Ford has announced a new, even greener, diesel Fiesta derivative, available Europe and the UK for now, for which it's claiming combined fuel consumption of 3.3 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of only 87g/km, down from 95 on the previous model.
The 70kW, 1.6 TDCi EcoNetic Technology engine has been painstakingly revised to reduce internal friction and improve combustion, the fuel-injection mapping has been rewritten to suit, and the aircon, cooling fan and alternator have all been made more efficient to reduce the amount of power they steal from the engine.
SUPER SIPPER
The new model now has a stop-start function, revised gear ratios with a longer top gear for more efficient cruising and regenerative charging on the overrun.
The low rolling-resistance tyres, aero pack (undershield and wheel deflectors), variable-flow oil pump and shift indicator light that were standard on previous EcoNetic models have also been carried over to the new super-sipper, which will also be available in a Fiestavan LDV derivative.
It's unlikely that the Big Blue's greenest cars will come to South Africa, however, due to issues with local diesel.