The supermini is on sale in the UK with a starting price of £16,620 (RM95,683 approx)
Ford has given the seven-generation Fiesta a mid-cycle update, which brings fresh exterior design and a host of new equipment. On top of the existing Trend, Titanium, ST-Line and Active variants, customers can now opt for new Vignale packs that will enhance the look of the supermini through luxury specifications.
Starting from the outside, the Fiesta receives a slight nip and tuck, which comprises new standard LED headlights (which can be upgraded to Matrix LED units), a new bonnet design and larger upper grilles. The blue oval badge is now set within the grille, rather than on the bonnet lip as seen on the previous version.
Each Fiesta variant has unique design cues to mark their positioning in the lineup. For instance, the Trend and Titanium feature a broad upper grille with horizontal strakes and a high gloss chrome surround, while the ST-Line is recognisable by its new upper grille with deeper inset and gloss black honeycomb finish, as well as body-coloured side vents and larger lower grille.
The Active variant continues with the rugged, outdoorsy theme with gloss black vertical strakes in the grille and taller side vents, which enhance intensify its crossover stance. Regardless of variants, the Fiesta comes with seven new alloy wheel designs and two new exterior colours – Boundless Blue and Beautiful Berry.
In addition, those who tick the Vignale box get 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels, premium Sensico seat materials and matte carbon-effect interior decorative elements.
Inside, the new Fiesta gets a 12.3-inch, fully-configurable TFT digital instrument cluster with displays that correspond with selected Drive Modes, and a separate area that displays vital information such as driver assistance technologies. Speaking of technology, Ford has added Wrong Way Alert that uses a windscreen-mounted camera and data from the navigation system to warn drivers should they drive through two “No Entry” signs on a highway.
Other features continue to be offered include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition, Active Park Assist, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert and Active Braking, Lane-Keeping Aid and Pre-Collision Assist with Active Braking.
There’s an 8-inch central touchscreen that provides access to Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Fiesta models equipped with the system now feature Rear Occupant Alert, which help drivers avoid leaving children or pets inside by reminding them to the check the back seats when the rear doors have been opened at the start of a journey.
There are no mechanical changes with the facelift, meaning the Fiesta soldiers on with 1.0-litre EcoBoost Hybrid 48-volt mild hybrid and EcoBoost petrol powertrains. The former, which features a belt-driven integrated starter/generator (BISG) in place of the standard alternator, is available with 125 PS and 155 PS power outputs. Meanwhile, the latter boasts 100 PS.
Fiesta ST
Did you think that Ford would leave out the ST for this update? Of course they won’t. For 2022, the smile-inducing hot hatch carries on with 200 PS from the 1.5-litre EcoBoost mill, but torque has been increased from 290 Nm to 320 Nm from 1,600 rpm to 4,000 rpm. This is enough to enable a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 230 km/h.
In addition to the Normal and Sport modes, the facelifted Fiesta ST replaces the Eco mode with a new Track mode that disables traction control and sets ESC to wide-slip mode for track driving.
Appearance-wise, the ST now appears more aggressive thanks to large lower side vents, as well as lower lip spoiler, side skirts, rear hatch spoiler and rear diffuser – all of which are finished in body colour. It comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels but customers may swap them out for 18-inch units in dark Magnetite finish. The shade you see here is new and it is aptly called ST Mean Green.
