Ford Fiesta is turning 40 years old and over the past four decades it is safe to say that the model has had world wide appeal. It has been manufactured in different countries across the globe and with over ten million units sold to date, it clearly has a great reputation.
In light of the Ford Fiesta recently celebrating its 40th birthday, used Ford Fiesta Van retailer Van Monster, has taken a look back at this highly decorated supermini’s rich history.
The origins of the Ford Fiesta
In 1973 we witnessed a huge increase in the price of fuel due to problem in the Middle East. Following this, Ford started to consider how they could create a small and frugal car that would be able to compete in the everchanging emerging world that tapped into a shifting consumer mindset.
The created a brief that was simple but specific – to manufacture “the most outstanding small car the world had ever seen”. Seems simple enough? The car would need to be able to compete against the likes of the Fiat 127, the Renault 5 and the Volkswagen Polo.
The strategy took three years of planning and prototyping to complete and they entitled it ‘Project Bobcat’. Finally, in 1975, the original Ford Fiesta was revealed to the world.
The first model was given its name, ‘Henry Ford II’ following its production in Spain, owing recognition to its country of origin. The supermini wasn’t made available in England until 1977. Both Germany and France had availability to their consumers the previous year, 1976.
The Ford Fiesta over the years
Model:Ford Fiesta Mk1
Years of production: 1976 until 1983
Time it took to get from 0-60mph: 19.1 seconds
Top speed: 81mph
Miles per gallon: 41.5
Highlight features:
- It was Ford’s first front-wheel-drive car that was made available across the world.
- It was available as both a three-door hatchback and a three-door panel van.
- It was Britain’s best-selling supermini in the year 1978.
- In 1978, it received the UK Design Council Efficiency Award for ‘exemplary contribution to the reduction of running and maintenance costs’.
- The Ford Fiesta XR2 was a variant of the Ford Fiesta Mk1. Launched in 1980, this particular model boasted:
- The capability to go from 0-60mph in 9.3 seconds.
- The ability to achieve a top speed of 105mph.
- It came complete with a 1.6-litre engine, as well as an anti-roll bar and round headlights.
Model:Ford Fiesta Mk2
Years of production: 1983 until 1989
Time it took to get from 0-60mph: 18.7 seconds
Top speed: 86mph
Miles per gallon: 43.9
Highlight features:
- It was available as both a three-door hatchback and a three-door panel van.
- It was the first time that the Fiesta was made available with a diesel option.
- It featured new wraparound headlights complete with indicators.
- It was the first Fiesta to feature a 5-speed manual gearbox.
- The Ford Fiesta 1.6L XR2 was a variant of the Ford Fiesta Mk2. This particular model boasted:
- A significantly larger body kit than the previous Ford Fiesta XR2.
- By 1986, all versions of the Ford Fiesta 1.6L XR2 were designed with a 40-litre fuel tank. This obviously increased both fuel capacity and range.
Model:Ford Fiesta Mk3
Years of production: 1989 until 1997
Time it took to get from 0-60mph: 17.6 seconds
Top speed: 88mph
Miles per gallon: 49.3
Highlight features:
- It was the first time that the Fiesta was made available with a five-door option.
- As a result, it was available as both a three-door and five-door hatchback, as well as a three-door panel van.
- One of the biggest design changes of the Fiesta Mk3 over the Fiesta Mk2 was that the car’s live beam rear axle was removed and replaced with a semi-independent torsion beam setup.
- It was named Car of the Year by What Car? in 1989.
- The Ford Fiesta RS Turbo was a variant of the Ford Fiesta Mk3. Launched in 1990, this particular model boasted:
- The capability to go from 0-60mph in 7.9 seconds.
- The ability to achieve a top speed of 133mph.
- Stylish 14-inch alloy wheels, a colour-coded rear spoiler and green-tinted glass. An anti-lock brake and ‘Quickclear’ heated windscreen were also optional extras.
Model:Ford Fiesta Mk4
Years of production: 1995 until 1999
Time it took to get from 0-60mph: 11.6 seconds
Top speed: 106mph
Miles per gallon: 44.4
Highlight features:
- It featured a more curved exterior design than previous Ford Fiesta models, as well as an oval grille.
- The interior featured a completely new dashboard design.
- It boasted an entirely new suspension system, on top of an improved chassis which enhanced handling ability.
- It was available as both a three-door and five-door hatchback, as well as a three-door panel van, a three-door high cube panel van and a two-door coupe utility vehicle.
- It was Britain’s best-selling car in the years 1996, 1997 and 1998.
Model:Ford Fiesta Mk5
Years of production: 1999 until 2002
Time it took to get from 0-60mph: 12 seconds
Top speed: 104mph
Miles per gallon: 44.8
Highlight features:
- It was available as both a three-door and five-door hatchback, as well as a three-door panel van and three-door high cube panel van.
- While this version of the Ford Fiesta was deemed the Mk5 in the UK, it was seen as just a facelift of the Mk4 in many other countries.
- It boasted new bumpers and an overhauled wheel design.
- It was Britain’s best-selling supermini in the year 2001.
- The Ford Fiesta Zetec S was a variant of the Ford Fiesta Mk5. This particular model boasted:
- The capability to go from 0-60mph in 9.6 seconds.
- The ability to achieve a top speed of 113mph.
- A 1.6-litre, 16-valve Sigma engine that was able to produce 101bhp.
- An updated suspension system, uprated brakes and stiffer anti-roll bars.
Model:Ford Fiesta Mk6
Years of production: 2002 until 2008
Time it took to get from 0-60mph: 13.7 seconds
Top speed: 103mph
Miles per gallon: 44.9
Highlight features:
- It was available as both a three-door and five-door hatchback, as well as a four-door saloon and a three-door panel van.
- It represented the first time that the Fiesta range had been sold in Asian and Australian markets.
- It featured a dramatic redesign compared to previous Fiesta models. The exterior was more square, for example, while the interior became a lot more spacious.
- It boasted a raft of advanced technology, ranging from automatic windscreen wipers and automatic headlights to power folding mirrors, Bluetooth accessibility complete with voice control and the inclusion of a Trip computer.
- The 2003 1.4 Zetec three-door variant of the Ford Fiesta Mk6 was named What Car? magazine’s Best Used Supermini in 2006.
- The Ford Fiesta ST was one variant of the Ford Fiesta Mk6. Also referred to as the Ford Fiesta XR4 in Australia, this particular model boasted:
- A 2.0-litre Duratec petrol engine that was able to produce 150bhp.
- The inclusion of stylish 17-inch alloy wheels, disc brakes to all of its wheels, unique front and rear bumper designs and comfortable partial leather seats.
- The Ford Fiesta RS Concept was another variant of the Ford Fiesta Mk6. Based on the 2002 Fiesta RallyeConcept vehicle, this particular model boasted:
- An engine that was able to produce more than 180bhp.
- The inclusion of an overstated rear spoiler, stylish 18-inch alloy wheels, cooling vents built into its front bumper, a suspension system that was lowered and stiffened, exhaust tips and white ceramic-coated brake calipers.
Model:Ford Fiesta Mk7
Years of production: 2008 until the present day
Miles per gallon: 47.9
Highlight features:
- It’s currently available as both a three-door and five-door hatchback, as well as a three-door van.
- Inside the Ford Fiesta Mk7, drivers can find a state-of-the-art Ford Sync in-car communications and entertainment system.
- Accessing the Ford Fiesta Mk7 is simple too, thanks to a keyless entry system and the inclusion of a ‘Ford Power’ start button.
- Under the bonnet is an EcoBoost engine that is able to deliver the same amount of power and torque as a larger engine, but with 20 per cent better fuel efficiency and 15 per cent reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
- It has won a host of awards, including:
- Being named What Car? magazine’s Car of the Year in 2009.
- Being named What Car? magazine’s Best Small Car of 2014.
- Being named Best Small Car of 2014 at the CarBuyer Car of the Year Awards.
- Being named Best Supermini of 2014 at the Auto Express Awards.
- Being named Best Used Small Car of 2014 at the What Car? Used Car Awards.
- The Ford Fiesta ST is a variant of the Ford Fiesta Mk7. Launched in 2013, this particular model boasts:
- The ability to go from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds.
- The ability to achieve a top speed of 136mph.
- A 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine featuring ‘overboost’, which enables the car to produce up to 197bhp for 15 seconds.
- A sport styling package that sees the car being presented with stylish 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, a chrome dual exhaust pipe, both front and rear disk brakes and an enhanced suspension system that sees ride height being lowered by 15mm.
- The accolade of being Top Gear’s Car of the Year in 2013.
