Ford has finally launched the All-New Fiesta PowerShift Automatic with a price tag of Rs. 8,99,000 (Ex Showroom New Delhi). The 1.5 L Ti-VCT petrol powertrain will help the car deliver fuel economy of 16.97 kmpl. Style and Titanium+ are the two trims launched by the company in the Indian market. With the launch of this car, the company brings its PowerShift dual-clutch six-speed technology in India. Some of the advanced features which the customers will find in the car include Ford Grade-assist, Voice-Control with Bluetooth, Rear Parking sensors, Hill-Launch Assist and Cruise Control.
During the launch of Fiesta PowerShift Automatic, Michael Boneham, president and managing director of Ford India, said, “The all-new Fiesta Powershift Automatic really opens up the segment by making the aspirational become achievable. With class-leading features like Voice-control with Bluetooth, Cruise- control and Rear-parking sensors, it offers our customers the next level of comfort and convenience.”
“We are democratizing technology and going further in our efforts to understand what our customers want. The launch of PowerShift technology offers the best in class comfort, fuel efficiency, performance and affordability. The all-new Fiesta Automatic PowerShift, is the right sedan that befits the desired esteem and attitude of our customers, with zero maintenance transmission and hence low cost of ownership, class-leading features and best-in-class fuel-efficiency.” Boneham added.
A hi-tech transmission system is provided in the Fiesta PowerShift Automatic which can run for 240,000 kms or 10 years without any maintenance requirements. Customers need not even change the gear oil of this car. In order to lower the ownership cost for its repair, operation, and maintenance, maximum effort has been made by the company. By excellent engineering, use of high-grade materials and years of research, the company has been successful in providing low cost of ownership to the customers. Purchasing the new car, customers can get 2-year/ 100,000 km warranty from Ford India
Style variant of the car comes with a price tag of Rs. 8, 99,000 whereas the Titanium+ trim is priced around Rs. 970,300. Style variant of this car is equipped with leather steering wheel, Auto AC, and chrome finisher on deck lid. It has stylist front fog lamps, which delivers an excellent look to the vehicle. These features are also provided in the Titanium+ variant. Some additional features of this top-end variant are alloy wheels, auto power-fold mirrors, leather seats, Bluetooth voice control, chrome front grille and reverse parking sensor. These features provide superb riding experience to the passengers.
Along with 16.97 kmpl fuel economy, the car supplies 100% of the engine power to the wheels. The 1.5 L Ti-VCT petrol powertrain has been developed in Chennai exclusively for Indian condition. In both city and highway, the car delivers excellent handling. This sedan does not have energy-draining oil sumps and heavy torque-converters unlike traditional automatics. Fast and smooth gear shift is resulted due to dry clutch mechanismof theFiesta PowerShift Automatic. EPAS with Pull Drift Compensation technology incorporated in the vehicle can adapt to the changing driving conditions.
It has Cruise Control mechanism, which makes driving convenient. By improved performance and higher mechanical efficiency, competitive advantage will be provided by the PowerShift dry clutch six-speed automatic transmission. Connected feel of a manual transmission can be attained due to the innovative PowerShift transmission. The facility of conventional automatic transmission along with smooth gear shifts will be provided by the new transmission.
BS-IV emission compliant petrol engine of this sedan meets the top emission standards of the country. Hence, the car can attain highest fuel economy. For the safety of the passengers, the company has made arrangement of dual front airbags with ABS and EBD, cruise control, reverse parking sensor, anti-trap driver power windows, and ultra high strength aluminized boron steel body reinforcement.
An intelligent braking system is included in the Fiesta PowerShift unlike conventional automatics. Hill Assist is another advanced feature of this vehicle, which prevents it from rolling back on slopes by holding it for 2.5 seconds. At a normal speed, the car can move downwards on a slope without the requirements to use brakes. This is possible due to the Grade Assist function. Creep Function is another advanced feature of Fiesta Powershift, which helps the vehicle move forward slowly during heavy traffic.
The bold exteriors and kinetic design of this sedan makes it sportier. It has excellent aerodynamics, which can impress any passer-by. The side profile of this car is also quite impressive. Even in still position, the kinetic design of fiesta conveys a sense of movement. Interior of the car is quite amazing, which is reflected in its technologically advanced cockpit. Contrasting colours and boldly sculpted surfaces enhances the look of the interior by many folds. The designers of the company have precisely designed the instrument panel centre stack of this vehicle, which looks like a keypad of a mobile phone.
In order to create a futuristic look of the cabin and drivers controls, the designers of the car took the inspiration from the modern consumer electronics. The new approach is the reflection of Human Machine Interface (HMI) strategy of the car maker. The spacious leather seats, hi-tech electronics, and refined finishing touches together make new Fiesta an exceptional car. In cabin quietness, craftsmanship, and quality, the car also features Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH).
Hands-free control for 6 functions like, CD, USB, iPod, Phone, Radio and Climate control is provided by Intuitive human-machine interface, voice-activated controls. For plug & play, Aux-in Port is provided along with intelligent phone utilities to hold, mute, swap and transfer calls. Sound quality basis seating positions is enhanced by the digital signal processing of the car.
Maximum comfort and superb performance results due to damper stabiliser bars, specially tuned front struts, bushings and rear twist-beam axle. Due to the rigid body structure, car lovers can quietly cruise. High-strength steel is used in more 55 percent of the body. For main areas boron steel reinforcing is done. It also results in maximum protection during side impacts. Front driver and passenger airbags also maximises safety of the occupants. Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) of the new Fiesta PowerShift Automatic will help the driver control the car on slippery roads or during adverse driving condition.
Developed in the Maraimalai Nagar plant near Chennai, the new PowerShift Fiesta is first of the eight new global models, which the company have announced to introduce. Across 35 cities, 45 brand new sales and service outlets have been recently introduced by Ford India expanding it to 230. This is an attempt of Ford to boost the service network in India.
The completely owned subsidiary of Ford Motors Company ‘Ford India’ was established in 1995. Engines and automobiles manufactured in the Maraimalai Nagar facility are supplied by Ford India. Figo, Fiesta Classic, and Endeavour are some other models introduced by the company in India apart from the new global Fiesta.
In India, Ford’s operation includes Global Business Services, which provides numerous services in the field of accounting and finance, IT, global analytics, financial services and automotive operations support, and engineering services. These operations serve the company’s skill teams and business centres globally out of centres in Coimbatore and Chennai. At present 10, 000 professionals are employed with Ford in India.
