Before you get your hopes up on seeing that this sixth-gen facelift happens to be a stick shifter and is tucked away in the JPJ Putrajaya carpark, and might therefore be a 1.0 EcoBoost manual, it’s not – this Ford Fiesta facelift is a 1.5 Ti-VCT model.
Regular pix contributor Anol Alias spotted the Arctic White B299 earlier in the week, and by the looks of it the car has been around for a while, looking a tad weathered (it’s a mid-2013 production batch unit). No idea why it has suddenly popped up to sight – the only thing that would explain it would be type approval.
Could it be that there are plans to introduce a stick-shift baseline Fiesta model like in the past, with the pre-facelift 1.4 LX? If it does come about, expect the manual 1.5 to be bare-boned, and I mean bare-boned.
This particular B299 looks to be an Australian entry-level Ambiente trim specification unit (curiously enough, Ford Thailand is still advertising the pre-facelift Fiesta 1.5 and 1.4 variants).
The cues that give it away as such include 15-inch steel wheels with full covers, no front foglamps, manual air-conditioning – there’s not even a single switch button on the steering wheel, which also happens to be missing any silver-accented garnish. You can probably forget about it having a Safety Pack and the accompanying seven airbags, for sure.
Closer to reality is the 1.0 EcoBoost model in its six-speed dual-clutch guise – we hear the debut will be sometime in April. No, we haven’t heard if there are plans to bring in a stick-shifter version for that – unlikely, unless we get an Oz-spec car. The manual 1.0 EB isn’t sold in Thailand, the four-door Titanium and five-door Sport hatch only available with the Getrag 6DCT250.
Read our Ford Fiesta facelift test drive reports on the 1.5 Sport and 1.0 EcoBoost.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
i’m liking this
Finally a manual. Every other Fiesta always breakdown because of the dual clutch problems.
Ford is famous for breaking down.
Are u sure Ford is still famous for breaking down?? Go update urself Man ,its 2014 alrd
Are you sure? My 2005 Ford Lynx RS still running good. No engine problem or gear problem.
hey another Lynx RS owner! Mine’s running good too!
P/S: ours shouldn’t break down ler.. we use conventional 4-speeder…
Ford is old story.
in American Consumer Report 2013.
5 out of 10 Top Least Reliable Cars
are Ford.
Mainly thanks to Ecoboost that helped them for award.
the problematic fords are from the thai plant. other than that all is good
Not my fiesta.
The dual.clutch system works fine.
But the steering rack does produce some klak klak sound. This will be my 3rd repair.
But to hell with that… it is a fun car to drive. Worth every penny paying the monthly installment
Hm, but previously the cheaper Fiestas had more airbags than the more expensive ones…
SDAC should consider the Ecoboost with a manual instead of this. For enthusiast who cannot afford the ST.
Correct. At least there is a manual transmission equipped cili padi (1.0L Ecoboost) Fiesta as an option.
Another cheaper option for Fiesta.
selling manual with so little accessories yet lament the lack of interest toward manual…in other countries even manual offers with high spec…
they will never listen.accept it,move on.its a losing battle
Should’ve offered Focus 2.0 manual also..
Only old man afford to buy 2.0. At this age man doesn’t want to drive MT…For young boy they interested to buy MT but with low spec. money constraint…No point for Ford to offer MT
Haha..wrt conventional AT, Malaysian but not all are either:
1. Lazy – “cannot tahan la changing gears, traffic jam every day”
2. Lembik – “penat la step on clutch pedal during traffic jam”
3. Bollock – “oh Vios FC very good. Save money. No need MT”
4. Arse – “MT only for young boy. Money constraint”
So which category are u guys in?
Oh btw I’m driving stock MT Kelisa…
Well driving MT is fun if you have a powerful car engine or atleast a good power-to-weight car. But if u have just a weak standard one you will endup swearing, blabering and tiring yourself at the traffic jam, start-stop, steep hills or at the mountainous trails. Im an MT lover myself
manual only for fun car. for city car..i prefer auto. but having both tranny in your garage is good.
I will not buy lousy car with Manual.
give me at least 200hp with manual.
Not kelisa with manual.. please.
For hard drivers.. I like.. keep it light.. no need so much accessories.. I just like to drive hard.
And risk other motorists. Want to drive hard and kill yourself, go track la in your tofu car.
tq anol alias…u r cool…
Why must a manual transmission cars in Malaysia must be in the ‘cheapskate’ variant? Like no front fog lights, no this, no there.
Why don’t just offer us a full-spec car but with manual transmission?
it’s the same question I was about to ask. Stupid mentality. They assume manual buyers can’t afford those stuff…
couldnt agree more.
like come on laa..
steel rims???
my mt stock standard kelisa gxi also comes standard with rims ok?
and i am talking about the year 2007.
i’d prefer safety spec than alloy rim. it’s ok with steel rim as long as they provide good safety spec.
well done ford!
i give up on the 6 airbags too, apparently, their focus group prefer shiny buttons and fancy colors over airbags
Is D sticker refer to diesel model as this also manual model….
the only manual gear import car left
Tipu…
Mazda MPS
Renault Megane
Honda CRZ
Proton Inspira? Engine/Transmission CBU Japan, Proton tada kacau.
fd2r summore
focus st!
Apsal nampak kereta ni dalam gambar kualiti macam proton je? ke mata aku yang spero?
material might look the same. but the differences is fittings and finishing. no obvious gap..no misaligned gap..
@Anthony Lim, based on the VIN number, that’s from the “B299 MCA APA” Vehicle Line, Territory is “West Malaysia”. That model (in LHD form) has been part of the Philippine lineup since June 2013. It’s actually not that bare for a base model, it has full power features (windows, locks, side mirrors) and comes with dual airbags and ABS. In the Philippines, the Fiesta is offered in 5 trims and two body styles, the 1.5 Ambiente Manual (sedan and hatch), 1.5 Trend Manual & Powershift (sedan and hatch), 1.5 Titanium Powershift (sedan only), 1.5 Sport Powershift (hatch only), and 1.0 EcoBoost Sport+ Powershift (hatch only).
PS: The Australian-spec Ambiente has steering wheel mounted audio & phone controls and silver trim (SYNC is standard)