How does one take a well-loved motoring icon to the next level? Ford makes a great case with the new Ford Fiesta – which is making its official debut today in the Philippines – sporting new looks and smart technologies to help keep drivers connected.

The new Fiesta is poised to redefine the small car segment with its exciting new bold design, segment-leading fuel economy, class-leading safety features and all-new smart technologies, including Ford SYNC.

The new Fiesta is powered by two powertrain options: the global 1.5L twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) engine, and the award-winning 1.0L EcoBoost engine available later in the year.

Eight new Fiesta variants will feature the 1.5L Ti-VCT engine, in both automatic and manual transmissions, and will be available at Ford showrooms nationwide starting in August at the following pricing:

• New Fiesta 1.5L Ti-VCT Sport 5-door and Titanium 4-door: PhP 868,000
• New Fiesta 1.5L Ti-VCT Trend 5-door and 4-door: PhP 798,000
• New Fiesta 1.5L Ti-VCT Trend 5-door and 4-door MT: PhP 748,000
• New Fiesta 1.5L Ti-VCT Ambiente 5-door and 4-door MT: PhP 698,000

The new 5-door Fiesta Sport+ with the 1.0L EcoBoost engine will be available to customers later in the year.


The new Fiesta is available in ten exciting colors, including Arctic White, Black Mica, Highlight Silver, Metropolitan Grey, Ice Blue, True Red, Aurora Blue, Chili Orange, Phantom Purple and Celestial Blue.

“Our aim with the new Ford Fiesta was to take a popular car that was already a segment leader in fuel efficiency, performance and personality, and make it even better,” said Kay Hart, managing director, Ford Philippines.

“Ford Fiesta continues to push the boundaries and seal its credentials as the small car that stands out from the competition.”


Creating a head turner

Designers worked on the exterior to make the new Ford Fiesta more refined while retaining the overall character that has made the car so successful.

The new Fiesta’s face is dominated by a trapezoidal front grille – a signature of Ford’s new global family – bracketed by laser-cut headlamps. The power-dome hood design adds to the changes, giving the car a more assertive and confident appearance. The designers paid special attention to the Ford badge, which is inlaid into the surface, showing pride and craftsmanship.

At the back, the tail lamps have been given more detail to be in harmony with the expressive head lamps. On the five-door hatchback, a new rear spoiler enhances the car’s sporty attitude, while the four-door sedan gets a new deck lid and bumper fascia. The chrome accent in the lower bumper fascia of the sedan further conveys visual width and a premium look.

Offered with 16-inch alloy wheels, the new Ford Fiesta also wears some new colors inspired by the world of fashion and sports, such as Celestial Blue which channels energy and vibrancy.


Contemporary and spacious interior

Inside, things are just as expressive. The mobile phone-inspired dashboard and leather steering wheel with audio controls amplify the modern interior and entice drivers to get in the car and on the move.

The new Ford Fiesta features a high-gloss finish for the upper instrument panel that flows to the lower centre console and is replicated in door panels. For those who prefer a light interior, the designers put in a two-tone instrument panel which creates visual space and roominess.

A satin-chrome detailing finish is offered along with Ford’s signature Ice Blue lighting to illuminate dials, switches and displays. They also ensured that surfaces and knobs convey quality at every touch.

New seat fabrics and designs are offered with full leather, partial leather, comfort fabric and sport fabric trims. Eye-catching patterns and textures including contrast stitching also add to the vibrant new interior ambience, while additional supporting bolsters improve comfort.


Small is smart

The new Ford Fiesta gives drivers the perfect blend of a connected world and an enjoyable driving experience. Technologies such as Ford SYNC were initially available only on some vehicles but Ford is making them accessible to more customers by introducing them across its vehicle line-up, including the new Fiesta.

Today’s smartphone users expect to have the same personalized, connected experience in their car that they have everywhere else. So, SYNC enables drivers to answer phone calls and select music from devices connected via Bluetooth or USB, and listen to text messages by simply using voice commands. This helps drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road at all times.
“New Ford Fiesta was built for the digital generation,” said Hart. “With SYNC, Bluetooth® connectivity and MP3 capabilities, the tech-savvy can be constantly plugged into their favourite music and connected to their world while on the go.”

In addition, Fiesta comes with an array of convenience features. With Smart Keyless Entry, customers no longer need their key to unlock the car or to start the engine. They can unlock the doors automatically by pulling the door handle; push the Ford Power Start button and go.


Fuel-efficient power

The new Ford Fiesta will be powered by the global 1.5L Ti-VCT four-cylinder engine at launch. It delivers 112 PS of power at 6,300 rpm and peak torque of 140 Nm at 4,400 rpm.

Ti-VCT technology allows extremely precise, variable control of “valve overlap” – the window of time in which both the intake and exhaust valves in an engine are open at the same time. For the driver, this means improved low-speed torque and increased fuel economy.

The 1.5L Ti-VCT engine can be paired with the efficient Ford PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission or the five-speed manual transmission. When paired with either gearbox, the Ford Fiesta returns identical fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions figures – 5.8 L/100km and 137 g/km.

Later in the year, the new Ford Fiesta will also be available with the patented 1.0L EcoBoost engine, which was recently named the 2013 International Engine of the Year, winning the award for the second consecutive year.

Offering Ford’s next generation of global engines, the EcoBoost engine combines direct injection of gasoline and turbocharging. The three-cylinder engine combines direct fuel injection, turbocharging and variable valve timing to produce 125 PS of power and 170 Nm of peak torque, rivaling the power and performance of a traditional 1.6L engine.

EcoBoost is the latest in Ford’s green technology commitment, which balances capability with environmental responsibility with an estimated fuel economy improvement by more than 30 percent

To help drivers improve their eco-driving skills, the Ford Fiesta features Ford EcoMode, which is a handy software application that measures the driver’s gear shifting where applicable, anticipation (driving as constant as possible) and speed. Those with fuel-efficient driving skills are rewarded with in-car kudos in the form of leaf icons displayed on the instrument cluster.

Even more fun to drive

Comfort has been improved while retaining the Ford Fiesta’s signature sporty handling. Shock absorber specifications have been tailored to improve ride quality. New front suspension bump-stops provide better cushioning performance over large bumps. The electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) has also been tuned to match the new suspension characteristics.

On top of its outstanding ride and handling qualities, the new Ford Fiesta has been designed to provide high levels of protection and driver support through a range of advanced features. About 55 percent of its body structure is made up of high-strength steel and ultra-high-strength steel, such as boron steel, making the Fiesta’s frame especially strong yet lightweight too.

The new Ford Fiesta continues to offer the most comprehensive safety package in its class, including airbags for the driver and front passenger as standard. It also features Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which helps customers remain in control of the car at all times, especially on slippery roads.

Further taking the stress out of driving, the Ford Fiesta comes with an array of driver-assist systems. Rear parking sensors keep drivers from backing into obstacles they cannot see. Hill Launch Assist helps drivers make a perfect hill start whether it’s uphill or downhill, by holding the car for up to three seconds on the slope.

The New Fiesta in the Philippines

“The Fiesta has been a key driver of the company’s success since its launch in 2010. We are confident that the new Fiesta will continue to attract even more new-to-Ford customers to our showrooms, with its unmatched combination of quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart technologies and head-turning looks,” said Hart.