Did You Know

Figo means ‘cool’ in Italian

The new Figo Blu is a limited release with a run of only 360 units in Mzansi. It is based on the Figo 1.5 Trend and can be distinguished from the standard Figo by a number of enhancements. The most noticeable feature has to be its all black roof and 14 inch alloy wheels and black grille that adds a bit of personality to this model.

Another distinctive treatment is that of the accented fog lamps housing and the introduction of the blue bezels. The decals are another way of identifying this limited range of vehicles as they extend along the sides of it and one can also be seen on the back. Whilst we drove the Oxford White one the Figo Blu is also available in Moondust Silver and Smoke Grey colours.

The interior of the Figo Blu continues with the use of the glossy blue inserts as they can be seen on the door panels. We quite enjoyed the visual appeal of the black and blue stitched seats as well as the inclusion of “Figo Blu” branding on the front seats.  This gave the car a bit more character. The use of leather on the steering wheels adds the much-needed comfort and grip while driving. The Blu has been fitted with electric windows all round, central locking, perimeter anti-theft alarm and an immobiliser.

Even though the space and interior of the Figo Blu have not been compromised or changed compared to the standard version, the infotainment system is still a few years behind in terms of features and smart aids. Ford’s very own Sync 3 infotainment system found on the likes of the Fiesta and EcoSport would’ve sufficed here. In addition, Ford could’ve thrown in Android Auto and Apple Carplay to sweeten the deal. Sadly, the Figo Blu relies on Bluetooth connectivity to pair your device for calls and music. Don’t expect to see any controls on your steering wheel either.

Only one USB slot is provided which serves as a smartphone charger. Your smartphone can be easily placed on the Device Dock situated on the upper deck of the centre console while charging. This dock does come in handy as you have to resort to using your mobile screen to navigate around unfamiliar places. The four-speaker system is decent and does a mighty job considering the size of the vehicle. However, the two airbags are short of the current standard being raised by its competitors.

Powered by a 1.5 liter three-cylinder petrol engine the Figo Blu produces 88kW of power and 150Nm of torque with a 5-speed manual transmission. The Blu uses an EcoMode with shift indicator and this lets the driver know of the most optimal time to shift gears up or down and this in turn helps keep the fuel consumption between 5.7 – 6.5l/100km.

In conclusion, the Figo Blu delivers a decent drive and offers comfortable seating for driver and passengers with a good fuel efficiency. However, the car does lack in terms of safety features compared to its competitors. The absence of Apple Carplay and Android Auto was a deal breaker for us as the car occasionally displayed Bluetooth connectivity issues.

At the cost of R203 800 and with a four-year/120 000km comprehensive warranty, three year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and a five year/unlimited km corrosion warranty with an included four year/60 000km service plan, the Ford Figo Blu gives the Suzuki Swift and Polo Vivo a good run when comparing them spec for spec.

The latest-generation, all-new Ford Fiesta was launched in South Africa in May this year, and has proudly continued the previous model’s peerless reputation for outstanding driving dynamics, matched to even higher levels of quality and high-tech features.

However, it’s the fuel-sipping nature of the Fiesta 1.5 TDCi that makes it really stand out as the budget-beating choice for drivers that demand low running costs and infrequent visits to their local filling station.

Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi Trend facts:

• The Fiesta is powered by a 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine that delivers a peak power output of 63kW, but it’s the maximum torque of 175Nm that really stands out. This is the ideal engine speed range to gain the optimal fuel efficiency, whether negotiating city traffic or hitting the highway.

• A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, complemented by a gearshift indicator in the instrument cluster that advises the driver of the ideal point to select the next gear – based on accelerator position and engine speed – which helps reduce fuel consumption.

• An Eco mode is available that adjusts engine and throttle settings to help drivers save even more fuel, while underbody aerodynamic shielding further reduces aero drag.

• Based on the industry-standard EU test cycle, this enables the Fiesta 1.5 TDCi Trend to achieve a combined city and urban fuel consumption of as low as 3.3 litres per 100km*, linked to an eco-friendly CO₂ emissions rating of just 84 g/km*.

• How did they get to this figure? The New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), or EU test as it’s commonly known, is done in a laboratory environment using a computer-controlled roller test bench to evaluate a vehicle’s fuel consumption and emissions, simulating urban (city) and extra-urban (country) driving conditions. The combined cycle figures are calculated based on the vehicle’s total fuel consumption over a test distance of 10.9km. Although the EU test may not reflect the real-world driving conditions experienced by many motorists, it allows direct fuel consumption and emissions comparisons to be drawn between vehicles evaluated according to the same test standard.

• Realistically, if driven with a careful right foot, the Fiesta TDCi is entirely capable of covering anywhere from 750km to over 900km per 42-litre tank of diesel*, making it a true budget-beater. Despite its frugal consumption, it’s certainly no slow coach, and is capable of scampering from standstill to 100km/h in 12.5 seconds, with a top speed of 175km/h.

• Contributing to its impressively low overall cost of ownership, the entire Fiesta range comes standard with Ford Protect, comprising a four-year/60 000km service plan with 15 000km service intervals. This is backed up by a four-year/120 000km comprehensive warranty, three-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and five-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty.

• Available exclusively in Trend specification, the Fiesta 1.5 TDCi comes with a raft of great features such as 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights with cornering lamps, daytime running lights with automatic headlamp activation, electrically operated heated mirrors, power windows all round with one-touch operation, as well as remote central locking.

• Ford’s innovative SYNC^®3 infotainment system is linked to a 6.5-inch colour touch screen, which provides access to the radio, CD player, six speakers and dual USB ports with multimedia access and charging functionality, Bluetooth connectivity and access to an extensive range of voice-activated commands for the communication and entertainment features, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Remote audio controls are mounted on the steering wheel for added convenience and driving safety.

• The Fiesta is equipped with a total of six airbags, ABS brakes with Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA), Emergency Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Hill Launch Assist (HLA) and electronic stability and traction control to deliver a high level of active driving safety. A parking aid with integrated rear sensors takes the hassle out of reverse parking manoeuvres.

• The Fiesta 1.5 TDCI Trend 6MT is priced at R300 900 (including Vat).

Special thanks to Ford South Africa for the fantastic experience.

While the show was whoo-shem fabulous, its the car that stole the show for me.

Economy cars have been on cruise control for quite some time now. Traditionally, this hasn’t been the segment for frills or fun, and nine times out of 10 performance has taken a back seat to practicality. Until recently, this was the case with American cars and is one of the major reasons manufacturers like Toyota and Honda managed to garner such a large foothold of the market with cars like the Civic and Corolla back then. But the times they are a changing, and manufacturers that have historically struggled in this space (namely Chevrolet and Ford) want a piece of the practical-car pie, and they’re gunning for it.

Enter the fun-loving 2016 Ford Fiesta. Now in its sixth year. Truthfully, it couldn’t have come a better time. With petrol prices continuously in flux and South African buyers looking to jump into more fuel efficient and economical cars, the compact and subcompact segment has really started to flourish – and not just with cheaper choices that will appeal to your wallet, but ones people actually wanted to drive.

First Impressions Count

Let’s get this out of the way right now: The Ford Fiesta is one hot little hatch. There, we said it. Not only does it exhibit more than a hint of European styling appeal, but it’s not restricted to the old world any longer. At its face, the Fiesta sports a confident front fascia along with sharpened headlamps and sculpted wheel arches. Ford’s signature gaping grille found on many of its newer models makes an appearance too – albeit in smaller form. At the side, the Fiesta looks sleek, almost elegant. The arching roofline tapers out towards the rear where it is met by the Fiesta’s climbing taillights and dipping hatch.

It certainly is eccentric, loud and obnoxious; and it’s a good-looking car that you won’t be embarrassed to be seen in. And really, how many econo-boxes can you truthfully you say that about?

Innards

Fortunately, the party continues to the Fiesta’s interior. Here it seems Ford was more focused on creating an edgy and vibrant cabin with heavy emphasis on the practicality of everyday driving. While we can’t complain about material quality employed inside (we liked the fun and sleek metallic brushwork finishes), we’re not so thrilled with the placement of the Fiesta’s steering wheel and console controls. Rather than go for a simpler, more effective scheme, the console’s “butterfly” layout and rigid knobs are a chore at best, and much too distracting at worst.

For its part though, the Fiesta’s interior is welcoming enough. It might not be the roomiest, but we never truly felt like we were riding in an economy car. The layout might be questionable, but to Ford’s credit they have designed a rather upbeat cabin.

Traveling techies will be happy to learn that the Fiesta sports a rather robust amount of cabin tech for a vehicle of its stature. Our Titanium review model, which sits right on top of their range, came equipped with smart key-less entry, cruise control, upgraded 80-watt six-speaker sound system, SYNC^® with Bluetooth & Voice Control and a CD player with USB audio input and small monochrome LCD display atop the dash’s summit. Rather conveniently, Ford lets you mix and match various features found on some higher trims.

In Use

More than anything else, where we derived the most joy during our time with the Fiesta was with its excellent handling. From nimble to sprightly, dynamic to energetic, throw whatever descriptor you like and the Fiesta manages to encompass it. In addition to its design, this is where the Fiesta manages to reveal its European roots the most, exhibiting the type of capable handling, road characteristics, and tightly-tuned suspension we rarely see (or get) on these shores.

Without a doubt the 2016 Ford Fiesta is a pleasure to drive, and offers one of the most rewarding drive experiences in its class and beyond. It might be priced a little excessively; our review unit came in at R240 000 including destination, and it’s 1.0-liter may be a little too lackadaisical for our tastes, but we’re hard-pressed to think of another vehicle in this segment that has yet to illicit such joy while on the road.

If this doesn’t do it for you, see the 7th generation model!