The article was originally produced on October 12, 2017, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta may be a small car, but now it fills up all the time and has been given a nicer and more well-filled suit than ever!

The bestseller Ford Fiesta continues to celebrate by having been around for a full forty years. Ever since its introduction in 1976, the Fiesta has been one of the best-selling small cars in its segment. The prototype was called Bobcat (lynx), but Henry Ford II himself changed the name to the more modest Fiesta. Over 15 million have been sold. 

Now the new Fiesta is here and in its seventh generation. I took a test drive to see what Ford has done to attract customers in this wasp's nest of competitors. The first thing we can see is that the suit fits better. Cleaner lines and narrower features give the new Fiesta a much neater and more sober look than its predecessors. The exterior detail work has also been increased considerably, which gives a better overall look. As usual with these small cars, they grow as new generations are introduced. The new Fiesta is no exception and has grown by as much as 71 millimeters in length and 12 in width. The distance between the wheels has increased by 4 millimeters, which may not sound like much, but on the whole, the legroom in the back seat has increased by 16 millimeters. The track width has also increased by 30 millimeters at the front and 10 at the rear, which makes a big difference when it comes to road holding. The new Fiesta is incredibly stable on the road and feels more like a car in a larger segment these days. Together with the now virtually non-existent wind noise and tire noise, the ride becomes extremely pleasant for both passengers and driver.

The interior has also received a proper review both in terms of design, choice of materials and technology. Thanks to a new 8-inch screen for the infotainment system, it has been possible to slim down thirty buttons and controls. Something that is immediately visible because you now don't have to look lost among all the buttons and controls. However, the 8-inch screen is optional and a 6.5-inch screen is fitted as standard. Nowadays, everything is easy to see and conveniently located. Among the optional extras that the car we tested unfortunately did not have, you will find a panoramic roof and sound system from Bang & Olufsen. Details that are mainly found in larger cars and in the premium segments. 

Safety has also been significantly increased in the new Fiesta. Here we find safety technology that is normally found in premium cars. Such as adaptive cruise control, which is standard in all versions. Autobrake is also standard, which now also reacts to pedestrians and in the dark. Among the equipment packages there are a number of different ones, and in Sweden it is expected that the name Titanium will be the most popular. There will also be a top model with the name Vignale, which is a name Ford has chosen to take up again and which will be the highest in terms of equipment. A sportier version with the addition ST is also on the way. Then with a harder chassis setting and a more lively engine. Later there will also be a version with higher ground clearance and the name Active. The car we test drove had the three-cylinder engine of 1 liter and 100 horses. A machine that does its job excellently together with the six-speed manual box. Although the numbers 0-100 in 10.5 seconds are not so spectacular, the car still feels lively with enough power in everyday traffic both in town and on the country road. The positive thing is that you get the consumption down to under half a liter per mile on this engine. 

To meet the demand for the new Fiesta and other models, Ford is investing heavily in a number of new facilities in Sweden. The largest, which will also be one of Europe's largest, is currently being built in Segeltorp south of Stockholm. In addition to car sales and service with 13 lifts, the center will contain a restaurant with 150 seats, tire hotel for 10,000 wheels. There will also be a transport vehicle centre. Estimated opening is planned for March 2018.