Test drive Ford Fiesta 5 doors 2013 - NV hatchback

The second world

Ford Fiesta. Price: from 389000 rubles. On sale: since November 2008
After a couple of years, the new Fiesta should win the markets of five continents and become the largest project of the blue oval since the legendary Ford Model T. The beginning of the global expansion of this model has already been laid: from the fall, the novelty can be bought in all European countries, including Russia
Test pilot
Maxim Fedorov, 30 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience of 5 years, personal car Ford Focus II
As a rule, serial cars have little in common with their futuristic prototypes, collecting crowds of onlookers at the auto show. Frightened by their own courage, car manufacturers abandon many interesting design solutions, and as a result, on the way to the conveyor, the concept turns into an impersonal, devoid of bright ideas, the product. In this regard, the new Fiesta was an exception. She looks exactly the same as her prototype of Ford Verve, first shown to the public in the fall of last year. The only difference between the serial model and the concept of the crossbar in the radiator grill, on which the license plate is placed. And all! By the way, it is possible that the versions for the US market, where you can ride without a front number, will lose this cross -member, becoming an exact copy of Verve.
The Fiesta salon also has a minimum of differences from the concept. Even an unusual configuration of buttons on the central console with a navigation key, like a mobile phone, has been preserved. The management of the audio system using a mobile interface is intuitive and does not require addiction. The same can be said about the settings of the climate control system, the control panel of which is made by analogy with the regulators of the hydromassage shower cabin. But what is difficult to get used to is the location of the buttons of the windows of the front doors: to reach them, the hand has to be turned out, which is extremely inconvenient to do during movement. And another puncture of the developers, which constantly reminded of himself on the winding roads of Tuscany, where the Fiesta test drive was held, the lack of a ceiling handle of the front passenger.
If it were not for these annoying flaws, Ford interiorists could put a solid five: the novelty surpasses any classmate in terms of decoration and spaciousness of the passenger compartment. The upper part of the front panel is covered with expensive soft plastic, the color of which is combined with the color of decorative inserts on the doors and seats (in total 11 color combinations and interior decoration options). Due to the more rational layout in the cabin, there is more free space. So, in terms of the stock of front passengers space, the novelty is a leader in his class. The trunk is that
wo became more spacious. At the same time, in the parking lot, the new Fiesta takes up almost the same room as its predecessor, because the size of the body increased slightly, and the mass of the car even decreased by an average of 40 kg.
For the test, we were offered cars with 1.6 liters of 120 hp gasoline power. and a 90-horsepower turbodiesel, which will be represented in the Russian market. Previously, diesel fests were not officially supplied to our country, so the first thing I got behind the wheel of this version was not disappointed. The unit, created in partnership with motorists from the PSA Peugeot Citroen concern, having extensive experience in developing engines with ignition, demonstrated all the best qualities of modern turbodiesels: excellent traction, elasticity, low fuel consumption and low noise level. Despite the solid superiority in power, the gasoline fiesta seemed less temperamental, and, both strangely, more noisy due to the fact that with dynamic driving the motor had to be spinning more often before high speeds, while Turbodiselle tore from the bottom.
In running qualities, the novelty is not inferior to the focus, although its suspension is easier: instead of the rear multi -link, a semi -dependent torsion structure is used here. Exactly the same scheme is implemented in the previous generation model, and this similarity is no coincidence. The creators of the novelty did not develop a platform from scratch, modernizing the existing chassis, in particular, increasing the diameter of the front stabilizer, installing a new rear beam that has become a third tougher, as well as using other springs, shock absorbers and silent blocks. Due to the wider use of high -strength steels, twisting body hardness increased by 10%, which also improved handling. But most importantly, in the new model it was possible to achieve excellent operation of the steering wheel power power steering, first used on European Ford models. Fiesta steering provides good feedback and terminal stability with an adequate change in effort depending on speed. Well, in the parking lot, the steering wheel becomes weightless to rotate it literally one finger.

Prices and configuration
The most affordable Fiesta Ambiente is equipped with a 1.25 engine (82 hp), and in the list of standard equipment it has only a steering wheel and two eirbeg. The next step is the Trend equipment, which differs in the interior decoration, as well as the presence of regular front windows and central locking. The motor is also one 1.4 (96 hp), which can be paired with a 4 -speed automatic (surcharge of 30 thousand rubles). The GHIA version, serial-equipped with air conditioning, on-board computer, foglights and leather steering wheel, is equipped with 1.4 and 1.6 motors, and Titanium equipment with the same set of basic equipment as GHIA, but differing in the decoration of the cabin, can also be ordered from 1.6- liter turbodiesel. The Sport version with a large rear spoiler, a coarse-eating radiator grill, aerodynamic overlays on bumpers, ABS, lateral and knee eirbegs, heated seats and sports suspension are offered only with a gasoline engine 1.6 and only in a 3-door version. In other modifications, surcharge for a 5-door body is 10 thousand rubles.
Driving
Thanks to the successful settings of the steering electric power steering, the car is perfectly controlled and has good course stability.
   
Salon
By the quality of the finish of the salon, Fiesta sets the tone in its class. The futuristic design of the buttons on the central console does not go against their functionality. A spoonful of tar is small miscalculations in ergonomics.
   
Comfort
Noise insulation of the new model is an order of magnitude better than that of the predecessor. The list of options has been expanded: there was a radio with USB, a button for launching a motor and an access system without keys.
   
Safety
When developing the machine, the requirements of the new EURO NCAP standards were taken into account. Passengers are protected by a strong security cell. Airbeg for the knees of the driver is provided.
   
Price
The novelty has become noticeably more expensive, overtaking the Vsevolozhsk Ford Focus at the price.

Advantages and disadvantages
+ Excellent running qualities, high level of comfort, there is a diesel for Russia.
- High price, miscalculations in ergonomics, modest equipment of versions Ambiente and Trend.

Specifications
Mark and model - Ford Fiesta 1.6 Ti -VCT (TDCI)
Dimensions - 3950x1722x1481 mm
Engine - 1596 (1560) cm3, 120 (90) L.S./6000 (4000) min -1
Transmission - mechanical, 5 -speed
Dynamics - Max 193 (175) km/h, 9.9 (11.9) C to 100 km/h/h
Competitors - Mazda2, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 207, Seat Ibiza.

Our opinion
The new Fiesta will be a great choice for those who need a compact car with honed handling, a high level of comfort and safety, as well as a stylish design and a wide list of options. But if you did not tune in to the purchase of low -profile, for the same money you can take the Ford Focus of the Russian assembly with a more powerful engine and the best basic equipment.

Author: Maxim Fedorov
   
   
 
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [October 2008]