Ford launched the Fiesta Classic in Chennai today. Ford have done some minor changes to the Fiesta sedan as we know it and have re-positioned it in a segment below. The Fiesta Classic will be available in six variants. The SXI remains the top-end while new variants – LXI and CLXI (CLXI nomenclature – Remember the 58bhp Ikon CLXI PAS 1.3 with the Endura engine?) have been introduced in the lineup. The EXI and ZXI now stand discontinued.
Petrol 1.6L LXI – Rs 549,030
Diesel 1.4L LXI – 648,000
Petrol 1.6L CLXI – 648,000
Diesel 1.4L CLXI – 689,000
All prices are Ex-Showroom New Delhi
Let’s start from the beginning now.
So you might ask – Why continue to sell the Fiesta when the new one is just around the corner? Well, we have two answers to that question. One – Ford is now adopting the ‘One-Ford’ strategy worldwide in which Ford will sell the same model across the globe with minimal changes (to better suit local tastes). Vehicle naming also forms a part of that and Ford wish the retain the Fiesta nameplate for the all new Fiesta sedan that will debut later this month. As a result, the presence of the existing Fiesta will cause a confusion in the minds of customers. Hence the suffix – ‘Classic’. Ford could have discontinued the Fiesta but they didn’t. This brings us to reason number two – Ford stopped making the Ikon and that leaves a huge gap in their lineup, especially when the new Fiesta is expected to be priced more than the existing Fiesta. To fill that gap, Ford fiddled with the existing Fiesta and re-positioned it a segment below. The Fiesta Classic will now rub shoulders with the Hyundai Accent, Swift Dzire, Toyota Etios , Mahindra Logan and Tata Indigo Manza while the new Fiesta will be squarely aimed against the Honda City, Volkswagen Vento, new Hyundai Verna and the lot.
By reducing its price, Ford wishes to make the Fiesta accessible to those looking at entry level sedans. So, the Fiesta Classic has a lot of pros – Its a proven product with reliable petrol and highly efficient diesel engines and is the benchmark in its segment for ride and handling. Its triumph in TNS Midsize car customer satisfaction study strengthens its point even further. That said, the interiors are now a straight lift from the Figo. That has given the team at Ford some sizable savings but it isn’t a step in the right direction. Interior quality, fit and finish is not upto the standards that earlier Fiesta owners boast about. The poor fit of the glovebox was very evident (check our gallery) and the floor console now sports a tone of light blue. That somewhat livens up the interiors but that’s about it. The doors didn’t shut quite like the older versions either.
However, all said and done, for the price which Ford is asking, The Classic is a solid Value for money sedan. Its only when you take the price into account do you forgive its vices and accept it for what it is. For those who wished the Fiesta remained as such, don’t worry Ford will launch the all new Fiesta sedan next week. That will up the stakes in the mid-size segment but will it be able to beat the big guns?
Ford launches Fiesta Classic
• New stylish Fiesta Classic will continue delivering quality, on-road dynamics and best-in-class fuel efficiency
• Refreshingly new interiors with Ebony and Jasper Blue instrument panel, centre and floor console finished in Graphic Metallic, new seats, trims and a new badge
• New Fiesta Classic starts at Rs. 549,030 (ex-showroom, Delhi)
• Definitively classy and affordable, the Fiesta Classic will be available 3 variants LXI | CLXI | SXI each offering both petrol and diesel engine options
Chennai, India, 7 April, 2011 – Legends are known to reinvent themselves for a new innings. After establishing a strong foothold in the Indian market by winning over 100,000 customers, Fiesta – the legendary sedan from Ford is set to better its success story in the B segment with the new `Fiesta Classic’.
The Fiesta Classic will address a much broader customer base with two new trims – LXI and CLXI. With this the Classic becomes more attractive and affordable with the petrol variants starting at Rs. 549,030 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and diesel variants at Rs. 648,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). In its new form, the much acclaimed sedan will be available to more customers who now can experience the Fiesta Classic’s superior drivability, aesthetic styling and best-in-class fuel efficiency with an all new interior package.
“With a proud and loyal customer base, the Fiesta has been one of the main stays of our product brand portfolio in India. With the elegant Fiesta Classic’s thrilling on-road dynamics, refreshingly classy new interiors and proven frugality we invite more customers to experience and benefit from the additional new variants we are offering with our classy product.” said Michael Boneham, managing director and president, Ford India.
Spirited performance and proven drivability
Spirited performance and proven drivability
The new Fiesta Classic retains its core characteristics of surefooted balance on the road, responsive steering and compliant suspension. Its reputation as a driver’s car is enhanced by its refined, trusty and proven 1.6 Duratec and 1.4 Duratorq powertrains, which deliver on the optimum mix of gripping performance and frugal fuel consumption.
Class and style within customers’ reach
Class and style within customers’ reach
The elegant new Fiesta Classic gets a refreshingly classy new interior with Ebony and Jasper Blue coloured instrument panel, a new centre and floor console finished in Graphic Metallic, new seats with soft feel fabric and enhanced dual-tone door trims. In addition, all the product variants will display the ‘Classic’ moniker and will be available in a striking new body colour – Colorado Red. It is offered in both petrol and diesel engine options across three variants – LXI, CLXI and SXI to suit growing customer requirements.
Reliable as well as frugal
Reliable as well as frugal
Thrilling performance and fuel efficiency are signature attributes of the Fiesta Classic, which customers have been experiencing and enjoying throughout their ownership. This was proven once again by delivering 30 kmpl with the diesel and 20 kmpl with the petrol, as per a cross-country drive undertaken by a leading automotive magazine.
Recently, Fiesta was ranked highest by TNS for Customer Satisfaction in the `Midsize Segment’, in their latest Automotive 2010 India Total Customer Satisfaction (TCS)study.
In addition to the new Colorado Red, customers can choose from the existing six colour options –Moondust Silver, Diamond White, Panther Black, Sea Grey, Morello, and Chill.
Encouraged by the existing Fiesta Classic, Endeavour and The Figo’s remarkable success and popularity, Ford India plans to bring the all-new global premium sedan Fiesta into India later this year. This is part of its strategy to bolster Ford India’s portfolio with eight new models by middle of the decade.
Ford Fiesta, Cars, Ford