Fiesta's Going Up In The World

By Dan Strong

01st June 2005

As a result, bosses will ensure the supermini goes on sale a full six months prior to these machines, building the Fiesta's popularity before the opposition is ready to make a move.

Our sources have revealed that exterior changes will be limited to subtle improvements at the front and rear. Both three and five-door machines will get the facelift, which adds redesigned headlamps and more aggressive bumper styling to give the car greater road presence. At the back, revised tail-lamps and a new-look hatchback, complete with remote opening, will provide the model with an upmarket, user-friendly feel. Fresh sideskirts and alloy wheels complete the changes.

It's inside that the biggest alterations will be made, though. With the current Fiesta criticised for its basic design and cheap materials, the newcomer will draw heavily on the impressive interior of the acclaimed Focus, and offer enhanced practicality and more luxury. As well as a new centre console, revised switchgear and improved instrument display, the car will get technology such as sat-nav and a Bluetooth-compatible communication system. New trim levels will also be on offer. Entry-level Studio cars will be joined by Sport models for the first time, while at the very top of the range, the firm will add its Titanium specification. To improve the driving experience, suspension settings are likely to be fine-tuned. Although the basic McPherson strut set-up will remain, Ford engineers are working to improve the car's ride refinement and body control further. The only exception to this will be the recently launched ST - its handling will be left untouched as it represents the very latest thinking from the manufacturer's performance division.

The engine range is set to stay the same - so buyers will still be able to choose from the 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol powerplants, as well as the 1.4 and 1.6-litre diesels, which are available with the existing version.

Exactly how the improvements will affect the slow-selling Fusion is unclear, though. The car shares a large number of components with the Fiesta, so it's likely to benefit from a similar cosmetic refresh as well as a more upmarket interior.

The change gives Ford an opportunity to boost the Fusion's practicality, which has been eclipsed by versatile class rivals such as the Honda Jazz and Vauxhall Meriva. However, according to our sources, there's no indication yet that the Fusion's basic seating system will be improved - at the moment, the car's rear chairs don't even fold to create a totally flat load space.

Prices for the new range have yet to be confirmed, but given the raft of improvements being made by the blue oval, an increase of around ΂£500 on the cost of entry-level machines is likely. This would see the revised Fiesta line-up starting from about ΂£8,750.

See exclusive spy images of the new Fiesta in this week's magazine.