New Ford Fiesta Automatic

An auto ‘box is not something the smaller car buyer would tick on the options list very often. In fact by Ford’s reckoning it is something that only around 10% of buyers will opt for in in the UK and Europe. But that hasn’t stopped Ford covering all the bases, so the announcement has come today that the Fiesta will be available with an automatic option on the 1.4 litre Duratec petrol engine in Style+, Zetec and Titanium guises.

Of course, this is not just about catering for the small numbers of Europeans who can’t use their left foot. It is probably about catering for the huge number of Americans who won’t. As we’ve reported, Ford is on a big push to get America to love the new Ford Fiesta, and without an auto option on offer they will be restricting their sales numbers.

Although Ford claim the auto option doesn’t severely impact on performance and economy, the Fiesta 1.4 auto drifts to 60mph in a pretty leisurely 13.9 seconds (12.2 manual) and returns 43.4mpg (49.5 manual). I guess it won’t matter much to those who must have an auto, but 15% poorer economy and 14% slower to 60mph is quite significant. Still, that’s the price you pay for an auto on a little car.

But short of its out and out performance the Durashift is quite a clever little auto ‘box, and does respond well to inputs, offering a smooth change or a sporty pick-up depending on throttle action. And around town it will, for many, be easier and no slower than the manual.

When we reviewed the new Ford Fiesta we concluded it’s a great car, and although we wouldn’t tick the option market ‘Automatic’ on the list, we can’t dispute it fills the needs of a certain type of buyer, so a pragmatic and sensible move by Ford, particularly in light of the big Fiesta push in the States.

The Fiesta 1.4 with the Durashift Auto is available now in the UK from £13,195