[RavenAvi]

Ford's bestselling supermini in the UK, the Fiesta, recently turned 40. To commemorate the occasion, Ford rolled out a special celebration convoy of an assortment of 40 Fiesta cars from all generations, which drove from Dagenham to Brighton (both in the UK) in a long cavalcade, culminating in a huge get-together for a celebration party at the latter.

The first Mk1 variant of the very-popular brand had rolled out of Ford's Valencia plant in Spain in 1976, and 4 decades later, has sold nearly 43.4 lakh units in the UK alone, making it the most selling car in UK's auto history!

According to Ford, more than one in every 20 cars sold in the UK was a Fiesta over these last four decades.

The next-gen Fiesta has already been spotted on testing runs (link (Spied: All-new 2017 Ford Fiesta for the first time)), and is scheduled to enter production sometime next year. Ford would want the all-new gen to continue it's stellar showing in sales numbers, as the next-gen Fiesta is slated to grow bigger and come with better refinement and improved overall quality, while maintaining a modified version of the same chassis as the current generation.

Motor 1

[libranof1987]

What a way to commemorate 40 years; splendid!

In the US, the Fiesta hatch is a very popular vehicle; it is leaps beyond what a hatch should be and of course, a delight to drive.

A quick read on the Fiesta : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fiesta

PS: Ford should consider getting not just the sedan but even the Fiesta hatch in India; it'll make a lot of enthusiasts happy!

[Porschefire]

Heartiest congratulations to Ford!

My tryst with the Fiesta started in 2014 and I've become a fan of Ford DNA! I can tell you that it was one of the most analog decisions in this digital world, to buy a car that was selling a couple of hundred units a month as against the several thousands of the segment leader! But it was well worth it. Fiesta is a revelation in every sense for me and is the perfect car that I could own as of now. Mpg, kmpl, mph, kmph, 0-60, 0-100 - all these are secondary to the Fiesta, what matters is it gives the maximum smiles/km and I'd take it over the others every single day!!!

It feels awesome to know that I own a piece of 40 year old history! Here are my contributions -


My Fiesta


My best friend's Fiesta ST in the US

[DragonHawk]

Kudos to Ford for achieving this feet.

Globally Fiesta is a well known brand and sadly though in India except with enthusiasts, it didn`t make a cut in the market. However if Ford India chips in this car again to the Indian market, then I will be the first one to stand infront of the showroom with the cheque book.

Some of the interesting tit bits about Fiesta.
1. Ford has sold 4,339,149 Fiesta sin the UK since the model debuted in 1976.

2. European sales of the Fiesta have exceeded 18 million.

3. In the last 40 years, one in every 20 cars sold in the UK has been a Fiesta.

4. Yes, that means that 5% of ALL the cars sold in Britain in the last four decades have been Fiestas.

5. The Fiesta has been the best-selling car every month for the last SEVEN YEARS.

6. In 2014, the Fiesta became the UK’s best-selling car of al time, overtaking another Ford – the Escort.

7. Production of the Fiesta began in a new factory in Valencia, Spain in 1976.

8. The Fiesta name was chosen personally by Henry Ford II for its alliteration with Ford and its celebration of Ford’s new connection with Spain.

9. UK sales commenced in 1977, initially with 1.0-litre and 1.1-litre Ghia versions.

10. By 1979, a million sales of the Fiesta had already been racked up.

11. In 1981, Ford introduced its first hot hatch version of the Fiesta, the XR2, with a 1.6-litre engine, along with stiffer suspension, perforated alloy wheels and styling treatments that included auxiliary driving lamps (remember them?).

12. The XR2 was also the first 100mph Fiesta.

13. The MkII Fiesta was launched in 1983. Longer and more efficient, it also introduced a 1.3-litre engine to the line-up – with a fifth gear.

14. A 1.6-litre diesel was also introduced in 1983, which became a mainstay of the line-up for more than a decade.

15. 1984 saw the introduction of the XR2 MkII, with a 1.6-litre, single-overhead-cam engine and 5-speed gearbox, low-profile tyres, plus improved suspension and brakes.

16. 153,000 Fiestas were sold in Britain in 1987 – the best sales year for the model.

17. Fiesta MkIII was launched in 1989, with anti-lock brakes and lean-burn engines, in 1.0-litre and 1.1-litre versions.

18. The MkIII also featured a longer and wider body shape, an increased wheelbase and was available for the first time in five-door guise.

19. The 1.4-litre added to the MkIII engine line-up in 1989 was the first Ford engine to meet European emissions standards due to take effect in 1996.

20. The XR2i was also launched in 1989, with a new 1.6-litre twin-cam engine.

21. However, the XR2i was bettered in 1990 by the introduction of the Fiesta RS Turbo at Turin Motor Show.

22. The Fiesta RS Turbo was 1.6 seconds quicker than XR2i to 62mph (100kph).

23. The next Fiesta hot hatch to be introduced was the Fiesta RS 1800 in 1992, powered by a 16-valve 1.8-litre engine.

24. The RS 1800 also had improved handling, five-spoke alloys and a body-colour spoiler.

25. A 1.8-litre, 16-valve Zetec engine was also added to the line-up in 1992.

26. A driver’s airbag was first introduced to the Fiesta in 1993.

27. The Mk IV Fiesta was launched in 1996 with a new more aerodynamic, more rounded shape.

28. The Mk IV also saw the introduction of 1.25-litre, 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre engines, plus a 1.8-litre diesel. And dual airbags were standard.

29. The Mk V Fiesta was launched in 2001, with production also beginning in Cologne, Germany.

30. The Fiesta MkV was launched initially in a five-door version with a new line-up of engines, including the new Duratec 1.3-litre and the 1.6-litre 16-valve Duratec petrol engines.

31. The Mk V was augmented in 2001 by a three-door variant and the range’s 1.4-litre Duratec petrol engine and new 1.4-litre Duratorq TDCi common rail diesel engine.

32. In 2005, the most powerful Fiesta to date, the 2.0-litre 148bhp Fiesta ST, was launched.

33. The new technologies of Bluetooth and voice activation were added to the Fiesta in 2006.

34. 2008 saw the unveiling of the MkVI Fiesta. In addition to being built in Cologne and Valencia, it was also to be built in Nanjing, China.

35. The 1.6-litre Duratec diesel engine was launched, with CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km, making it exempt from vehicle excise duty.

36. Just four years later, the MkVII was introduced, with a 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. After years of larger engines, the Fiesta was back to a 1.0-litre unit.

37. The Fiesta ST launched in 2013 with a 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine producing 179bhp.

38. A new 138bhp 1.0-lire EcoBoost engine was launched in 2014, with more power per litre than a Bugatti Veyron.

39. 2015 was the best year for Fiesta sales since 1996, with 133,000 finding new homes.

40. The Fiesta ST200 is launched in 2016, powered by a 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine that delivers 197bhp, making it the fastest-ever production Fiesta.

COURTESY: express.co.uk

[Jeroen]

Great little car. We have owned several over the years. Currently own one of the latest model too with the eco boost engine. Very nice car

Jeroen

[varunswnt]

What a gem of a car!

I don't really understand the logic of Ford to not have fiesta in Indian market. They had earlier iterations of Fiesta hatch as Ikon and Fiesta sedans, then we had latest iteration as well for not very long duration before it was axed. When India has Polo, i20, Baleno, Jazz which are superminis and sold in UK market then why only Fiesta is missing? I can't understand Ford's logic.

Now that they have Figo which is basically a Ford Ka, then can we have Fiesta back but in hatch as well, that would be one hell of a car. But with our 4m rule, Fiesta petrol won't be a scorcher thanks to 1.2l engine restrictions and we will have to be content with 1.5l diesel for performance. Please FORD listen to us team-bhpians.