Photo gallery: Ford Fiesta EconeticUpside
We first saw the Ford Fiesta Econetic at this year's Melbourne Motor Show. Half a year later, Ford has released all the pertinent details: it will go on sale on 1 December 2009, at a price of AU$24,990 drive away, significantly undercutting the AU$40k Prius. Critically for headline writers, it's been officially rated as more fuel efficient than the Toyota's hybrid Prius.
At first glance the Econetic looks like any other Fiesta, but peer closely and you'll notice a more aerodynamic set of bumpers, lowered suspension and low rolling resistance tyres. Inside there's an eco-tuned five-speed manual gearbox paired with a shift light which, unlike the kind found in sports cars, flashes green when it's the optimum time to change up for improved fuel efficiency. Weight has been kept down, with the spare tyre being junked in favour of an emergency inflation kit.
Peer beneath the bonnet and you'll find a reworked version of Ford's 1.6-litre turbo-diesel (66kW/200Nm), which when combined with all the other details nets a fuel combined economy rating of 3.7L/100km — 4.6L/100km in the city and 3.2L/100km on the highway. By comparison, the Toyota Prius has received a 3.9L/100km combined rating in the same testing — 3.9L/100km in the city and 3.7L/100km on the highway. Although the new Prius has the edge in CO2 emissions — 89 grams of CO2 per kilometre versus 98g/km in the Fiesta.
Downside
The Fiesta Econetic is only available in five-door form. While you'll also have to do without alloy wheels or the option of an automatic, you do get a six-speaker audio system with USB and auxiliary inputs, traction control, Bluetooth hands-free, cruise control, and front, side and knee airbags.
Outlook
The more high economy cars that make their way down under the better, especially ones that are as affordable as this Fiesta.
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