24/07/2013 13:04
The Ford Fiesta has earned more than its fair share of awards in recent months, and it is with much pride and happiness that Ford has announced today that their best-selling supermini has scooped yet another gong. And this one is important.
The new Ford Fiesta 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol has been named 2013 Women’s World Car of the Year – and also won the Economy Car category – by an all-female panel of global motoring writers. This is important because the lady of the house plays an ever more influential part in the family new car buying process, and the snazzy little Fiesta happily appeals to both females and males.
The Fiesta beat off competition from the Porsche Boxster S, Audi Allroad and Range Rover on the night of judging, with judging criteria that including sex appeal, safety, value-for-money, child-friendliness and environmental footprint. The judges praised the Fiesta’s “high-end look and feel”.
Under the Fiesta EcoBoost's bonnet is the EcoBoost engine, after which the model is named, and it's this perky, modern little 3-cylinder petrol motor that many test-drivers have fallen in love with. Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine – International Engine of the Year 2013 and 2012 – makes a useful 123bhp and produces just 99g/km CO2, and thanks to the clever use of turbocharging, it's as responsive as it is frugal.
This new engine means that fans of petrol power can now enjoy diesel-like levels of fuel economy, but with the soundtrack and driving style of a peppy turbocharged, petrol engine.
“It was clear from the outset that the new Fiesta 1.0-litre EcoBoost had struck a chord with our panel of female motoring experts from around the world,” said Women’s World Car of the Year chief judge, Sandy Myhre of New Zealand.
Posted by Louise Clark