Update: European Ford Fiesta pricing announced

Update: The all-new Ford Fiesta has been making the show-car circuit rounds since the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, and already the hot S version, the five-door and the green ECOnetic have been revealed in pictures. In mid-July Ford of Europe revealed the details of the car as it will be sold on the continent, with full powertrain and feature details, and now a report claims the car will be priced from just €11,250 ($16,800) for the entry-level three-door variant.

Pricing for the rest of the lineup begins at €12,000 ($17,965) for the five-door, while the top-of-the-line 'Titanium' trim level will cost at least €14,250 ($21,333), according to Sweden's Auto Motor & Sport. The diesel version of the Fiesta will start at €14,500 ($21,700) for the three-door and €15,250 ($22,800) for the five-door. It too will be available in several trim levels, including Titanium, starting from €16,250 ($24,300).

The 40kg lighter all-new Fiesta sporting two completely new engines, the ECOnetic and the 120hp 1.6L Duratec Ti-VCT petrol engine for the Zetec S model, which gets the car from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 9.9 seconds - not blisteringly fast, but with fuel efficiency of 40mpg (US) (5.9L/100km) and CO2 emissions of just 139g/km, it's not slow either.

Due to start rolling off the factory floor later this month, with the first customer cars delivered in October, Ford is betting heavily on the small car. A huge range of trims - Studio, Style, Style Plus, Zetec, Zetec and Titanium mean there's a configuration for most tastes, ranging from bare-bones econo-car to luxurious mini-hatch. A range of three other petrol engines, climbing in size from 1.25L to 1.4L and in power from 60hp to 96hp, the biggest of this lot is also available with an automatic transmission.

To help the little engines get off the line with a minimum of incident, Ford has added a feature called 'stall prevention' that enhances low-end torque by altering the ignition maps at take-off. A 1.6L Duratorq TDCi engine offers the power for the ECOnetic, with a lowered suspension, coated particulate filter and tuned ECU helping the car deliver it's 99g/km CO2 rating. A 1.4L Duratorq diesel is also available.

The result of these new engines and features is a 22% improvement in 0-100km/h (0-62mph) times and 14% improvement in in-gear acceleration for stronger passing performance. The gains are aided by the lighter weight as well.

The stiffer body structure, up-rated power and aggressive styling are a combination to make the Fiesta a prime buy for those interested in a fun-to-drive hatch. Enhanced safety and a wide range of features usually reserved for larger, more upscale cars such as a capless fuel filler, keyless entry and the 'Ford Power' start button are all standard. Storage space is good for a small car, with the boot capable of swallowing 295L of cargo. Power door mirrors are also standard across the range. Special features on the Zetec and Titanium packages include an aesthetic lighting package that provides interior accent lighting in a red glow. Available options on all cars include automatic projector headlamps, automatic windscreen wipers, Ford’s Human Machine Interface computer system with an 89 mm (3.5in) screen and cruise control.

Designed in Europe but intended for the global market, the new Fiesta is being heralded as one of Ford's most important models ever. According to Marin Buela, executive director of small cars for Ford of Europe, "[The] all-new 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.”

Original: After a string of concepts cars and rumors of a possible name change Ford has finally revealed its new compact hatch in production trim and confirmed the car will carry the Fiesta nameplate. This is the version that will sell in Europe, Asia-Pacific and South Africa and will first enter production at Ford’s Cologne manufacturing facility in Germany at the end of the year. The Fiesta is in fact the first major product of Ford’s new global product development process and it will eventually be sold in China and North America, where it will be styled as a sedan.

The car will be on display next month at the Geneva Motor Show and will go sale in three and five-door hatchback body styles by fall in Western Europe. By 2010, the new Fiesta will be on sale across the rest of Europe, Asia, South Africa, Australia and North America in a variety of regionally tailored models derived from the same platform.

As predicted the car gets most of its styling cues from last year's Verve Concept including the trapezoidal grille, angular headlights, raked windshield and fastback profile. But the new Fiesta isn’t just a pretty picture. Blue Oval engineers have worked hard to enhance the ride comfort and isolate road, wind and powertrain noise from the cabin to give the car a more upmarket feel.

One of the key goals during the Fiesta’s development was to maintain the size and weight of the previous model but increase comfort and safety levels, a near impossibility in the auto industry. However, utilizing the same weight saving techniques used by Mazda for its Mazda2 compact, including the use of two different types of steel for the chassis, Ford was able to reach all its original targets.

The Fiesta will initially be available with a range of petrol and diesel engines. Entry-level models will come with a 60hp 1.4L petrol engine and will be followed by a 115hp 1.6L unit. Diesel fans will get two 1.25L units developing 60hp and 80hp respectively. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual or the new Durashift automatic. The cars also come with Ford’s new EPAS electronic steering to help save fuel.

Ford Fiesta Euro-spec

New Ford Fiesta S

2009 Ford Fiesta five-door

2009 Ford Fiesta three-door