Ford Fiesta 1.6 2008

Ford Fiesta 1.6 2008

Here’s the first drive verdict on Ford’s all-new Fiesta, the most important supermini to be launched in 2008. Not only is the Fiesta Britain’s best-selling small car and the sporting driver’s choice, it’s also the backbone of loss-making Ford’s turnaround plan.

By 2010, the Fiesta hatchback will be on sale in Asia and North America (as well as Europe), a global strategy that will be rolled out to the next-generation Focus and Mondeo, as Ford battles for profitability. But has the desire to please everyone led to a mixed-up mess that will satisfy nobody? Read our first drive of the 1.6-litre petrol Fiesta to find out.

CAR is in Tuscany, Italy, driving the European version of the new hatchback. The Fiesta goes on UK sale in October 2008, priced from £8695 for a three-door Studio model running the base 59bhp 1.25-litre petrol. We tested a plush 1.6-litre Titanium spec model, with five doors, a new four-cylinder Ti-VCT petrol kicking out 118bhp and a lofty £13,195 fee. The price may be indulgent but the equipment is too: cruise control, auto headlamps and wipers, leather seats, keyless entry, Bluetooth ‘phone connectivity and big alloys are all included, to catch affluent punters ready to downsize.

Ford Fiesta 1.6 2008

Ford Fiesta 1.6 2008 Side

Ford Fiesta 1.6 2008 Back Side