Ford boosts Fiesta range

Ford Australia has revealed details of the facelifted 2011 Fiesta range it will import from Thailand, instead of Europe, in the fourth quarter of this year.

The Fiesta will be available in five-door hatchback and, for the first time, four-door sedan body styles. It will no longer be available in three-door hatch guise.

The 1.4-litre petrol engine will be dropped, replaced with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder range, including a diesel.

The 66kW/200Nm diesel will be available on the LX sedan and hatch as well as the more expensive Zetec hatch.

The 89kW/151Nm version DOHC 16-valve Duratec petrol four, which will continue to feature Ti-VCT variable valve timing, will be available with both a five-speed manual and, for the first time, Ford’s new six-speed Powershift dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Both (CL and LX) versions of Ford’s first Fiesta sedan will be auto-only models.

The Econetic will continue to be made in Europe with a 1.6 Duratorq diesel engine offering 66kW and 200Nm while returning fuel consumption of 3.7L/100km and CO2 emissions of 98g/km, but the same engine will also be available in the flagship LX sedan, mid-range LX hatch and top-shelf Zetec hatch.

Production of the 2011 Fiesta in Thailand means the cars won’t attract a 5% tariff because Australia has a free trade agreement with Thailand.

Exterior cosmetic changes are limited to new wheel designs, body-coloured bumpers for the Fiesta CL and subtly revised front bumpers.

All Australian Fiestas will now be fitted as standard with electronic stability control. Five airbags, ABS brakes and emergency brake assist will also be standard across the range, with seven airbags to be standard on all but the entry-level CL models.

The Zetec scores a new sports suspension with specially tuned front struts, bushings and anti-roll bars, plus new sports front seats.

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