- Enthusiastic 1.6-litre petrol engine
- Impressive ride/handling balance
- Enjoyable to drive
- Body feels solid and rigid
- Fiesta Zetec has firm, unforgiving ride
- Front seats are firm and lack lateral support
- Instrument gauges hard to read
- Cabin lacks sound insulation
Review: Ford WP Fiesta (2004-05)
Overview
Released in Australia in April 2004, the Ford WP Fiesta was available as a three- or five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Cologne, Germany, the front-wheel drive Fiesta was powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. Furthermore, the WP Fiesta range consisted of LX, Zetec and Ghia variants.
The 1.6-litre ‘Duratec’ engine had an aluminium alloy block, cast iron cylinder bore liners, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, fracture-split sintered steel connecting rods and a compression ratio of 11.0:1. The engine also required 95 RON premium unleaded petrol.
Effectively replacing the Ford Ka , the Mk.5 Fiesta was based on the Ford’s B3 platform which also underpinned the Mazda DY Mazda2 . Compared to the Mazda2, the five-door Fiesta was 9 mm shorter (at 3916 mm), 3 mm wider (1683 mm), 77 mm lower (1463 mm) and had a 6 mm shorter wheelbase (2486 mm). The three-door Fiesta had similar dimensions, though its roofline was 5 mm higher (at 1468 mm). The Fiesta had MacPherson strut front suspension and twist-beam rear suspension with monotube dampers.
| Variant | Body | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX | 3 or 5 door | 1.6-litre petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
74 kW at 6000 rpm | 146 Nm at 4000 rpm |
| Zetec | 3 door | ||||
| Ghia | 5 door |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Fiesta LX included dual front airbags and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters; automatic models were also fitted with ABS and electronic brake force distribution. The Zetec and Ghia were equipped with ABS and electronic brake force distribution as standard, while front side and curtain airbags were optional on the Ghia.
Brakes
The Mk.5 Fiesta had 258 mm by 22 mm ventilated front brake discs and 203 mm rear brake drums with 36 mm brake shoes.
Euro NCAP crash testing
In Euro NCAP crash testing , a three-door 1.4-litre Fiesta, equipped with dual front airbags received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 24.84 out of 37. In the offset crash test, protection from serious chest and leg injury was marginal for the driver. In the side impact test, there was a moderate risk of serious chest injury for the driver.
Features
Standard features for the Fiesta LX included a four speaker sound system with CD player, 60/40 split and folding rear seats a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power front windows and mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat and an immobiliser.
The Fiesta Zetec was further equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, steering wheel audio controls and front fog lamps.
The range-topping Fiesta Ghia was distinguished by its upgraded sound system with six-disc in-dash CD player, leather-wrapped gearshift and front map lights.
Specifications
Review: Ford WQ Fiesta (2006-08)
Overview
Released in March 2006, the WQ was a minor update for the Fiesta range with revised styling and improved equipment levels. In March 2007, the range was expanded with the introduction of a five-door Zetec variant, while the XR4 followed in June 2007. Visually, the WQ Fiesta could be identified by its revised headlights, bumpers, grille, cabin trim, fascia and thicker side mouldings; Ghia variants also received chrome-ringed tail-lights.
Fiesta XR4
The Fiesta XR4 was powered by a 2.0-litre ‘Duratec’ four-cylinder petrol engine. Based on the 1.6-litre engine used for other Fiesta variants, the 2.0-litre Duratec engine had a variable intake system (VIS) and sports exhaust. Furthermore, the five-speed manual transmission was modified with a short-throw action, closer ratios and shot-peened second and third gearsets for greater strength. Other changes included a stiffer front subframe for greater suspension control and a 10 per cent shorter steering ratio.
| Variant | Body | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX, Zetec |
3 or 5 door | 1.6-litre petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
74 kW at 6000 rpm | 146 Nm at 4000 rpm |
| Ghia | 5 door | ||||
| XR4 | 3 door | 2.0-litre petrol I4 | 5sp man. | 110 kW at 6000 rpm | 190 Nm at 4500 rpm |
Safety equipment
For the WQ Fiesta, ABS and electronic brake force distribution were available as options on the manual LX.
Compared to the Zetec and Ghia, the XR4 was also equipped with brake assist, electronic stability control and traction control. The XR4 was also fitted with an upgraded braking package which consisted of 278 mm by 22 mm ventilated front brake discs and solid rear disc brakes.
Features
Standard Fiesta features were improved with air conditioning fitted as standard throughout the range, and an MP3 audio input for all manual models. Compared to its WP predecessor, the Zetec featured stiffer suspension, shorter gear ratios and 16-inch alloy wheels with low-profile tyres.
Compared to the Zetec, the Fiesta XR4 was distinguished by its 17-inch alloy wheels with 205/40 Pirelli P-Zero tyres, deeper air intake, contoured front sports seats trimmed in black leather with red or blue cloth centre sections, chrome-ringed fog lamps, a rear sports bumper, side skirts and roof spoiler.
Specifications
Related links
- Ford Newsroom: Zetec five-door expands Fiesta range (March 2007)
- Ford Newsroom: Hot New Fiesta Offers XXXX-Rated Performance (June 2007)
- Wikipedia.org: Ford Mk.5 Fiesta
