Ford Brand Experience Tour in the driving report
Little fiesta quite luxurious
What 2016 started for Ford in the spring is coming to an end two years later. As part of its Ford Brand Experience Tour, the carmaker from Cologne presented its youngest and smallest luxury car. The Fiesta got its 5. Equipment line in the form of the VIGNALE Luxus Line. With the Mondeo, the flagship of Ford Motor Company, not only installed a trim line, but the Vignale line should also be understood as a philosophy with exclusive shopping and service promise. The Ford managers want to address the new concept customers who do not have one and that is "time". The Fiesta now completes the portfolio of the Vignale range and starts with its service at 20.600 Euro.
Small Ford with big ambitions
Ford is currently sending its smallest with 4 equipment lines and a special philosophy in the race to compete for the buyer's favor. The entry-level version is the “Trend” version, in which it is not only used as a first car for beginners at a price of 12.950 euros, but also as a representative second car for the extended family. With its 52 kW (70 PS) petrol engine, it is quite brisk, especially in city traffic. Equipped with power windows at the front, central locking with remote control, MyKey key system with individually programmable second key, speed limiter and electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors with integrated flashing lights, it brings pleasant standards to the small car segment. In addition, there is the IPS safety system with six airbags and five headrests, the Electronic Safety and Stability Program ESP with Hill Start Assist, Lane Assist including Lane Keeping Assist and emergency brake lights. Also on board as standard: Headlight Assistant with day / night sensor and an on-board computer
Fit for the communication area
The name says it all for the next equipment variant. With “Cool & Connect”, the series package includes a manual air conditioning system, rear park pilot system and the voice-controlled communication and entertainment system Ford SYNC 3 with AppLink, Bluetooth interface and a 6,5 inch touchscreen. The exterior mirrors can be folded in electrically and therefore come with ambient lighting. The fog lights also function as a static cornering light. Its world begins in combination with the 1,1-liter three-cylinder at 14.900 euros.
With sporty bonds from the Ford forge, we drive in the "ST-Line" version and its starting price of 17.800 euros. With 17-inch rock-metallic light alloy wheels, special ST-Line bumpers at the front and rear, and side skirts painted in the vehicle color, the Fiesta now emphasizes its dynamic appearance. In the interior, the sporty performance continues. It is fitted as standard with sports seats at the front with very good lateral support, a three-spoke ST-Line leather steering wheel with a flattened bottom end and door sill trims with the “ST-Line” logo and aluminum pads for the pedals. The chassis of the Fiesta ST-Line is sporty and can - with the exception of the basic petrol engine - be ordered with all current engines.
Fiesta nearing completion
According to those responsible for Ford, every second customer chose the “Titanium” equipment line for the predecessor Fiesta model. Accordingly, more features were also used in the current model series. Based on the “trend”, the “Titanium” features 16-inch light alloy wheels in a 10-spoke design, front sports seats with reinforced lateral support and lumbar support on the driver's side, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights and a 3-spoke leather steering wheel. The standard scope of delivery also includes its upper front grille with chrome struts and the chrome decor below the side windows. The Fiesta Titanium starts at 17.050 euros in connection with the 63 kW (85 PS) 1,1-liter three-cylinder, but can also be equipped with a 74 kW (100 PS) or 92 kW (125 PS) EcoBoost turbo gasoline engine with 1,0 .1,5 liter displacement and the 63 liter turbo diesel with 85 kW (88 PS) or 120 kW (XNUMX PS).
With the Vignale in pure luxury
The philosophy of the Ford Motor Company, however, begins with the VIGNALE. The new Fiesta in its luxurious top version rolls out particularly dignified and with a list of standard equipment details. Building on the “Titanium” version, this already starts with 17-inch light alloy wheels and additional chrome decor for the independent radiator grille, the fog lights and the rear bumper with a diffuser. In the interior, the leather-fabric upholstery of the seats offers good comfort, while the LED ambient lighting at the front also bathes the door shelf, the footwell and the cup holders in a soft light. There is also a whole list of assistance systems. Starting with the traffic sign recognition system and the lane assistant including lane keeping assistant to the high beam assistant and windshield wipers with rain sensor up to the Ford KeyFree system. The Ford SYNC 3 system has an eight-inch touchscreen with a screen diagonal of 20,3 centimeters. The interior mirror automatically dims and the luggage compartment floor can be adjusted in two ways. In addition, there are special Vignale services such as a free vehicle wash per month, a preparation service for every inspection and an optional pick-up and delivery service for workshop appointments. Vignale tops its price list at 20.600 euros.
And finally ... With the Fiesta and its 4 equipment lines, the car manufacturer from Cologne presents itself broadly positioned in the small car segment. With the VIGNALE variant, they now put a whole fad on top, which is not very cheap, but service has its price.
Small cars only work without luxury! Pure nonsense, because Ford proves that small cars can also go with luxury.
Text: Stefan Beckmann, Beitragsbild: Manufacturer Picture: Stefan Beckmann and Matthias Luft