FORD FIESTA SET FOR ASEAN DEBUT IN THAILAND
2010-08-20 16:42:31 Author: admin Source:
The new Ford Fiesta is set for its Asean debut in Bangkok, Thailand around the month of September, which would then lead to debuts in other Asean markets, such as Australia, New Zealand and eventually Malaysia.
The region's customers are already anticipating the Fiesta's arrival, eversince its European introduction just over a year ago, and will now be able to choose between a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback. Since its introduction, more than 1 million Fiestas have been sold globally.
The Asean Fiestas; hatchback and four-door, will be built at Ford Thailand's Rayong plant for the local Thai market with export versions planned for Asian countries.
With Fiesta, Ford is meeting growing customer demand for sporty small cars with a sleek, sophisticated design.
The front end features the familiar Ford signature grille with the 'Blue Oval' trademark. Sweeping, elongated headlamps frame the hood. The Fiesta's rear end (above) stands out with chamfered rear lift gate glass, a low roofline, a spoiler and dramatic tail lamps with honeycomb detailing on hatchback models. Muscular rear quarter panels wrap tightly over the wheels, giving the car a bold, muscular look.
Inside, the car's interior has sculpted surfaces and contrasting colors, beginning with the futuristic-looking instrument panel centre stack. Adding to that, there are an intuitive switchgear and a comfort zone seating feature to boost overall interior appeal. For entertainment, the new Fiesta models are equipped with MP3 and AUX input connections for personal devices. The Sport model is also comes with Voice Control technology (Bluetooth®) and a USB plug-in feature.
Three models are available with the new Fiesta; Style, Trend and Sport. All three trim options will be available in both sedan and hatchback models.
Style models are equipped with a 1.4-litre engine. Four-door models can be equipped with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Five-door hatchback models feature a standard four-speed automatic transmission. Trend and Sport models also are available in both four- and five-door configurations and are equipped with the larger, more powerful 1.6-litre Twin independent – Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) engine.
With the higher output engine, Trend and Sport models also receive the new six-speed 'PowerShift' automatic transmission as standard equipment. Both models are also equipped with Ford’s Electronic Stability Program and Hill Launch Assist as standard equipment.
The base 1.4L model has the capacity to deliver 95 PS (70kW) at 5750rpm, while the upgraded 1.6L models produce 121 PS (89kW) at 6000rpm. Both engines are designed to run with Ethanol 20 fuel, 91 RON, 95 RON and gasohol 91 and 95. Additionally, the high-end models are equipped with the new 'PowerShift' six-speed automatic transmission, providing intuitive performance and fuel economy at the same time, particularly for the manual transmission variant. With six forward gears, the engine can run at lower rpms for better fuel economy and less wear and tear.
The new Fiesta is outstanding on safety features too, featuring standard Anti-Lock Braking (ABS) system and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), and the higher range variants are incorporated with an additional Electronic Stability Program (ESP). ESP senses when your vehicle is losing road grip and automatically applies braking force to individual wheels, to stabilize it in all driving conditions, much like your typical traction control.
Handling and stability rely on tuned front struts, bushings, damper stabilizer bars and a rear twist-beam axle. Fiesta's ability to hug the road and cruise quietly is made possible by its rigid body structure, comprising 55 percent of high-strength steel with ultra-strong boron steel. Additionally, standard airbags as well as passenger-side airbags for trend and sport variants keep everyone safe in the event of a collision.
A full rainbow of colors will be available for Fiesta models which include Black Mica, Cool White, Highlight Silver, Metropolitan Gray, Sparkling Gold (not for hatchbacks) and Phantom Blue. Five-door models also include True Red, Aurora Blue (substituted for Phantom Blue) and Chilli Orange.
More information on the Fiesta will be available on its Malaysian debut.
