7 MOTORING FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2009THE SCOTSMAN
The 1.25 Fiesta costs �10,595, slots into insurance group 1, and delivers 52.3 miles to the gallon
Easiest access to a
quality supermini
SUPERMINIS these days aren't
the small-fry shopping hatches
they once were. Tipping the
scales at well over 1,000kg and at
about four metres in length,
we're talking about substantial
bits of metalwork, and that
raises questions about the en-
gines charged with powering
them.
Can a supermini still get away
with less than 1.3 litres? Ford
thinks so, fitting a 1.25-litre unit
to its Fiesta. How such diminu-
tiveenginescopewiththevaried
roles that modern superminis
are designed to perform is ques-
tionable.
There are two power options
for the punters to mull over. The
59bhp entry-level option is pre-
dictably lacking in performance
with the 0-60mph sprint taking
a tiresome 16.9 seconds. The
81bhp alternative has more zip,
with a 13.3s sprint, but it's still
lacking the muscle needed to
propelthissuperminiinanippy
fashion.
Maximum torque is 84Nm at
4,200rpm, whereas the less
powerful option produces its
80Nm at a slightly more accessi-
ble 3,600rpm.
However, the latest Fiesta is
such a slick piece of engineering
that it largely masks the defi-
ciency in outright pace with its
poise and fluency on the road.
This is a fine-handling car
with its variable power-assisted
steeringprovidingweightyreas-
surance at speed and a light
touch when manoeuvring. The
gearchangeisafractionrubbery
butpositiveinitsaction.Andthe
suspension absorbs bumps ex-
pertly and in a manner that puts
some far larger cars to shame.
The Fiesta provides a huge de-
gree of adjustment in its driving
position and even lankier indi-
high up, so light isn't abundant
in the back. The five-door mod-
els fare better with a bigger glass
area creating a roomier feel. All
derivatives share the same easily
navigable control system for
their various electronics.
All Fiestas share Ford's "Ki-
netic" design. Themes as seen on
the Mondeo, S-MAX, Focus and
others are put to work again but
the signature features seem to
gain cohesion on a smaller car.
The interior styling reprises
the edgy and angular themes of
the outside, the fascia contrast-
ing soft-touch materials with
hardsilveryplastics.Thecarfeels
modern and is very nicely exe-
cuted in terms of quality with a
pronounced modern feel.
It's the price that's going to
persuade the majority of 1.25
ownerstotaketheplunge.It'sthe
cheapest way to get yourself into
Ford's iconic small car and for
many that will be a recommen-
dation in itself. You'll pay just
over �10,000 for the entry-level
Studiomodelwiththe59bhpen-
gine and three doors.
Here, the specification isn't
palatial but you get body-
coloured bumpers, tinted glass,
electric power steering, a CD
stereoandtheFordEasyFuelSys-
tem that will prevent you from
putting diesel in it.
Step up to Style trim and the
options of five doors and the
more powerful engine are
opened up. You pay �500 extra
for the 81bhp unit. There are also
Style+ and Zetec trim levels for
the 1.25-litre buyer to consider
but these are only offered with
the 81bhp engine.
All Fiesta models come with
ABS brakes featuring Electronic
Brakeforce Distribution plus
front, side and knee airbags.
Economy and emissions are
52.3mpg and 128g/km from the
59bhpcarswhilethe81bhpmod-
els give 49.5mpg and 133g/km.
The 1.25-litre engine is a tried
and tested unit that should
provereliableoverthelongterm
and with the 59bhp car squeez-
ing into insurance group 1, these
arecarsthatwon'tserveupmany
nasty surprises on the costs
front.
Ford's Fiesta is an outstanding
supermini that isn't at its best
with a 1.25-litre engine installed
under its bonnet.
The Fiesta's prowess as a long
distance cruiser will be dimin-
ished by the lack of power but if
performance isn't a priority, the
1.25 models should be perfectly
adequate for urban motoring.
The Fiesta's considerable other
qualities will still shine through
and that's what will give it the
edge over rivals.
This is a fine-handling
car with its power
steering providing
weighty reassurance
at speed
viduals will be able to get com-
fortable behind the wheel.
Forward visibility is fine but
the small rear window and thick
C-pillars can present a problem
when reversing. The wedge-
effect of the Fiesta in profile
doesn't bode well for the rear
passengers in the three-door car
but the Fiesta surprises with de-
cent legroom and headroom
that's manageable even for a six-
footer.
Thewindowsaresmallandset
Dalkeith Ford Centre
Brand New Fiesta1.25 Studio
R.R.P = �10,895 Dalkeith Ford Centre Discount = �2000 Government Scrappage Allowance = �2000
On The Road Price = �6,895!
Brand New Ka 1.25 Studio 3dr
R.R.P = �8845 Dalkeith Ford Centre Discount = �1150 Government Scrappage Allowance = �2000
On The Road Price = �5695
TOP PRICES PAID FOR YOUR PART EXCHANGES FINANCE AVAILABLE
Dalkeith Ford Centre YOUR LOCAL FORD DEALER
TO ARRANGE A TEST DRIVE, CONTACT RON CRUICKSHANKS
15 Old Edinburgh Road, DALKEITH. EH22 1JL www.dalkeithford.co.uk
OPEN 7 DAYS Sales: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm. Sat 9am-5pm. Sun 12-4pm
Models shown for illustration purposes only
NU59 REG NU59 REG
"We truly wont be beaten on price" - "Actions speak louder than words"
Fiesta
available
with nil
advance
payment
5 speed manual gearbox, ABS, driver & passenger airbags, PAS, 14" steel wheels,
body colour bumpers, radio/CD + MP3 with 6 speakers.
5 speed manual gearbox, immobiliser, driver and passenger airbags, 14" steel wheels,
body colour bumpers, MP3 compatible radio/CD, ABS, power steering
0131 660 2226

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