Ivan Vicario Martin
The Ford Fiesta is going to stay one step away from completing five decades on the market. On October 26, 2022, the oval brand announced that it would stop producing this coming month of June, disappearing a mythical denomination in the brand. To say goodbye as it deserves, we have decided to make this comparison of two Ford Fiesta. The first of them is a MKI 1.1 Ghia from 1981, to which we will oppose a ST-Line X 1.0 EcoBoost MHEV 155 HP. This is the last press unit that Ford Spain has, since, logically, it has been withdrawing all of them.
Much has changed since, in 1976, the Ford Seafood It began to be manufactured in the Valencian town of Almusafes. Starting with the segment in which our two protagonists are active. original model could be perfectly used as a family car, as it was in many cases. The modern Fiesta is a utility vehicle that no one would buy for a similar use. And that, if we stick to its dimensions, it is bigger in all of them.
And it is that these are bad times for utilities in Europe, which they have gone from being authentic best sellers to being progressively cornered by SUV fashion. The Ford Fiesta has been one of the first to say goodbye, but there are more models in danger of suffering the same fate.
It is better not to anticipate events, we are going to focus on the comparison at hand, which not only will teach us the differences between the first and last generation of the beloved Fiesta. It will also help us to see how the automotive industry has evolved since 1976, because there is no doubt that the leap has been sky-high.
THE ORIGINAL
Ford I had already been in Spain, so our country was one of the options when, at the beginning of the 70s, it looked for a location to set up a factory in which to build its future utility vehicle, initially known as Bobcat. Although, at that time, the American firm already had factories in both Great Britain and GermanyBoth ended up being discarded. The English one because of the high level of labor unrest that it experienced and the German one because of the price of the mark, which would reduce the export benefits of a small car. Subsequently, the model would be assembled in those countries.
Finally, the new Seafood ended up being produced in Spain, a country with moderate salaries, but very efficient. In addition, it had good infrastructures and a solvent currency. The Valencian town of Almussafes was chosen and the production plant was inaugurated in 1976, at the same time that car manufacturing began. Obviously, in the choice of the name, the place where it was going to be manufactured weighed heavily. Curiously, General Motors had registered the name "Fiesta" -he had used it to name the station wagon versions of the Oldsmobile 88-, but allowed his competitor to use it.
It was Henry Ford II himself who gave green light to a project that intended to compete with the Renault 5 or the Fiat 127, authentic best sellers at that time. In this way, it was necessary to follow the “all in front” concept, which gave such good results in terms of habitability and behaviour. The design was the work of Tom Tjaarda at Ghia, who created an exterior with clean lines, but without a doubt attractive. The interior stood out both for the finishes and for the materials.
TYPE
Initially offered with two 4-cylinder mechanics of 957 and 1.117 cm3, with the same diameter and different strokes, contrary to what is usual. The smallest was available with two different compression ratios (8,3 and 9,0 to 1), which meant two powers of 40 and 45 hp. For its part, the 1.1 mounted by our protagonist yielded 53 CV. There were also two gear ratios, the longest for the 45 CV and the short one for the 40 and 53 CV.
The available finishes were the base or simply Fiesta, the L, the S and the Ghia. In the latter, the factory equipment was very abundant -we'll come back to it- and offered many fewer options than the rest.
We would have to wait a bit to see the arrival of the sportiest versions, the 1300 S and SS, which had 66 CV. They were born with the intention of competing with models like the Renault 5 TS. The icing on the cake it would be the remembered XR2, already with a 1.6 engine and 83 CV that made the Fiesta a very serious device. Suffice it to say that it reached 100 km/h in 9,5 seconds and its tip exceeded 170 km/h.
The Fiesta MKI received a slight update in 1981, shortly before being succeeded by the second generation in 1983. Until then, almost three million units had been produced of a model that was a complete success throughout Europe from its appearance.
BRIEF HISTORY
The second generation of the Ford Fiesta It was on sale from August 1983 to early 1989.. It continued to have the XR2 version as the top of the range, but perhaps more interesting was the incorporation, for the first time, of a diesel engine with a 1.6 engine. In some markets, even a continuous variator automatic change was offered, which was not very successful. The model maintained its idyll with the market and in 1989 it reached 4,5 million units sold.
Between 1989 and 1997, the Ford Fiesta MKIII was on the market, which It was a notable leap forward from its predecessors.. The mechanical range was extended and improved, with the version RS Turbo of 133 CV crowning the catalogue. Following the fashions of the time, the offer of diesel engines skyrocketed. The Courier van was made on the basis of this generation.
We will not go into much detail about the next generations, as they have not yet reached the classic threshold. yes we will say that the Fiesta MKIV made its appearance in 1996 and was on sale until 2002. He took over the MKV, which remained on the market until 2008. The penultimate generation of the model remained on the market until 2017, when it took over from our second protagonist. This Fiesta stopped being assembled in Almusafes in June 2012. The total number of units produced of all the evolutions exceeds 22 million, which gives an idea of the popularity of the Fiesta. Only the F pick-up and the Escort surpass it in Ford's history.
THE FORD FIESTA MKVII
The latest generation of the oval brand utility was presented at the end of 2016 and, for the first time, it did not occur in our country. It has only been being assembled at the Cologne (Germany) factory. It is the most technological interpretation of the Fiesta, how could it be otherwise. Besides, distributed the range in four very different versions. The Vignale is the luxury one, the ST-Line, the sporty one, the Titanum is more elegant, while the Active points to a profile Crossovers. It had bodies of three and five doors.
The car grew in all dimensions and It represented a leap in quality compared to its predecessor, although sales did not accompany. The fault was not his but the dynamics of a market that prioritizes SUVs. The ST sports versions reach 200 CV of power in this generation, while, for the first time, a slight hybridization associated with the 1.0 EcoBoost engine is incorporated. It also had a LPG variant at the time, discontinued at the beginning of the year.
Currently, already Only the Active and ST-Line versions remain for sale, in addition to the ST. The first with the 1.0 hp 125 EcoBoost three-cylinder engine and the sportiest with the 1.5 EcoBoost, also with three cylinders.
OUR GUESTS
The time has come to present the two protagonists of this comparison. The first of them, It is a Ford Fiesta 1.1 Ghia, registered on March 21, 1981, that is, he just turned 42 years old. He has been in the same family ever since, where he has passed from brother to brother. The last to inherit it was David, who used it until about twenty years ago, when the car was thoroughly restored. It was painted and upholstered, but always respecting the specifications of the time. In fact, It even retains its original radio cassette..
The wheels are also his, quite similar to those of the Granada, although the latter were 13 inches. Only the rear-view mirrors change, since it corresponded to a metal one on the left. When going to look for another one for the right side, David could only find some black ones and decided to paint them in the color of the body. The rest of the car is as fresh from the factory..
At his side we find the latest interpretation of the Fiesta, version 5p ST-Line X 1.0 EcoBoost MHEV 155 HP in an attractive Berry Red color. It already incorporates the last makeover of the model that, for example, has given more prominence to the grill, including the Ford oval in the center of it. It has a slight hybridization that guarantees the much desired DGT ECO label today.
The equipment is very complete and, as it is an ST-Line, It has a firmer and sportier suspension setting. The height to the ground has also been lowered by 10 millimeters.
FACING
We drive the modern Fiesta to the Guadalajar town of Hontanares, where its predecessor awaits us. Well, one next to the other, I have to confess that I expected that, in a first impression, the difference in size between the two would be greater. It is not like that, perhaps because the current model camouflages part of its volume in more rounded shapes. With everything, It is half a meter longer and it wins widely in the rest of the dimensions, as you can see in the technical data sheets that we publish at the end of the article.
Everything stems from a difference in wheelbase of 207 mm, which is not only transferred to the outside, but is also noticeable inside. Especially in the front seats, well, curiously, behind, both one and the other have a correct and quite similar space. If we look at the trunks, the Fiesta MKVII announces a capacity of 311 liters, and, although I have not been able to find said measurement in the classic -it was not announced in the catalogue-, at first glance it can be deduced that the figure will be the same if not better.
It is evident that in the Fiesta MKI the use of space is better. This is because the modern model is equipped with the latest advances in safety, both active and passive. It is something that is also transferred to the scale, since the classic weighs 730 kilograms compared to 1.213 kg again. The size of the tires -12 inches versus 17- is another example of how cars have changed in recent decades.
AT THE CONTROL OF THE FIESTA MKI
As we have advanced, this Ghia version comes fully equipped. Includes laminated windshield, halogen headlights, mahogany-like dashboard, front seats with headrests, Verona velvet upholstery or door panel trim. Outside, it has chrome moldings on the windows, rubber shields on the bumpers, the Ghia badge identifying the version or a special lock on the tailgate.
Among the optional could be ordered with steel or glass sunroof, vinyl roof, wash headlights, right mirror, metallic paint or wheels to a greater extent. As we can see, both the standard equipment and the one that could be ordered separately is of an excellent level, especially if we think that we are talking about a utility.
Once we got on the classic Fiesta, driving position is excellent. Perhaps a little upright, which, in any case, favors external visibility that is very good. The seats are anatomical, better than the basic ones, and the dashboard is more complete. It includes, for example, a lap counter, an element that was not present in the bootable versions. they like and a lot the imitation mahogany inserts that add a touch of sophistication to the dashboard.
We turn the ignition key and it starts first time. You can tell that David takes care of it with care and has it in perfect working order. from the first meters It shows a very lively walk, more than what its 53 CV of power could indicate, of course. The key is the weight, very contained and that we circulate with a single passenger. It is a very pleasant car to use, which is not excessively noisy and which allows driving in current traffic without excessive problems.
AN EXCELLENT CHANGE
Gearbox It is outstanding, both for routes and for staggering, although sometimes we miss a fifth gear. It will be more habit than anything else. The pedals go together a bit, but it's not really a complication. On twisty roads, even the lack of steering assistance is not a problem. The brakes respond in a timely manner, at least in rational use, the front discs are appreciated.
Although it announces a top speed of 145 km/h, which logically we have not tested, the truth is that allows cruisers to circulate comfortably above 100 km/h. In his time, he was said to be a bit of a spender, and he certainly is compared to his modern day brother. Technology is not always the ogre they want to sell us.
The truth is that I get off this Ford Fiesta 1.1 Ghia With a smile from ear to ear, sorry that the work day is over? It is a round car and it is not difficult to understand the reason for its overwhelming success, which marked the beginning of the long history that we have already told. Who else who least remembers the "Forito" of a relative or acquaintance, in my case that of Daniel, father a friend of the same name who was also this green color.
Luckily, it is still possible to find some good units, although It is not a car that has attracted excessive attention to collectors in comparison, for example, with the Renault 5. Its luck has been more equal to that of the SEAT 127, which has fallen into a discreet background, although everyone remembers both cars with great affection.
AT THE CONTROL OF THE FIESTA MKVIII
Compared to its ancestor, the current model is on another level. Inside It is a waste of technology, as required by current fashions. Everything is designed to make life easier for the driver, although sometimes there is an excess of information and customization possibilities. All in all, the analog air conditioning or a multimedia screen that is in a high position is appreciated so that we do not have to divert our eyes excessively from the road.
The general feel of the car is a bit harsh, in keeping with its sporty spirit, with an excellent chassis set-up. This is one aspect in which Ford never fails. Contributing to this are the low-profile 17-inch wheels. The 3-cylinder engine is a bit noisier than a 4-cylinder would be, for example, but it's very nice to use. I have had the opportunity to try it on other models of the brand and, personally I like it a lot. I know that many of you may not be convinced, I recommend that you give it a try.
Of course, the finishes and materials are very good, in this case with the corresponding sporty ST-Line touch. The driving position is excellent and the seats take the body very well. Once under way, the harder suspensions are noticeable, which takes away a bit of comfort, although, in return, they will give us a plus when we enter a twisty road. Can choose between Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes, depending on the road or even our state of mind.
In town, it is a bit uncomfortable going over bumps and potholes, but in general it develops as a lot of ease. It is logical, given its size. Thanks to its ECO label, we can almost forget about any restriction on movement. By the way, the electrical system is sometimes noticeable when recharging.
RUN AND A LOT
On the highway we can do cruises at a very good pace, although it is the twisty terrain where you can enjoy the most. It does not get to be the ST version of 200 CV, but the 155 CV of our protagonist go a long way. Here we switch on the Sport mode and the real fun begins. He rides like a demon and turns and brakes beyond what logic dictates.
It is here where the difference with its predecessor is most noticeable, and not only because of the benefits, but also because of the multiple personalities it adopts. modern technology and driving modes allow the modern Ford Fiesta to be a 3-in-1. In Eco mode it is a saving model; in Normal mode, a true slot machine, and, in Sport mode, it is a small sports car that allows whims beyond what we might think.
It is a pity to think that such a model has to disappear due to the happy hobby of SUVs that, in addition, they are the opposite of the ecology that they want to sell us. The Church has doctors, whoever writes this does not understand anything, of course.
CONCLUSION
We can only end with one sentence: the Party is over. Soon, the Focus will also leave the market. Perhaps the Fiesta denomination will be recovered in the future, as was already done with Pumabut it will no longer be the same.
Along the way, we have a succession of fantastic utilities that were born in Valencia to expand throughout the world. It was nice while it lasted.
Photographs by Jesus Maria Izquierdo
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS |
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| Ford Fiesta 1.1 Ghia | Ford Fiesta 5p ST-Line X 1.0 EcoBoost MHEV 155 HP | |
| Motor | transverse front | transverse front |
| Displacement | 1.117 cm3 | 998 cm3 |
| Cylinders | 4 in line | 3 in line |
| Diameter x stroke | 74 x 65 mm | 71,9 x 82 mm |
| Maximum power | 53 hp/5.700 rpm (DIN) | 155 CV to 6.000 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 8,2mkg/3.000rpm | 220 Nm to 3.000 rpm |
| Meals | Ford unibody vertical carburettor | direct injection, turbo, intercooled |
| Compression | 9,0:1 | 10,0:1 |
| Fuel Efficiency: | Petrol | Petrol |
| Electric motor | - | Transversal front of 16 CV. 48V |
| Battery | - | Lithium ion battery. 0,38 kWh |
| Traction | Front | Front |
| Gearbox | four speed manual | six speed manual |
| Chassis | self-supporting monocoque | self-supporting monocoque |
| Front suspension | Independent McPherson struts, springs and dampers | Independent McPherson struts, springs and dampers |
| Rear suspension | Rigid axle and panhand bar, springs and dampers | Independent, wheel pulled with torsional element, springs and dampers |
| Address | Zipper | assisted zipper |
| Truck Brake Repair | Discs (front), drums (rear) | 262mm ventilated discs (front), 253mm discs (rear) |
| Length/width/height | 3.565 / 1.567 / 1.314 mm | 4.069 / 1.735 / 1.484 mm |
| Ways | 1.334/1.321 mm | 1.508/1.471 mm |
| Battle | 2.286 mm | 2.493 mm |
| Weight | 730 kg | 1.213 kg |
| Tires | 4,5 x 12” (sheet metal) | 7x17 (alloy) |
| Tires | 145 SR-12 | 205 / 45 R17 |
| Deposit | 34 liters | 42 liters |
| Average | 8,1 l / 100 km | 5 l / 100 km |
| 0-100 km / h | 16,1 s | 8,9 s |
| Maximum speed | 145 km/h | 219 km/h |
| Rel. weight/power | 7,77 kg / CV | 7,82 kg / CV |
| year of presentation | 1976 | 2018 |
| years of production | 1976-1983 | 2018-2023 |
| year unit tested | 1981 | 2022 |
| Quotation/price | Sentimental value | 20.004 Euros |
