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By
EWAN KENNEDY
11 June 2007
Ford Australia is now importing the fastest Fiesta of them all. Called
the XR4 in this country, it is already known to local enthusiasts as the
Fiesta ST in the European market. Even better news is that Australian
buyers are getting the Fiesta XR4 at the extremely good price of just
$24,990. Plus $300 if you want the racing stripes, an option that we
anticipate will be very popular because this blast from the past
certainly suits the hot little Ford.
In Europe the equivalent price of the Fiesta ST is about
$30,000, but so hot is the competition in the hot hatch segment in
our local car market that Ford Australia has been forced to trim
the price to the bone.
There's another reason for the low-price decision. Ford is
acutely aware that sales of large cars are slowing in Australia,
so is keen to promote its range of European imports. Having a
flagship model like the XR4 in the small car segment should
certainly help.
Fiesta XR4 takes our favourite route in hot car design. It uses
a big engine in a small car. The rest of the Fiesta range uses a
1.6-litre unit, the XR4 borrows its powerplant from big brother
Ford Focus.
The 2.0-litre engine has been further uprated from the base
Focus unit to give it more power and torque. Specifically, the
Duratec 2.0-litre now pumps out 110 kW, or almost 50 per cent more
than the standard Fiesta engine. It also produces an efficient 190
Nm at 4500 rpm. Even better, the tuning of the engine sees it
delivering 90 per cent of that peak torque figure all the way from
2200 to 6000 rpm.
To achieve these outputs it’s necessary to run the engine on
95 octane unleaded petrol. Getting this more efficient fuel isn’t
the hassle it once was, it’s now on offer in most service
stations. There can be fuel economy benefits as well, an important
factor because the thinking performance-car drivers are also
looking to trim fuel usage and protect the environment.
The only weak link in the powertrain is a five-speed gearbox. A
six-speed may be offered later in the car’s career. In the
meantime the gearing of the XR4 has been raised so the engine is
not quite as frantically busy as the standard Fiesta’s can be at
speed. Thankfully, there's no automatic transmission option!
Extra power demands bigger brakes and the Fiesta XR4 has
ventilated discs at all four corners. Should the driver make a
mistake, ABS combines with a brake assist system to minimise
stopping distances.
Then there's the suspension. The Fiesta already sits pleasing
low on the road, so the XR4 has only been dropped by a further 10
millimetres for increased cornering power and safety. At the same
time it has been firmed up and the hot car now rides on
high-performance Pirelli P-Zero tyres.
The three-door body, there is no five-door, benefits with the
fitment of a revised front end featuring a lower spoiler, side
skirts and a rear diffuser. A large rear wing is fitted as an
extension of the roof and its shape seems sure to appeal to lovers
of fast hatches. The side protection mouldings are now finished in
body colour.
Inside, there are sporting seats using leather bolsters and
colour-keyed cloth inserts in red or blue. The dash also has
coloured inserts, these are done in a subtle fashion so aren't as
garish as some in competitors’ cars. The dials on the dash are
done in a neat white-on-black scheme.
On the road the new Fiesta XR4 is a real delight for the
sporting driver. The engine has a strong feel throughout its
range, though it doesn’t have the huge push in the back you get
from a (much more expensive) turbo unit. It’s willing to pull
from about 1500 rpm and is hauling strongly by the time it gets to
2500 revs.
The gearbox has a slick feel and it’s easy to find the right
ratios quickly and accurately.
Road grip is immense and the XR4 can be punted around corners
at speed with plenty of safety. The tyres have a minimum of squeal
and continue to work well on dirt roads, not always something you
will find in high-performance units. Comfort is pretty good for a
car of this type, but a person wanting a smooth, cruisy ride
should probably opt for a tamer car as the ride can be jiggly on
below average roads.
Steering feel could be better to our way of thinking, it seems
to vary according to conditions, perhaps because the power
assistance program is struggling to make up its mind at times.
Ford Fiesta XR4 seems certain of a bright and happy future in
Australia. It’s combination of performance and value is one that
will be hard to beat.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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