Ford Fiesta becomes double winner at What Car? awards
Ford were celebrating on Wednesday night (January 8th) after it was revealed two varieties of its Fiesta model had scooped titles in the annual What Car? Car of the Year awards.
The Ford Fiesta is already on of the most popular vehicles models available in the UK and the latest success proves the quality of the vehicle and its siblings deliver.
It is the latest accolade the model has picked up, after securing 15 other significant awards for itself or the ST version during 2013.
The standard Fiesta has now been named Best Small Car by What Car? while the ST has picked up the title for Best Hot Hatch.
It was the 1.0T 100 EcoBoost Zetec 5dr that drove away with the former award. The EcoBoost engine has been wowing drivers and motoring experts alike, thanks to its uncompromising performance in the face of minimal emissions.
According to editor-in-chief of What Car? Chas Hallett, there is currently no other car in its class than can compare to the Fiesta when it comes to ride-style and handling.
Elsewhere, the ST-2 once again proved its incredible capabilities with a win in the Best Hot Hatch category.
“The Fiesta ST is a total and utter triumph. It’s too soon to tell whether it will join the ranks of the hot hatch legends but we certainly wouldn’t bet against it,” Mr Hallett said.
Ford has now achieved this particular award on two separate occasions, with the 250PS Focus ST claiming the title in 2013.
This is the vehicle that has already achieved the Top Gear, Sun Motors and The Scotsman Motoring Awards Car of the Year title, in addition to further hot hatch gongs.
Ford of Britain chairman and managing director Mark Ovenden said: “Ford is rightly proud of Fiesta’s remarkable sales achievements, and also of the exceptional number of industry awards it continues to collect. The demand for new Fiesta means one is sold every 30 seconds during business hours.”
The ST is powered by a 180PS, 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine that is capable of 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds, with a top speed of 139mph.
It features, among other things, performance-tuned steering, suspension, brakes and enhanced Torque Vectoring Control, in addition to Ford MyKey, SYNC with Emergency Assistance and Recaro sports seats.
The model is an extremely responsive, fun to drive, and is very economical for a car that delivers such impressive performance.
In addition to all the performance benefits, the Fiesta range is also exceptionally safe - offering drivers that little bit of peace-of-mind when behind the wheel.
The latest Euro NCAP ratings for the car gave it a five-star score, putting it as one of the best performers in its segment.
It is also available in manual or automatic transmission, offering drivers exceptional choice when it comes to purchasing.
After triumphing so significantly in 2013, the What Car? awards show the Fiesta is looking to continue its momentum into the new year. Just what will it achieve next?
By Sebastian Turkenburg