Ford's new Aston Martin-like 'family face' that was first seen on the new Mondeo has taken a swim down the gene pool to garnish the 2013 Fiesta hatch.
The signature feature here is the large trapezoidal grille, which is joined by 'laser-cut' headlights and LED daytime running lights. The side and rear sections of the Fiesta remain mostly unchanged, as does the interior styling.
The biggest news on the engine front is the availability of Ford's advanced new 1-litre EcoBoost turbopetrol engine, which Ford says will deliver best-in-class fuel economy.
No output figures have been given, but we'd expect it to mirror the version in the Focus - which offers output levels of 74kW and 92kW.
A TRUE GADGET GEEK
New gadgets and technologies abound in the new Fiesta. The Ford Sync in-car connectivity system, for instance, allows drivers to voice-activate phone calls and music choices from other devices connected via Bluetooth or USB.
The car also offers a form of parental control with MyKey, which allows owners to pre-set a maximum speed and limit the volume on the sound system before their precious teenager takes to the wheel.
Another segment-first is its Active City Stop, which - we presume - automatically brakes the car when an impending collision is detected at low speeds.
Not long to wait for the South African model to arrive, with the local launch scheduled for the first quarter of next year. Our Ford contact also tells us that the EcoBoost engine will form part of the local range.