Even though the Fiesta has been flying out of the showrooms as people downsize to small and economical cars, Ford have decided to inject a bit of fresh appeal into the range with the addition of the Sport specification.
The Fiesta Sport will fit in the gap between the low-spec Studio and the popular Zetec, and you’ll be able to choose one with the 1.4 litre (96bhp) and 1.6 litre (120bhp) petrol engines or the 90bhp 1.6 TDCi diesel engine.
The obvious changes to the Fiesta Sport are on the outside where you get a different lower grille, darkened headlamp surrounds, a front apron, chunkier side skirts and a rear apron with an integrated diffuser. The new look is finished off with new 16-inch alloys wrapped in lower-profile tyres.
On the inside you can choose between two different trim colours, anthracite (grey to you and me) or blue. Other extras include front sport seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearshift knob, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, an on-board computer, electric windows and locks, and air conditioning.
However, don’t dismiss the Sport as a cosmetic exercise. While it may have Zetec-like looks it also benefits from the same sport suspension that makes the Zetec such an entertaining drive. The sports suspension lowers the car by 9mm and features stiffer springs and uprated shock absorbers. There is even a modified steering system and a new ESP setup that can be completely deactivated (a novelty in this Health & Safety conscious world).
There’s no official announcement on price just yet, but with the Studio costing £10,595 and the Zetec costing £12,295 you can expect the Sport to be around the £11,500 mark
