FORD GETS RADICAL WITH NEW FIESTA.

THIS is the radical new Ford Fiesta which will be publicly unveiled next month and go on sale towards the end of the year.
Markedly more stylish than the current model, the Fiesta retains much of the stunning, almost coupe-like looks of the Verve concept that was one of the stars of last year's Frankfurt Motor Show.
It shares much of its underpinnings with the brilliant Mazda2 which breaks new ground for superminis by using clever engineering and great attention to detail to reduce weight and the Mazda tips the scales around 100 kgs lighter than the car it replaces. Lower weight means better fuel economy and crisper handling.
This will be the sixth generation Fiesta and as before, will come in both three- and five-door forms.
The interior is as stylish as the exterior and the new Fiesta is very much of a product of the 21st century. For example, connectivity is a big feature in this car. The new centre console features a convenient tray for MP3 players complete with built-in sockets for an auxiliary (AUX) audio and USB cables, along with the traditional 12 volt outlet. This allows the car's audio system to control and charge the MP3 player. Bluetooth connectivity with voice control is also offered in the new Fiesta, along with more big-car technologies.
There will be a range of petrol and diesel engines and by the end of the year an environmentally-friendly version called the ECOnetic with CO2 emissions of less than 100 g/km will go on sale, to challenge the likes of the VW Polo BlueMotion which emits 99 g/km.
Martin Smith, Executive Director of Design for Ford of Europe said: "New Fiesta evokes an instant emotional response that says 'I want one' which extends the traditionally practical values of the Fiesta to appeal to a new, style-conscious generation of small car buyers."
Full technical details and UK trim levels for the new Fiesta range will be released closer to the launch of the production model in autumn 2008.