Ford PH launches upgraded Fiesta

Ford Philippines has brought in the upgraded Fiesta, with the American carmaker counting on its new look, smattering of smart technologies, and all-new engine to keep it in the short list of customers in the subcompact car market.

\"Our aim with the new Fiesta is to take a popular car that was already a segment leader in fuel efficiency, performance and personality, and make it even better,\" said Ford Philippines managing director Kay Hart. \"The new Fiesta continues to push the boundaries and seal its credentials as the small car that stands out from the competition.\"

Dominating the updated Fiesta\'s face is its new trapezoidal front grille, which is the signature of Ford’s new global family. (Some say it was copied from Aston Martin.) On either side of it are new laser-cut headlamps, while the power-domed hood gives the car \"a more assertive and confident appearance.\"

At the back, the new taillamp design has more detail to complement the headlights. On the five-door hatchback, a new rear spoiler enhances the car’s sporty attitude, while the four-door sedan gets a new deck lid and bumper fascia. In addition, the chrome accent in the lower bumper fascia of the sedan conveys visual width and gives the car a more premium look.

Inside, the Fiesta retains its mobile phone-inspired dashboard, but the upper instrument panel now has a high-gloss finish that is replicated in the door panels. New seat fabrics and design are also offered in full leather, partial leather, comfort fabric and sport fabric trims. Ford Sync continues to solider on in the Fiesta, but the addition of the smart keyless entry and push-button start, specifically on the top-end variants, is a welcome one.

The biggest change to the upgraded Fiesta, however, is that only a single engine will be used for all eight variants.

Gone are both the 1.4- and 1.6-liter engines, and in their place comes a 1.5-liter Ti-VCT four-cylinder engine that puts out 110hp and 140Nm. It\'s paired with either a five-speed manual transmission or the PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission.

As for the Fiesta powered by Ford\'s 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine, the carmaker revealed that it will go on sale in our market later this year.

Pricing for the upgraded Fiesta is as follows:

* 1.5-liter five-door Sport and four-door Titanium - P868,000;

* 1.5-liter five-door and four-door Trend (AT) - P798,000;

* 1.5-liter five-door and four-door Trend (MT) - P748,000; and

* 1.5-liter five-door and four-door Ambiente (MT) - P698,000

\"The Fiesta has been a key driver of the company\'s success since its launch in 2010,\" Hart added. \"We are confident that the new Fiesta will continue to attract even more new-to-Ford customers to our showrooms, with its unmatched combination of quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart technologies and head-turning looks.\"