2011 Ford Fiesta India launch update

Ford is planning to launch the next generation Fiesta sedan (code named B299) in India. Interestingly, the company may likely re-badge the current Fiesta sold in India as Ford ‘Fiesta Classic’ when the new model is launched.

Updated 14 April 2011: The new Ford Fiesta is now here! Read 2011 Ford Fiesta unveiled at New Delhi. The Fiesta is directly positioned against the Honda City and the Volkswagen Vento – and we think there is a good chance that it could happen. Click on link above for a photo gallery!

Update 22/2/2011: Ford has confirmed that the 2011 Fiesta is coming to India this year.

New Fiesta sedan Looks

The B299, which bears the new Ford’s global kinetic design theme, is based on the Mazda 2 model. We have reported earlier that the test mules of this car has been seen testing near Chennai. Based on the spy pictures, we can conclude that the new Fiesta model is the one that is sold in China. It appears to be bigger than the current Fiesta sold in India. The China-bound Ford Fiesta was designed in Europe and tailor-made for the Chinese market. Expect the new Fiesta to have athletic profile with ascending shoulder lines and brand-new image. On the interiors, the car will come with funky dashboard, two-tone with attractive color options. (Also read new Ford Fiesta seen testing in India.)

New Fiesta engines

The upcoming Fiesta will have peppy engines than the current models’. A 1.6 litre petrol engine producing 118 bhp and a 1.6 litre diesel motor producing 90 bhp will perform its duty in the new Fiesta. Currently, Fiesta is powered by a 1.6 litre petrol engine producing 100 bhp and a 1.4 litre diesel motor producing 68 bhp. Ford may mate the engines to an automatic transmission besides the standard 5-speed manual gear box.

New Fiesta launch and price

Ford will be launching the new Fiesta in the second-half of 2011 and is expected to be priced in the range of Rs. 6.80 lakh – Rs. 7.7 lakh. Currently, Fiesta prices range from Rs. 6.46 – Rs. 8.51 (ex-showroom, Delhi). That will make the new Ford Fiesta an extremely compelling option to cars such as Hyundai Verna, Fiat Linea, Volkswagen Vento, Maruti SX4 and even the segment leader Honda City.

Source: Autocar India