3112 ROADTEST: FORD FIESTA 35 118D 4 improvements over the
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previous model. Aside from cosmetic changes, the front suspension, steering and brakes have all been revised while a Safeguard immobiliser system comes as standard on both engines.
Passive safety features comprise a driver's airbag, impact-beams in the side doors, safety cage, front and rear crumple zones, anti-submanning seat bases and seat-belt "grabbers".
Other options include a front passenger's airbag for £255; a pollen filter for £15; a mesh bulkhead extension for £65; a heated windscreen and tinted glass for £145; electrically powered windows and tinted glass for £215; metallic paint for £205; power-assisted steering for £350; and a security pack for £355.
• PRODUCTIVITY We've already flagged up the importance of fuel economy for hatchvan buyers; unfortunately this does us no favours in distinguishing the models on offer as there's no more than 2mpg between the Corsa, 106, Clio and Fiesta with Fiat's Punt() only 0.5mpg behind them.
The fully laden Fiesta's 47.9mpg round our Kent test mute is just behind the Corsa's classleading figure. We suspect this is down to the Vauxhall's greater torque combined with a slightly lower GVW.
We weren't able to test the Fiesta unladen, but judging by the fuel returns of similar vehicles we reckon a figure in the high 50s would be about right.
Payload isn't generally an issue for hatchvan drivers—your average box of tools isn't going to weigh anywhere near the 350kg average load capacity for this sector. But if you do need to carry heavy, compact loads it's worth noting that the Fiesta is some way behind the competition. The leader here is Vauxhall's Corsa with 80kg more than the Fiesta's 319kg, which is 46kg behind the next best contender. However, considering it has one of the highest GVWs, this probably says something for the Fiesta's build quality and durability.
Load volume is of greater importance and is also one of the Fiesta's strong points. Admittedly there's little difference between hatchvans here, but the Ford is 1000 better than the Clio and around 8% better than the rest of the pack. The rubber load mat works well but it's a shame there are no tie-down points; these come as standard in almost every other vehicle in this class.
The half-height steel bulkhead will keep some of the load away from the occupants but if you're planning to stack things up you'll need the mesh add-on which costs ,E65.
One drawback with hatchvans is that they inherit a high loading height from their car parents. Lifting items to the front of a hatch's load area can be quite a strenuous task but in fact the Fiesta is relatively tame; only the Clio is lower.
Service intervals are a commendable 10,000km for minor checks with the first major service at at 30,000km to give a total yearly downtime of 4.6 hours.
• ON THE ROAD We had some prejudices as to how the Fiesta would perform on the road: it has the same driveline as our long-term Ford Courier. We did encounter the same reasonably smooth engine and transmission, hut other characteristics were bound to be different.
For a start power steering does not come as standard on the Fiesta and round town it did feel quite heavy (although we may have become weakened by too much power assistance). Fortunately it is precise and nicely weighted at speed. The handling is also sharper than that of the Courier with very little body roll. Push it hard around a corner and you'll find a touch of understeer, but on the whole it's fairly neutral. Once the limit of grip is found any oversteer happens progressively.
With a shorter wheelbase it came as no surprise that the ride was firmer than the Courier's, though it's far from uncomfortable and, as befits a van that's really a car, the unladen ride is marginally better than laden.
Straight-line acceleration is certainly the Fiesta's strong point. Despite its power deficit compared with the Renault Clio, it still managed to match its 0-50mph time of 13.5sec to beat the rest of our comparison group by more than a second.
Hill climbing is also impressive and the Fiesta almost managed a restart on our 33% ■