The history of the Ford Fiesta

I recently mentioned in an article that my first car was a Ford Fiesta.  It was rubbish, but as a Mk1 and my first car you still look back at it with fondness. I was then contacted about an interesting article produced by the Foray Motor Group entitled: “the history of the fiesta“.  This is a cool pictorial history of the Ford Fiesta, which to give its dues has been around since 1976, and not many cars can sat that!

Some of the interesting facts, which us how much cars have come on:

Mark 1 (1976-1983):

0-60mph = 19.1 seconds

41.5 Mpg

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Mark 2 (1983-1989):

0-60mph = 18.7 seconds

43.9 Mpg

Let’s not forget the Ford Fiesta 1.6L XR2 (below), which all the boy racers (including me) wanted back then.

• Had a much larger body kit than the previous XR2;
• Came with a 1.6L CVH engine previously seen in the Ford Escort XR3; and
• In 1986 all models came with a 40-litre fuel tank, increasing fuel capacity and range.

Mark 3 (1987-1993):

0-60mph = 17.6 seconds

49.3 Mpg

• 1 million units were produced in the first two years, giving this model the longest production life of any Fiesta to date.

Ford Fiesta RS Turbo

• Introduced in 1990;
• Based on the XR2i, which first became available in 1989;
• 0-60mph in 7.9 seconds, top speed of 133mph;
• 14-inch alloy wheels, colour-coded rear spoiler, green-tinted glass; and
• Anti-lock brake and “Quickclear” heated windscreen options.

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Mark 4 (1995-1999):

0-60mph = 11.6 seconds (a six second improvement)

44.4 Mpg (a 5 Mpg deterioration)

• Britain’s best-selling car from 1996-98

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Mark 5 (1999-2002):

0-60mph = 12 seconds

44.8 Mpg

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Mark 6 (2002-2009):

0-60mph = 13.7 seconds

44.9 Mpg

Ford Fiesta RS Concept (below)

• This concept car was based on the 2002 Fiesta RallyeConcept
• Featured cooling vents in the front bumper, big rear spoiler, 18-inch alloy wheels, lowered and stiffened suspension, and white ceramic-coated brake calipers and exhaust tips
• Engine produced over 180 bhp

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Mark 7 (2009-present):

0-60mph = 12.5 seconds

47.9 Mpg