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Ford New Zealand will launch its new small Fiesta hatchback in April - but not with the same extravagance Ford in Britain laid on for the car.
The carmaker used British singer and television star Alesha Dixon to take the covers off the Fiesta at a spectacular fireworks display some months ago (see cover photo).
The carmaker backed it up with an advertising and marketing campaign it described as its most ambitious yet.
The car has only been on sale in Britain for a few months and already it has won numerous awards, including car of the year from consumer magazine What Car?, which called it "the perfect car for now".
Editor Steve Fowler said: "The Fiesta is the most complete small car we've ever tested - it's practical enough to be used as a family car, fun enough to be used as a sports car and stylish enough to make the right impression. It's also affordable, cheap to run and kind to the planet."
The Fiesta will start in price from $24,490 when it goes on sale here on April 15, with the choice of manual and automatic gearboxes, 1.6- and 1.4-litre engines and 11 colours.
"The new Ford Fiesta is a small car that compromises on nothing - it has big car features and comfort with small car versatility, fuel economy and price," says Ford New Zealand managing director Trevor Auger.
The company says the Fiesta's 1.6-litre returns combined fuel economy of 5.9 litres/100km and CO2 exhaust emissions of 139g/km, making it considerably more efficient than the outgoing unit.
There is also a 1.4-litre option with a four-speed automatic transmission priced at $25,990. Ford claims fuel economy for this vehicle of 6.5 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 154g/km.
Sheltering the interior of the new Fiesta is a robust body structure Ford claims is 10 per cent stronger than its predecessor. The car has received a maximum five-star crash rating.
Included in the list of safety aids is a knee airbag, a first for a small Ford.
"This list of safety features is extensive and thorough. We are delighted to add another five star safety-rated product to our stable - it complements our Focus, Mondeo and Falcon that all also have five-star ratings," says Auger.
"We are proud to be able to deliver a car to New Zealanders that ticks the boxes in all departments.
"It's highly spec'd to ensure we give customers a vehicle that meets all their needs."
