This isn’t something I do lightly – choosing a car that doesn’t necessarily give me the usual thrill of excitement for this year’s Car of the Year. However, I didn’t think I could justify picking anything else, given the range of buyers that this model will appeal to. Without further ado, the Car of the Year 2008 is none other than the new Ford Fiesta 2008.
The new Fiesta is a car for just about everyone. Whether you want a budget model (under £9k) or a top of the ranger, there’ll be something to appeal. You see, this super mini just about has everything that you could possibly want in a car. Granted, it is small, but then that is surely a plus in today’s environmentally aware times?
Let’s talk about the looks first of all. The new Ford Fiesta (08 on) is more than just a facelifted model. This is a car that will shame most others on the road by looking extremely contemporary – yet without anything to mark it out as dated in a few years time. The lines are clean and it looks purposeful when on the road. It even looks fresher than the Fiat 500 and Renault Twingo.
Naturally for a car that will have such a wide buyer profile, there’s literally an engine to suit everyone. If you want to go for something economical, then be my guest. You’ll love the 78mpg you’ll get from the ECOnetic version, whilst those wanting more grunt could look to the 1.6 litre. There are also diesel versions too and no doubt an ST version in the future.
Handling is great on the new Fiesta – the car is agile, the steering is precise and you’ll find it a real doddle to control. If you’re in town then you might find the ‘stall control’ useful, whilst if you’re on the motorway then don’t worry – you don’t have the usual problem of a small car here – the Fiesta will do the miles no problem.
Safety of course should be high on everyone’s agenda, and it has been for Ford here. The new model has a 5 star Euro NCAP rating, making it extremely safe indeed. On top of that, an alarm, immobiliser and remote central locking come as standard, so you get some toys too.
So, lots of plus points there. I don’t want you to go away feeling a little annoyed at the Car of the Year 2008 – I really want to sell this idea to you. The Fiesta is a global model – for very good reason. I’m absolutely convinced that once again, Ford have got the formula right. Everything about this car (from it not being too small a super mini, up through to the wide engine choice) is fettled.
With the economy being the way it is, you’ll also love to note that insurance groups are cheaper than ever before for this car and engines are generally all-round more efficient. Again, what’s not to like? Perhaps to sum up this review best of all, we should consider what Clarkson showed on national TV – that was, of course, the fact that the new Ford Fiesta can give the run-around to a hugely powerful Corvette – when in a shopping centre.
Overall, the Ford Fiesta is a proper car for grownups, learner drivers, those wanting something cheap to insure, those wanting a cool ride, the old, the young – well, just about anyone really. This is why the award for Car of the Year 2008 could not be given to anything else. Economy, style, handling, dynamics and a price that won’t rip money out of your wallet like there’s no tomorrow. Ford, we salute you.
Leave a Reply