Ford Fiesta (2002 – 2008) Review

January 0001

All-new Fiesta was launched at September 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show. Looks very much like a slightly smaller Focus, but with a less radical rear-end treatment. Handles nicely enough.

Dimensions of 5-door are: length 3,917mm (12 ft 10in); width 1,683mm (5 ft 6in); height: 1,417mm (4ft 8in). Luggage volume is 284 litres to the parcel shelf with the rear seats up.

Four engines available at launch:

New Ford/PSA 1,399cc Duratorq TDCi aluminium block, common rail direct-injected diesel. Power output is 68ps at 4,000rpm with 160Nm (118 lb ft) torque at 1,750rpm. 0-60 is quoted at 14.5 seconds, top speed 102mph, Euro combined mpg 62.8 and CO2 emissions 119g/km (£110pa VED). This engine meets Euro III emissions limits. The Ford of Britain/PSA joint venture for the production of the DLD/DV was announced in September, 1998. Half of the total engine count are produced at Ford of Britain's main plant at Dagenham, England and at Ford's Chennai plant in India, the other half at PSA's Trémery plant in France.

The inline 4 engines are sold under the Duratorq TDCi name by Ford, and as the HDi by Citroën and Peugeot. Mazda also uses the Ford made DLD engine in the Mazda2 and the Mazda 3, calling it the MZ-CD or CiTD.

DLD-414:
The Duratorq DLD-414 (or DV4) is a 1.4 L (1398 cm3/85 cui) inline 4 cylinder turbodiesel. Output is 67 HP @ 4500 rpm and 160 NM (117 lb-ft) @ 2000 rpm.

The DLD-414/DV4 is available in two versions:
One, an 8 valve design, uses a Borg-Warner KP35 turbocharger but no intercooler. This is the same turbocharger as the Renault K9K Diesel. It is Euro 3 compliant, but will receive a Diesel particulate filter from 2006 to make it Euro 4 compliant. In Ford, Mazda, and most PSA applications it uses a Siemens SID804 or SID802 common rail injection system. In some PSA applications a Bosch common rail system is used.

A second version uses a DOHC 16 valve design, with an intercooled variable geometry turbocharger. This engine uses Delphi Corp.'s DCR1400 common rail injection system. This derivation will no longer be built from 2006, as it will not be able to comply with the Euro 4 regulations.

Applications:
8 valve non-intercooled, 55 HP and 130 NM (96 lb-ft)
2005–2008 Citroën C1/Peugeot 107/Toyota Aygo 1.4 HDi
8 valve non-intercooled, 68 HP and 150 NM (111 lb-ft)
2003–2009 Citroën C2 1.4 HDi
8 valve non-intercooled, 68 HP and 160 NM (118 lb-ft)
2002–2009 Citroën C3 1.4 HDi
2002–2008 Ford Fiesta 1.4 TDCi
2002–2008 Ford Fusion (European) 1.4 TDCi
2002–2009 Peugeot 206 1.4 HDi
2005–2009 Peugeot 1007 1.4 HDi
2004 Citroen Xsara 1.4 HDI
2002–2007 Mazda 2/Demio 1.4D
2008–present Mazda 2/Demio 1.4D
2007–present Ford (India) 1.4 TDCi Fiesta, also marketed as the Ikon in South Africa.
2008–present Ford Bantam TDCi commercial vehicle in South Africa.
16 valve intercooled, 90 HP and 200 NM (147 lb-ft)
2001–2005 Citroën C3 1.4 HDi 16V
2002–2005 Suzuki Liana 1.4 DDiS

1,388cc Duratec 16v which is a development of 1.4 16v Zetec S engine in older Fiesta and Focus. Power output is 80ps at 5,700rpm with 127Nm (94 lb ft) torque at 3,500rpm. 0-60 quoted at 13.2 seconds, top speed 103mph, Euro combined mpg 46.3 and CO2 emissions 146g/km (£100pa VED). This engine meets Euro IV emissions limits.

1,596cc Duratec 16v which is a development of 1.6 16v Zetec S engine in the current Fiesta, Puma and Focus. Power output is 100ps at 6,000rpm with 143Nm (105 lb ft) torque at 4,000rpm. 0-60 quoted at 10.5 seconds, top speed 115mph, Euro combined mpg 42.8 and CO2 emissions 158g/km (£120pa VED). This engine meets Euro IV emissions limits.

Old 1,297cc Duratec 8v with new overhead cam alloy head instead of the old pushrods. Power output 68ps at 5,000rpm with 108Nm (80 lb ft) torque at 2,800rpm. 0-60 is quoted at 15.7 seconds, top speed 99mph, Euro combined mpg 48.7 and CO2 emissions 139g/km (£100pa VED). This engine also meets Euro IV emissions limits. This 'Rocam' engine fitting is quite rare, and briefly the cars came fitted with the old pusrod 1.3, which is to be avoided. You'll only know when you pop the bonnet.

Was originally thought that future engines may include a new 3 cylinder 1.1 that weighs just 100kg, yet puts out 110bhp and a useful 118lb ft torque (160Nm) at 1,800rpm. (That engine finally arrived in 2011.)

Standard equipment on all five-door Fiestas includes ABS with EBD, height adjustable driver and passenger seats, twin dual stage front airbags, five three-point seatbelts, decoupling pedals to protect the driver's feet in a severe impact, a passive anti-theft system, and a spare wheel stowed inside the boot rather than slung under it. Standard tyres are 175/65R14 which helps ride comfort. Side airbags, side curtain bags, perimeter alarm system and remote central locking are available either as standard or as extras depending on model.

Rear suspension is twist beam with compact spring damper units developed from system used on the previous Fiesta and Puma rather than the 'Control Blade' rear suspension used on the Focus.

original list prices from £8,495 for 1.3 Duratec Finesse to £11,195 for 1.6i Ghia. 3-door from late 2002, range topped by 2.0 litre ST150 with 7.0 second 0-60 and 135mph plus top speed from December 2004.

Four star 2003 NCAP crash test rating; two star pedestrian safety rating.

Durashift automated manual available from January 2003.

1.3 pushrod engine replaced by Bridgend built 75PS 1.25 twin-cam Zetec S/Duratec from April 2003.

4-speed 100PS 1.6 Durashift full automatic from February 2004, list priced from £12,120, does 112mph and 0-60 in 11.4 seconds. Rated average for breakdowns and fewest problems and faults, so 'Worth Considering' in 2003 Which survey.

Restyled late 2005 for 2006MY with bobbles on the front headlights like the Nissan Micra's (last two photos). Specs announced October 2005, on sale from November 2005.

92PS diesel really livens the car up and allows its handling to be exploited, while remaining under 121g/km so cheap VED. 92PS 1.6 TDCI Zetec S and ST150 both RECOMMENDED.

2007 new year offers and upgrades:

Fiesta Silver special edition includes £550 of extras, on the road at £9,295
New Fiesta Zetec Climate goes up-market with new trim levels, on-the-road from £10,195
New Sport Pack available for Fiesta Zetec Climate, saving £150
New technology pack available on selected Fiestas

3-dr Fiesta Silver came with features that add up to £550: body-coloured power/heated door mirrors, body colour side mouldings, door and tailgate handles, leather steering wheel with aluminium trim, silver gear knob and 15in nine-spoke alloy wheels. Available with the 1.25-litre, 1.4-litre petrol or 1.4-litre TDCi engines, this special edition Fiesta is also available with a new range of colours: sea grey, verdigris and ocean blue.

Fiesta Zetec Climate was enhanced to improve its appearance inside and out and appeal to the image-conscious Fiesta driver. Additional features include: body-coloured power/heated door mirrors, body colour side mouldings, door and tailgate handles, silver dashboard bezel, leather steering wheel with aluminium trim and a chrome front grille. The new Zetec Climate is on sale now with all engine options from £10,195.

Fiesta Zetec Climate customers had an additional option of a Sport Pack: 16-in seven-spoke sport alloy wheels and privacy glass are available at £300, a saving of £150.

Technology Pack consisted of automatic-headlights and wipers, power-fold door mirrors, stereo/radio remote controls and a second remote key. The new technology pack is ideal for customers who like to drive small cars with big car features and is available on Fiesta Zetec Climate, Zetec S and ST models, priced at £200.

Chequered Flag limited edition of 400 from March 2007 based on 100PS Zetec S 1.616v in unique radian yellow paintwork, chequered flag roof decal, air-con, leather seats, MP3 connection. On-the-road at £12,595.

Special edition Fiesta Zetec Blue announced 30-11-2007. Based on Style Climate, Zetec Blue costs £200 but has £800 extra spec. Standard equipment includes: body coloured bumpers, handles, mouldings and door mirrors, front fog lights, rear spoiler, leather steering wheel with aluminium trim, single slot Sony CD player, 16-in seven-spoke sport alloy wheels, electrically operated and heated door mirrors, air conditioning and Quickclear heated windscreen. The Fiesta Zetec

Three or five doors, 1.25-litre 75PS,1.4-litre 80PS and 1.4-litre 68PS TDCi engines. Two new interior trims: Pacific Pearl and Pacific Dusk, six body colours including new Blazer Blue. On-the road prices start at £9,995 for the 1.25-litre, three-door model, up to £11,595 for the 1.4-litre TDCi, five-door model.

June 2008

New sporty Fiesta Zetec S Red special edition. Black and white 'chequered flag roof' and Colorado red body paint. Leather seats and privacy glass £13,000 on-the-road. Only 400 to be built. 1.6-litre, 100PS petrol engine, Zetec S Also standard are Quickclear® heated front windscreen, ebony leather seats, 16in alloy wheels, air conditioning and heated electrically-operated door mirrors.

3rd most reliable small car in 2009 Warranty Direct statistics with 17% incidence of faults, with lowest average repair cost of faults at £91. More at www.warrantydirect.co.uk

Model revived in India in 2010 as the Ford Figo.