At the present time, what’s the most efficient car in Australia? If you answered the smallest Toyota Prius, you’d be wrong! Ford has provided the Australian public with a car that breathes so cleanly and so frugally that it is a clear winner.

Reviewing the Ford Fiesta Econetic was a satisfying and delightful pleasure. We’ll get to some other tasty bits soon, but for now let’s focus on what is at the heart of the Ford Fiesta Econetic – the engine. Let me say, that the 1.6 litre turbo-diesel engine plant is a gem. Like Ford’s bigger diesel power plants, the smallest diesel boasts Duratorq TDCi Common-Rail diesel technology. Smooth and responsive, this very frugal car provides the commuter, and young family, motoring costs that are as low as a Dachshund’s belly. The clean burning efficiency is aided, in part, to a cleverly designed diesel particulate filtering system and cutting edge technology that allows the Fiesta ECOnetic to achieve a fuel consumption rating of 3.7 Litres/100 km.

Superb achievement in holding the CO2 output to just 98 g/km is another example of just how Ford is providing a truly environmentally friendly means of low cost transport.

Taking a seat in the Ford Fiesta Econetic’s funky, modern interior, and taking the car for a short blast down the road, reveals no shortage of sparkle in the ECOnetic drive. It seems that the efficiency of the engine is at no great expense to driving quality or performance.

The little Econetic TDCi engine produces 66 kW of power and 200 Nm of torque. These torque figures are quite phenomenal, and in the real world of hauling kids to school or the family out on a picnic excursion you quickly realise that the Ford Fiesta Econetic is quite up to the task. Efficient power is captured and harnessed to a light, easy to manage, five-speed gearbox, allowing the Ford Fiesta Econetic to glide effortlessly over the road.

Power steering makes parking in the city a breeze, while country jaunts provide the driver with pleasantly weighted and well controlled steering. A taut suspension that is nicely compliant to road undulations help make the Ford Fiesta a comfortable little everyday workhorse.

Room is very good inside the cabin for its class, but obviously large adults will feel a little restricted in the rear over longer periods. Ford has always endeavoured to kit their cars out well, so it was no surprise to see an array of fine features inside the Econetic’s modish cabin. Bluetooth with voice control is a standard item on the list. You have a USB port for playing MP3 files from a memory stick or integrating an iPod. Strong sounds come from a healthy single slot CD player boasting plenty of low down bass. Cruise control, air-conditioning and electric front windows give you an idea that this car is a great car to live with. Controlling a number of the electronics, onboard the car, via an extremely effective voice control system makes evert trip a fun one. The voice control system is superbly simple and logical. A feature I always like on a car – the steering wheel mounted audio controls – make listening to music a safe pass time on any congested city streets.

Ford has ensured that no corners have been cut when it comes to the Ford Fiesta Econetic’s safety credentials. Driver and front passenger airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, side head and thorax airbags, Dynamic Stability Control with Emergency Brake Assist and Traction Control, and an Anti-Lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution means that the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic is one of the better choices in small car safety at the moment.

You must take a look at this one. Style, economy and safety – it’s all there in the new and very frugal Ford Fiesta Econetic.

The current model series includes the:

• Fiesta Econetic 5 door

For anymore information on the Ford Fiesta Econetic, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quotes requests out to our national network of Ford dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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