Ford Fiesta Euro NCAP 4 stars
Is there anyone out there who hasnt owned or doesnt know anyone that hasnt owned a Fiesta? This ever popular little car seems to have been top of the pops for time immemorial.
Whilst the competition in this market has intensified the Fiesta remains one of the best superminis around. It feels solidly built and provides excellent grip and handling, justifiably retaining its no nonsense cost effective motoring tag. This ever popular car is an
extremely competent all- round package, with good fuel economy and low running costs whats more its fun to drive!
Theres a huge choice of models to select from, with petrol engines starting with a 73bhp 1.25-litre, through 1.4 and 1.6 litre variants, to a feisty 2.0-litre capable of 0 to 60 mph in under 8 seconds. Diesel 1.4 and 1.6 versions are also available.
With its VED B banding and superb combined fuel consumption figure of 64.2mpg the Fiesta 1.6 Duratorq will be particularly appealing to anyone with a frugal wallet and a green conscience. To top it all, for those people living or travelling within the London congestion charging zone (with CO2 emissions of only 116g/km) this cost conscious little car could save you £100s of
per annum as its exempt from the charge!
There are a bewildering nine trim levels to choose from - Studio, Style, Style Climate, Silver, freedom, Zetec Climate, Ghia, Zetec S and ST phew! As if this wasnt enough there is also currently a Zetec S 30th anniversary edition! Needless to say there is a huge
array and variation of equipment on offer across this range that should cater for all needs.
Safety is high on the Fiesta list with a variety of equipment and options available across the range. Dual front airbags and ABS with electronic brake force distribution are standard on every car. Euro NCAP awarded the Fiesta a 4 Star safety rating. The Fiesta came joint top of its class in the WhatCar? 2003 Security Supertest; whos testers could not break in within the allotted two minutes. All models have deadlocks an immobiliser, plus marked parts. Ghia and
Zetec S have an alarm.
Every new Ford car sold is protected by a 3 year/60,000 miles Ford Protect Classic Plan Warranty. In addition, it will also come with Ford Assistance for 1 year, providing roadside assistance in the UK and throughout Europe.
About the manufacturer
Ford has been at the forefront of Alternative Fuel Vehicle research and technology for the past 40 years They market more vehicles that run on a wider range of alternative fuels (including Compressed Natural Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, methanol, ethanol and electricity) than any other manufacturer.
As part of their environmental commitment, Ford have developed a complete vehicle recycling programme, encompassing design-for-recycling guidelines, increased use of recycled material, and reducing hazardous materials.
Since 2000 Ford have cut Co2 emissions at its plants and facilities by 15 percent and are targeting further reductions. At its main plant in Michigan they have built the world's largest ecologically inspired living roofabout 500,000 square feet!
Fords hybrid vehicles help save money, fuel and of course the environment. Ford does however accept that emissions are still released when hybrids are built. So, in 2007 they are going a step further by piloting a carbon offset program for hybrids. This program will fund clean-energy projects, such as wind energy, to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the same amount required to build its hybrids.
Ford Motor Company's Onboard Reductant Delivery system received an R&D 100 Award (an Oscar for Inventions" - from R&D Magazine) which recognizes the top new inventions in the US. Past winners include such items as the ATM, anti-lock braking systems, and the fax machine. The ORD system enables exhaust treatment systems to help meet stringent future diesel
emissions standards worldwide, including European Stage IV and V limits for smog-forming emissions. The ORD system can be easily retrofitted onto existing diesel vehicles for approximately one-tenth of the cost of existing retrofit systems.
Ford is investing billions to develop technologies to reduce Co2 emissions from new cars and trucks. It is also committed, amongst other things, to recycling more vehicle components, using more green materials and effectively managing waste to benefit the planet. However it doesnt stop there the company also supports a number of indirect initiatives;
The Wildlife Habitat Council and Ford Motor Company have created "Wildlife at Work" at Ford facilities in the US, England, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico, which encourages communities to create wildlife sites and educational programs on the importance of preserving endangered species.
Conservation International is a field-based, non-profit
organization that protects those spectacular areas in which life is most abundant, and helps the people who live there improve their quality of life. Ford has committed over $5 million to CI's conservation efforts in Mexico and Brazil.
Through its Greener Miles Program Ford have developed a partnership with TerraPass, under which you can calculate the amount of CO2 your vehicle emits, then purchase a TerraPass that funds projects to reduce CO2 emissions elsewhere by the same amount. Know as Carbon offsets these projects include
development of cleaner renewable energy sources such as wind energy or making power from dairy farm manure.