Cars - Ford Fiesta

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	Cars - Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta is a mid-class supermini car designed by the Ford Motor Company in Europe, and also manufactured in Brazil, Mexico, China, India and South Africa. It is now marketed worldwide, including Japan and Australasia, but was only sold briefly in North America. It is one of Ford's most successful cars with over ten million sold in six distinct generations since 1976 and production continues as of 2006.

History

In the early 1970s, demand from consumers for small cars was rising, as Ford's competitors were launching cars like the Fiat 127 and the Renault 5. The effects of the 1973 energy crisis was also affecting demand. Ford needed a small car to compete in this emerging market. After research and many mock-ups, a prototype and project known as "Bobcat" was created, which would be the basis of Ford's new car, the "Fiesta". After years of speculation by the motor press about Ford's new car, it was unveiled in late 1975.

Mark 1 (1976–1983): Birth of the Fiesta

The Fiesta Mk I was launched in 1976. It was also a breakthrough for Ford as it was their first truly successful front-wheel drive car. It was also the first new Ford car since the Ford Granada five years earlier. The first generation Fiesta was also a "world car", an "Americanised" version being sold in the United States from 1978 to 1980 where it was classified as a subcompact car. The Fiesta's small size prompted American management to invest in what would become the European Mk III Escort introduced in 1980, and the first generation American Escort, introduced in 1981. Mechanically, the Fiesta followed tradition, with an end-on four-speed manual transmission mounted to a new version of the Ford Kent OHV engine dubbed "Valencia", named after the brand new Spanish factory in Almusafes, Valencia, developed especially to produce the new car. Ford's plants in Dagenham, England and Cologne, Germany were also used to manufacture Fiestas.

The Fiesta was a runaway success overnight, and the one millionth Fiesta was produced on January 9 1979. The car was available with 957 cc (high compression and low compression options), 1.1 and 1.3 L OHV petrol engines and in base, Popular, L, Ghia and S trim, as well as a van. A sporting derivative (1.3 Supersport) was offered in 1980, effectively to test the market for the similar XR2 introduced one year later, which featured a 1.6 L version of the same engine. Black plastic trim was added on the exterior and interior, and the car looked exciting. The small square headlights were replaced with larger circular ones resulting in the front indicators being moved into the bumper to accommodate the change. In a stroke, Ford had created a cult car so beloved of boy racers throughout the 1980s. But with a four-speed transmission and just 84 hp initially, the performance of the early XR2 hot hatch was disappointing compared with later rivals.

Mark 1 specifications:

Capacity: 957–1598 cc

Power: 40–84 cc

Max. speed: 131–167 km/h

Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 20.3–10.4 seconds

Mark 2 (1983–1989): A legend

The second generation Fiesta appeared towards the end of 1983, which was essentially a mild facelift of the Fiesta Mk I. The 1.3 L engine was replaced by the lean-burn 1.4 L. The 1.1 L (1117 cc) could achieve a maximum speed of 95 mph on a flat surface.

A "Fiestamatic" had been rumoured for some years and the new CTX continuously variable transmission, also fitted in the Fiat Uno, eventually surfaced for the first time early in 1987.

The most bizarre feature of the Mk II was that throughout its entire production life, the fitment of an almost completely different dashboard was perpetuated on the lower-series trim levels compared to the more expensive variants, the sole common visible components (save for minor switchgear and lighter socket) being the fuse-box cover and fuel/water gauges.

The Ford Fiesta was regularly a top-selling car in the UK throughout the 1980s and was also popular in Europe. It was both well-regarded by men and women. But towards the end of the decade, it was getting left behind by more modern rivals like the Vauxhall Nova.

Although there were some XR2 TT models produced, these were cars that were converted either by Turbo Technics or an approved fitting centre, and boasted approx 125 hp (the car only weighed about 800 kg) with a large amount of torque, easily outclassing most other cars in its class. Ford was keen to look after these customers and realising the high quality of the conversion all the warranties were still valid after the conversion.

Mark 2 specifications:

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Ford Fiesta ]

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Cars - Ford Fiesta

History

Mark 1 (1976–1983): Birth of the Fiesta

Mark 2 (1983–1989): A legend

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