking body kit. Deeply-sculpted flanks, jagged side skirts and an aerodynamic splitter complete the aggressive look at the front, while the sporty look of the rear is completed with a whale-tail boot spoiler.

Both handling and safety will benefit from improved torsional rigidity, as all new Fiestas are to be ten per cent stiffer than their predecessors. The Fiesta will be less prone to body roll and much more resilient to impact too, with 55 per cent of the body structure fabricated from high-strength steel.

As well as the sporty Zetec S, Ford is boasting a whole new range of engines for the Fiesta. These will include a further three 16=-valve Duratec petrol engines in 59bhp 1.25-litre, 95bhp 1.4-litre and 99bhp 1.6-litre guise.

These is also a pair of Duratorq TDCi oil-burners on offer - an entry-level 1.4-litre and the super economical 1.6-litre Fiesta ECOnetic. Joining the existing Focus and Mondeo ECOnetic, the Fiesta will boast virtually 80mpg and will emit just 99g/km of CO2, which, under current regulations, will render it exempt from road tax and the congestion charge.

The blue oval is certainly clued-up when it comes to environmental concerns, as it claims that the new Fiesta range could potentially save over 11,000 tonnes of CO2 across Europe annually.

Keen to increase the Fiesta’s appeal in more ways than just economy and sportiness, Ford has also tapped into the fact that many of them end up as driving school cars, and has furnished all new Fiestas with Stall Prevention, which alters the engine’s ignition profile and increases the amount of torque available at low speeds.

The new Fiesta will be officially unveiled at this month’s UK motorshow and is sure to be one of the stars of Ford’s stand.