Ford Fiesta

Ford's main objective with the new Fiesta was to provide more space and style, without sacrificing manoeuvrability and economy. “It’s difficult to enjoy a small car if you and your passengers aren't comfortable,” said Martin Leach, Ford of Europe’s vice president of product development, “so it was imperative to pack a lot of space into a shape that is still small on the outside – to create spaciousness for all five occupants and their cargo.  We’ve packaged Fiesta for sharing with family and friends.  That’s where the spirit of sociability and fun really happens.”

So, how can Fiesta offer class-leading rear-seat knee room, head room so generous that hats can make a fashion comeback, and a cargo area that’s nearly 40 litres larger than the segment average – and yet still retain its small-car character for great manoeuvrability and parking ease? The new Fiesta is the story of achieving package efficiency.  Getting the most inside from the shape that is outside.

Ford engineers pushed Fiesta’s wheels even further to the corners of the vehicle, giving it the biggest footprint in its segment without being the biggest vehicle.  The wheelbase is 41 mm longer than before, which helped give rear-seat occupants much-needed knee room.  The new Fiesta is also wider and taller than the current model, for extra spaciousness for both occupants and their cargo.

“We discovered that the simplest way to engineer enjoyment is to find innovative ways to eliminate the frustrations about owning a small car,” said Jeremy Main, the chief programme engineer for Ford small cars.  “That understanding helped us achieve the package efficiency that allows Fiesta to do what many other small cars cannot.”

“With new Fiesta, we’ve distilled the design cues that are central to every new European Ford car to their very essence,” said Chris Bird, Ford’s director of European design.

“In a simpler, harmonious way, the new Fiesta design clearly signals its package efficiency, its strong driving quality credentials and that special zest for life.” Under Bird’s direction, a team led by chief designer Mark Adams created a stylish, taut skin to wrap around Fiesta’s new interior package while expressing energy and agility.  The vibrant design signals the spaciousness inside by putting emphasis on the cabin area.  The bonnet is short, the glass area is generous and extended with a new third window on the side, giving rear passengers a light and roomy environment.

Pronounced geometric wheel arches, filled with Fiesta’s standard 14-inch wheels and tyres, communicate the dynamic capabilities of the vehicle along with a distinctive bodyside feature line that dives downward dynamically from the rear of the vehicle all the way to the front.

“The new Fiesta has a dynamic visual quality that creates a sense of movement and emotion,” said chief designer Adams.  “It invites you and your passengers to have fun.”
Creating a friendly face was also important.  Fiesta’s new face is engaging, appealing to the heart as well as the head. 

The front of the vehicle is dominated by large, expressive headlamps that signal technical competence by showing every working detail.  The headlamps contain all of the primary lighting functions, including the turn indicator lamp at the top, inside sculptured composite lenses.

Fiesta’s front design is characterised by the arc-shaped grille opening that is now characteristic of the Ford family.  The lower grille features an inverted trapezoid shape that further emphasises Fiesta’s wide track and 'planted' stance and provides a mounting point for integral fog lamps at the very front corners on models so equipped. 

Strong outward visibility enables the driver to enjoy true small-car manoeuvrability.  Raised feature lines on the edges of the bonnet allow even small-stature drivers to see the vehicle's corners, an important driver-confidence factor in urban driving and tight manoeuvres such as parking.  A low belt line has also been styled for optimal side visibility and impression of openness.

At the rear, a large glass area continues to provide strong outward visibility and large, high-mounted tail lamps provide clear, safe indication for following drivers.  Another Ford design cue, the high-mounted lamp units contain most rear lighting functions of the new Fiesta so that only the reflectors are neatly fitted into the bumper.