First Drive: Ford Fiesta 2013

It's Ford's longest running nameplate, flagshipping the blue oval's small car business since 1976, writes Brian Byrne. In that time, 15m customers have proudly driven Fiestas off forecourts. As starter cars, family cars, downsizing empty nester cars.

Always, the proposition was the same. Smart, affordable, reliable. Providing uncomplicated motoring, largely for uncomplicated people. That's the most of us.

For 2013, Fiesta has been refreshed substantially. It has also been given a raft of new technologies, and new powertrains. And it has become a true global car for Ford, essentially the same car in Europe, America, China, Australia and South America.

The visual changes give it more presence. A completely new front end, with the same new Ford signature grille which was debuted in North America in the Fusion, the car that will be the next Mondeo in Europe. There are also new lights front and rear, and more emphasised character lines along the profile. The bonnet too has been reshaped, with a distinct 'power bulge' down the middle.

They worked around the interior too, though in a more subtle way. Better materials, giving a more premium overall feel to the cabin. Small details like switching the instrumentation lighting from red to the ice blue that has been the theme in larger Fords for some time. And a conscious decision to use metal detailing. "Everything that looks metal is metal," one of their designers said proudly at the recent international launch of the new car.

Ford has been upgrading technologies in its larger cars for some time now, with safety features such as Active City Stop aimed at cutting low-speed collisions in city traffic. Well, that's now available in the Fiesta, and the car will also have the voice-actuated SYNC connectivity system which manages phone, entertainment, and even incoming text messages. It also calls emergency services automatically if the car is in an accident likely to require such help.

The new Fiesta will also be the first Ford car in Europe to offer MyKey, a method of programming spare keys to limit speed, sound levels, and access to other safety systems. The idea gives parents greater control over how their children use the car.

But possibly the most important changes are under the bonnet. In addition to the familiar 1.25 petrol engines which have been the main choice for 70 percent of owners of the current car, the new 1.0 EcoBoost 3-cylinder engines which we have already seen in the Focus and B-MAX are now available in Fiesta.

Across European markets, there will be four variants. The 100hp and 125hp turbocharged units we have already sampled, and Fiesta-only versions which are non-turbo and which output 65hp/85hp respectively. All offer the same economy based around CO2 emissions of 99g/km. In addition, the new 1.5 diesel which debuted in the B-MAX is also offered.

For Ireland, the 65hp 1.0 will be in the lineup when the car arrives in showrooms over the next few weeks. There will also be 60hp/82hp versions of the familiar 1.25 petrol units, a 1.6 petrol auto, and the 1.5 diesel. The turbo Ecoboosts will be available to special order.

Price details of each aren't yet officially released, but the entry price of the range at €15,550 is for the 60hp 1.25, while we believe the 1.0 will be maybe €250 or so more. There will be three specifications, standard, Zetec and Titanium. Common specifications include body coloured bumpers, electric front windows and mirrors, central locking, hill launch assist, and seven airbags. MyKey is part of the Zetec package, and the Titanium gets its own special alloys, heated windscreen, aircon, a centre console with armrest and an alarm.

I had a couple of hours in a 125hp EcoBoost version this week in mucky weather south of Rome, on a route of motorway and hairpin-accessed hills. In the first instance, I was reminded just how good a car the Fiesta is in itself. Secondly, with that particular engine it has a sparkling performance and unequalled low down torque all the way from 1,400rpm-4,000rpm that offers a joyous driving experience regardless of conditions.

I'm really curious to see what the smaller output versions of this engine do in Fiesta, and hope to find out soon in Ireland. Until then, put this new version of a very favourite small Ford on your consideration list if you might be in the market in 2013.