So a British filmmaker who embraced Mumbai has swept the stakes at the film awards. millionaire has racked up a staggering eight Oscars, seven BAFTAs and four Golden Globes. All from Danny Boyle, the man who introduced us to the induced heroine Ewan McGregor of train sighting in the mid nineties. Still to this day there are no trains. It is safe to say that if any car is the equivalent of millionaire in terms of prizes it would be the new Ford Fiesta, which since its launch in October 2008 has had a trunk full of gongs and accolades.
Having sold 12 million Fiestas worldwide, when Ford proclaimed the new Fiesta range to be “the world’s biggest vehicle project since the Model T”, I’m not ashamed to say I burst out laughing. I just couldn’t see how Ford could back this statement up with results. If you produce the world’s first production car and then sell 12 million of Europe’s best-selling hatchback since it was first made 32 years ago, you have every right to be skeptical about how they’ll top it.
Also, if you’re selling that volume of cars, why would you change the design significantly and risk millions of customers going to another dealership? No, I think what Ford really meant was “the most important global vehicle project since the Model T, because in these times of economic crisis, if we don’t change a lot, we’re broke.” After all the giant billboards that lined the London docks at the British Motorshow last year, Kia’s annual budget must have flown instantly.
The awards are proof that while it’s debatable whether or not Ford has come up with a groundbreaking project, the new car is up to the task of being a good hatchback. Now there’s an even newer, er, new Ford Fiesta, the ECOnetic. It’s clear from the capital letters of ‘ECO’ that this car is intended to be green, whatever color you choose. The old Fiesta belonged to the ‘New Edge’ school of design and the ECOnetic exhibits what Ford calls ‘Kinetic’ styling. Another great claim backed up with results, the Fiesta really does seem to move when sitting on the curb.
A large front grille interrupted only by the number plate greets you head-on, while the side profile shows off large cutouts that stretch from hood to trunk, giving the car an attractive stance. However, it all goes a bit wrong in the back. The high line of the trunk is fine, as is the subtle roof spoiler and the combination of metal and black plastic. Unfortunately, if you don’t look at the rear head-on, it looks like you’ve been hit from behind by an elephant and you haven’t fixed it. There are no such concerns with interior styling where everything is very spatial and well placed. The center stack inspired by mobile phone keypads is my favorite touch and it’s easy to use.
But about the ECO bit, I hear you cry. It’s actually a trim level within the range, like the Ghia or Zetec of yesteryear. In this case, the suspension was lowered, wind deflectors added, and low-rolling-resistance tires fitted, all in the name of increasing fuel economy and reducing emissions. There’s also a green shift indicator light that flashes when it’s more efficient to change gear. Kid runners do not need to apply. A 1.6 TDC Duratorg engine can be found under the hood, but unlike the version found in other Fiestas in the range, it generates a combined fuel economy of 76.3 mpg. Emissions are also measly with just 99g/km of CO2 escaping from the car. The ECOnetic has been hailed as the UK’s greenest five-door estate car and with figures like this, who am I to argue? Oh, and thanks to those emissions, road tax is also a thing of the past with this car.
Best thing to recommend this for though, is that it drives like a ‘normal’ Fiesta, despite engine wear, lower suspension and special tyres. If you hadn’t already guessed, handling like the other Fiestas in the range is a very good thing, hence the plethora of awards it is given. In the city it’s light and manoeuvrable, and despite only going 111 mph, it doesn’t feel awkward in the outside lane of the freeway.
When you think about it, this car is pretty innovative, so maybe Ford was telling the truth after all. Either way, they should have no problem selling them, even with elephant damage.