Cars Blog: Ford

Ford Fiesta

If you’ve not seen Ford’s B-segment contender in the metal before, a nice red-coloured hatchback body example is currently on display in Blue Concourse, Sunway Pyramid new wing this weekend starting from today. Sime Darby Auto ConneXion has also unveiled the preliminary specifications for the Fiesta 1.6 liter Sport model:

1.6 liter Ti-VCT engine producing 120 PS at 6,500rpm and 152Nm of torque at 4,500rpm.

6-speed automatic Ford Powershift twin clutch transmission

Dual SRS airbags

Electronic Stability Programme with Traction Control (ESP)

ABS brakes with EBD

Sports suspension

16 inch alloy wheels

Foglamps, rear spoiler, both sedan and hatchback bodies

Electric Power Steering

Audio system with USB connectivity

Fabric seats

The specs list sounds really impressive, as most B-segment cars don’t even have ESP stability control as an option worldwide! The Fiesta’s available option list has benefited from it being a mainstream player in Europe, where safety features such as a good amount of airbags as well as stability control are a must have to gain public acceptance. But in the end it’s up to the Sime Darby product planners to tick the relevant boxes and it looks like they did! It’s very good to hear that finally a mainstream B-segment vehicle will be available here with ESP.

The preview leaflet that’s being handed out during the Fiesta preview at Sunway Pyramid (you can find a copy after the jump) also indicates the availabiity of a 1.4 liter Duratec with a 5-speed manual, but no specs available for that model. What I’m most curious about is how much the new Fiesta models will be priced at, and how will it compare both price and specifications wise with its ’sibling’, the Mazda 2.

With the 6-speed Powershift twin clutch transmission, the Fiesta already has an edge over the Mazda 2 which makes do with a regular automatic transmission. The Fiesta’s engines are also larger and more powerful than the Mazda 2’s – we’re taking about a 1.4 and a 1.6 for the Fiesta versus a 1.3 and a 1.5 for the Mazda 2.

It’s definitely a very exciting year for the Ford brand in Malaysia, which will soon have a fresh and new line-up consisting of cars like this new Fiesta, both diesel-powered and regular petrol Focus, the Ford Mondeo and the Ford S-MAX MPV!