Ford Fiesta set to return? Icon could be reborn with a little help from Volkswagen
The Ford Fiesta could be coming back from the dead, and our exclusive image previews how it might look
The iconic Ford Fiesta nameplate could rise from the ashes with help from Volkswagen, with the two brands said to be exploring new projects after a “very successful” first endeavour.
The final Ford Fiesta rolled off the production line in Cologne, Germany, in July 2023, significantly altering the automotive landscape in the process. But the success of the deal that let the Ford Explorer and Capri models use the underpinnings of VW’s ID.4 and ID.5 means a surprise return could be on the cards.
While nothing is yet confirmed, Volkswagen’s head of sales and marketing, Martin Sander, exclusively told Auto Express that he considered Ford and VW’s original electric-car tie-up to be “very, very, very successful” and that he did “not want to rule out that there are future opportunities here to share technology again”.
The statement from ex-Ford of Europe man Sander could therefore open up the possibility of a new breed of Ford-badged small cars and superminis, based on the shortened MEB Entry platform set to underpin the ID.1 and ID.2. Doing so could see the reborn electric Fiesta feature up to 280 miles of range and DC fast-charging speeds of 125kW.
Ford and Volkswagen partnership
The initial agreement Volkswagen came to with Ford was, according to Sander, “an opportunity for [VW] to scale even more than we can, on the basis of the size of our business” – something that could, in theory, be repeated with a second round of smaller, more efficient family cars.
Ford is heading into a potentially pivotal period as it plots its European future; the Puma remains a big seller, yet with a starting price of more than £26,500 it’s not the affordable entry-point it once was. But as the maker has hinted previously – first by removing the Fiesta and soon the Focus from sale – it has become increasingly difficult to make money on city cars and traditional family hatchbacks.
While Ford refused to confirm whether talks were on the horizon, it said: “[Ford] is confident in its ability to compete in the right segments” – implying it’d keep an eye on market trends and invest as appropriate.
Of course, if such a model did see the light of day, its proportions would likely mirror that of the production-ready ID.2 – reflected here in our exclusive image. The outgoing Fiesta was 4,068mm long; just 18mm longer than the ID.2all concept. The VW’s wider stance and low-mounted battery should give the Fiesta that typical dynamic character present in all modern-day Fords.
New Ford Fiesta design
Design-wise, expect a clean, blanked off front end and a sharp LED daytime running-light signature – possibly including a full-width light bar. Aero wheels are all but a given, increasing in size for the inevitable ST-Line versions that will join the range later. We don’t expect Ford (or Volkswagen) to offer a three-door bodystyle; both cars will be five-door only.
The firm dismissed the idea of putting a Fiesta-shaped top-hat on its new Puma Gen-E running gear, suggesting the already tight margins would be all but eroded – especially when throwing third-party suppliers into the mix.
It’s worth noting that Ford also has its California-based Skunkworks team, which has been tasked with developing a ‘new affordable electric vehicle platform’ referenced in communications made public last summer. However, the project appears, at least initially, to be focusing on ‘a medium-sized pick-up’ – hinting anything as small as a Fiesta may prove a stretch too far.
We should get clarity on Ford’s passenger-car line-up and future EV strategy in the coming months. In August, the maker said it would “provide an update on electrification, technology, profitability and capital requirements in the first half of 2025”.
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