First drive: New, 2012 Ford Fiesta Metal 1.6-litre Duratec petrol TiVCT 134PS

Ford has been busy refreshing their best-selling Fiesta and probably the biggest news is the 78.5mpg Econetic diesel engine that can now be had in any Fiesta trim of your choosing, where before it was restricted to less swanky trim specs. However, we’re not all on a mega-mpg-mission; some of us want to rock a little harder. So how about the new Fiesta Metal? All 132bhp of it…

The new Metal takes over from where the double-speed-stripped Fiesta S1600 left off, with focus on performance and aggressive style. Sure, she’ll still give you 47.9mpg quoted combined economy from her “Stage 5” tuned, 1.6-litre petrol engine, but thanks to big wheels, lowered sports suspension and a razor bodykit; Metal unashamedly takes centre stage, at full tilt. Until, at least, the full-bore Fiesta ST turbo kicks down the door with its 180bhp boot, late in 2012.

Fiesta Metal is mechanically-based on the out-going, special edition S1600 – and we’ve got a full TotallyMotor test drive here for all the juicy details – but we can’t let the eco-Fiestas grab all the limelight, so here’s a round up of all the 1000-only Metal best bits for you fast Ford fans out there…

Starting from the ground up, we’ve got 17-inch, 5-spoke alloys finished in glossy Panther Black paint that delve that little bit further into Fiesta Metal’s subtly-flared arches, thanks to lowered sports suspension.

There’s an extra £470 spent on this TotallyMotor tester on Midnight Sky metallic paint, on top of the £15,695 on-the-road price. But, as we can see, she wears it well. That special paint is also lovingly applied to road-hugging, deeper front and rear bumper skirts and that roof-tip rear spoiler. Breaking through the dangerous darkness is a double-barrelled chrome exhaust that emits a crisp, naturally aspirated combustion note. 

Inside, there’s the usual locked ‘n’ loaded Fiesta driving position, but with Metal, posterior and hands are met with soft black leather. Air-conditioning, extra stereo speakers and alloy pedals top-off this near-top level trim. 

But really, it’s all about the 132bhp, 1.6-litre naturally aspirated TiVCT Duratec petrol engine, when it comes to getting heavy (right-footed) in the Metal, with five long gear ratios, a 7000rpm redline and crisp throttle response bringing back lane smiles to this new Fiesta performance party. 

Fiesta Metal drives just like the out-going S1600, and that’s a nicely nippy drive with enough poke and linear power on tap, a super-quick turn-in and flat yet pliant suspension. In a perfect tuned-Fiesta Metal world I’d personally like some extra stiffness to my suspension; just to give it a more hardcore edge. But I’m a glutton for pothole-punishment! 

Just 1000 Fiesta Metal motors will be in Ford dealers, in early October.



















www.ford.co.uk


Words & pics: Daniel Anslow

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