Tenerife - 23.04.2010 - The Fiesta’s advanced steel body shell combines light weight with outstanding strength and durability. Light weight means improved fuel economy and performance, while the strength of the structure is reflected in the Fiesta’s five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. To achieve this impressive combination, new metals were used for the body. Over 55 per cent of the structure is made from ultra high strength steel, helping to make the Ford Fiesta 40 kilos lighter than the model it replaced. Its bodyshell features a range of different high-strength metals, including boron steel, one of the strongest weldable materials available. Sophisticated computerised design tools allowed the high-strength steels to be positioned exactly where they are required to provide maximum protection in a crash.

Ford have made new additions to the range as well, including the new Durashift automatic transmission models. The refined transmission is matched to the new 1.4-litre, 96PS Duratec petrol engine, with a responsive character which benefits from the Fiesta’s new body structure. This ensures that the convenience of an automatic gearbox does not significantly compromise performance or economy, achieving 0-62mph in 13.9 seconds, while delivering 43.4mpg and an average CO2 rating of 154g/km.

Refinements have also been made to the Ford Fiesta’s accelerator pedal response and a sporty driving quality has been created, present even with the automatic transmission. The car’s electronic throttle is tuned to respond differently, depending on how much and how sharply it is applied. More aggressive throttle inputs generate a sharper, sportier response, while gentle throttle inputs give a smoother, progressive feel.

The all-new Ford Fiesta's advanced steering technology, Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system, helps give improved fuel economy, great manoeuvrability and responsive handling as well as compensating automatically for the small suspension and tyre changes which are a natural consequence of normal wear and wear. Fitted as standard across the range, EPAS incorporates 'pull-drift compensation' which automatically makes the subtle steering corrections often required during a car's normal life after tyre and suspension wear. Impacts with potholes or kerbs, or differences in tyre pressure, can introduce small variations to the suspension geometry. Without EPAS to intervene, they would require slight steering correction by the driver. Pull-drift compensation uses computer software to identify when this is happening, and applies imperceptible steering adjustments to eliminate the effect before the driver is even aware.

The all-new Ford Fiesta is the latest Ford model especially designed and tested to help protect car occupants from potentially health-threatening allergic reactions. Ford is the only manufacturer to have its cars independently checked by the British Allergy Foundation (BAF) and the renowned international test authority TÜV to confirm they are 'allergy friendly'. For each model, over 100 materials are assessed for allergy-causing potential, so Ford drivers can be confident that the interior conforms to the high standards required by BAF and TÜV. All materials touched by drivers, such as the steering wheel, seat covers and seat belts are dermatologically tested. Allergy-tested Ford models are equipped with high-performance filters, effective at preventing allergic pollens from entering the cabin.

For more information about the latest Ford Fiesta range, contact your nearest branch of Archiauto, in Santa Cruz, La Orotava or Las Chafiras, or www.archiauto.com.


This article appears in the print edition 615 of Island Connections

Gallery: Fiesta with a heart of steel

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