The all-new Ford Fiesta is not just the most dramatic and distinctive Fiesta ever, it also marks a significant landmark in Ford's history as the first Fiesta to be developed for customers around the world and as the template for the company's future generations of global vehicles.Since the very first Fiesta was launched in 1976, over 12 million have been sold, with over 400,000 customers in 2007 (103,000 in the UK alone) proving the enduring popularity of the model's style, efficiency and value for money.The all-new Ford Fiesta is set to extend these values, while appealing to a new generation of small car buyers with its mix of kinetic design and latest big car technology. Three- and five-door all-new Ford Fiestas will begin rolling off production lines in Europe in summer 2008, with regionally-tailored models on sale in Asia, South Africa, Australia and the Americas by 2010.Developed for Customers GloballyThe all-new Ford Fiesta is the first product of Ford's new Global Product Development System (GPDS) and has been designed and developed to meet the differing needs of customers as diverse as Western and Eastern Europe, North America, China, Australia and South Africa.Extensive research by Ford in these regions provided the basis for the new GPDS process, which will dictate the future of Ford product development. All-new Ford Fiesta is also the first product of Ford Motor Company CEO, Alan Mulally's 'One Ford' vision of a single, global company designing and building cars for a single, global customer base, not divided by regional or national borders."It's an incredibly exciting project," says Marin Burela. "All-new Ford Fiesta is a landmark moment for Ford. It's our most significant global vehicle project since the Model T and heralds the future for Ford product development."Designed for a New GenerationAll-new Ford Fiesta is the latest interpretation of Ford's kinetic design philosophy, exuding presence and individuality in a way that will appeal to a new generation of buyers.Building on the exciting momentum of the Ford Verve Concept and latest-generation production models like the Ford Mondeo and Ford Focus, all-new Ford Fiesta brings the modern and dynamic Ford of Europe family look to the small-car segment.It wears the distinctive, bold Ford 'face' including the signature lower grille and large, centred Ford oval badge that characterises both the Verve Concept and other modern Ford vehicles. Details such as chrome and brightwork accents, sleek, wraparound headlamps, bold, pronounced wheel arch lips and a strong bodyside beltline create a dynamic look, even when stationary, while a distinctive rear view is formed by a sweeping roofline that finishes in a small spoiler, with dramatic, honeycomb tail lamps.This impact continues on the inside, with courageous use of dynamic lines, full surfaces and bold graphics, with an ambience ranging from sporty to sophisticated, created by the careful use of colours and materials in different contrasts Zetec S incorporates snowboard and street fashion designs and Zetec and Titanium feature high contrast dark gloss surfaces and high-tech metallic accents.Executive Director of Design, Martin Smith comments: "This is the most complete, expressive and exciting Fiesta Ford has ever produced, inside and out. To me, it is a car that evokes an instant emotional response - 'I want one' - before you even get near it."Commitment to Driving ExcellenceBuying a Fiesta has always meant owning a great car to drive and all-new Ford Fiesta is set to extend that reputation even further, with key changes and an all-new 'Zetec S' model in the range.Standing on virtually the same footprint, but 40 kilogrammes lighter than its predecessor, all-new Ford Fiesta delivers a 'light-yet-solid' handling precision, enhanced by the first use of an Electric Power Assist Steering system in a European Ford.An all-new Ford Fiesta Zetec S model will be available at launch, with a new, 120 PS 1.6-litre Duratec Ti-VCT petrol engine bringing performance to the heart of the Fiesta rangeAt the same time, a new level of driving refinement echoes all-new Ford Fiesta's visual sophistication and is set to raise the standard for small cars for road, powertrain and wind noise isolation.Ford's commitment to driving quality will feature in all-new Ford Fiestas, whether built in Cologne, Germany, Valencia, Spain, or Nanjing, China, but with each tuned to suit regional driving conditions and customer preferences, under Ford's global engineering approach."We wanted to make sure that driving quality remains at the heart of all-new Ford Fiesta - we had to ensure that the driving experience delivered on the promise made by its dynamic kinetic design", says Dieter Schwarz, Vehicle Engineering Manager for global Fiesta development. "I am confident we have fulfilled that promise."
