Indian market Ford Fiesta Classic slots below the new one

The current Ford Fiesta sedan will be unveiled in India today, where it will take on cars like the Honda City and VW Vento (Polo sedan). But there are plenty of sales to fight for below this price segment, where Toyota’s Etios and the Maruti Swift Dzire play in. So instead of pensioning off the old Fiesta sedan, Ford has decided to give it a new name – Fiesta Classic – and position it below the new Fiesta.

No Kinetic Design going on here, but the Fiesta Classic doesn’t look too bad with its square cut lines and small scale Focus sedan look. The front design adopts the “mouth” of the new Fords while the rear looks a bit like the Proton Saga. In fact, this 4,282 mm long, 1,686 mm wide Ford’s footprint is largely similar to the Saga as well. The proportions are certainly better than some hatch turned sedans on sale today.

Indian market Ford Fiesta Classic slots below the new one

The Fiesta Classic is powered by two engines – a 1.6 Duratec petrol and a 1.4 Duratorq diesel. The gasoline engine puts out 101 PS and 146 Nm, while the 8-valve SOHC TDCi unit makes 68 PS and 160 Nm from 2,000 rpm. Sounds paltry, but the oil burner should be good enough for a small car – I didn’t have any hardship in a Renault Kangoo diesel with the same amount of twist. The gearbox is a five-speed manual.

Indian market Ford Fiesta Classic slots below the new one

Ford says that “a leading automotive magazine” tested the Fiesta Classic in a cross country drive and the diesel delivered 30 km/l while the petrol did 20 km/l. Even if you deduct 5 km/l to compensate for realistic use, it’s still quite good. The petrol variant starts at Rs. 549,030 while diesel models are from Rs. 648,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Indian market Ford Fiesta Classic slots below the new one

The Classic should be a welcome budget saloon for the Indian market, as it’s tried and tested, familiar, and economical to buy and run. I like the fact that there’s always a diesel option in budget segments, something we don’t get to enjoy here in Malaysia.

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