Ford Fiesta 1.4LX M/T – Less Power, More Fun
Since its arrival at our shores, the Fiesta has been instrumental in helping Ford steadily scale its way up the sales charts again. The Fiesta has its flaws, but good looks, generous equipment, and a decent drivetrain package have seen it capture the heart of many young Malaysian buyers, and even landed it the Best Sub-Compact Passenger Car title in the recent CIMB Autoworld Car of the Year Awards 2010.
During launch time, it was indicated to us that as much as 70% of orders went to the top spec 1.6 Sport hatch, and our understanding is that this proportion has remained unchanged since. Packed to the brim with equipment and featuring a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission as a USP, the Fiesta 1.6 offers itself to consumers at an attractive price of RM82,888 in Peninsula Malaysia with insurance.
Only a handful of orders have been collected for the entry-level 1.4-litre manual hatchback which goes for RM69,888. This is not unexpected. Although we always complain at the lack of manual offerings in our market, the fact is that when the time comes to sign on the order form, many of us conjure up less than pleasant images of downtown KL’s traffic and end up picking the automatic versions instead.
The 1.4’s case is also not helped by two crucial omissions – front fog lights and alloy rims. These two missing items loudly advertise the Fiesta 1.4’s position as an entry level model. When you examine it closer, you then unsurprisingly find even more things missing – steering mounted controls, passenger airbag, trip computer, Bluetooth, USB, traction control and stability control.
However, when you look at the specs sheet, you find that the Fiesta 1.4 actually has a decent amount of kit. You still get four power windows, electric side mirrors, rear fog lamps (believe us, very useful in heavy rain), ABS, EBD, ISOFIX, variable intermittent wipers, follow-me-home lights, and rear wipers. So, it’s not too bad on the equipment front.
Neither is it poor on the performance front. From 118hp and 152Nm in the Fiesta 1.6, the 1.4 has to make do with 94hp @ 5,650rpm and 128Nm @ 4,050rpm. But bear in mind a measly kerb weight of 1,127kg and the fact that the engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, the Fiesta 1.4 is by no means slow. It can still take you beyond the legal speed limit without breaking sweat.
I recall from my experience in the Fiesta’s regional media drive at Phuket that the 1.4 manual test car I was driving had no problems in keeping up with the 1.6 cars. This impression is reinforced having tested both the 1.4 and 1.6 versions of the Malaysian-spec Fiesta. In my books, the Fiesta in 1.4 manual guise, is in fact more satisfying to drive than the 1.6.
My main gripe with the Fiesta 1.6 was the lack of a manual overriding feature in its Powershift transmission, and it suffices to say that this is no longer a problem with the 1.4. The gear change mechanism is slick, allowing for fast and smooth cog-swapping. Clutch action is also light, so driving this car through jams becomes less of a chore, though I personally prefer a meatier clutch pedal.
Another praiseworthy virtue of the Fiesta is its impressive sound insulation. The 1.6 was extremely quiet on the move, and it would seem to me that Ford did not skimp on the 1.4 either. Cruising at regulation speeds, the Fiesta’s interior is quiet as a library. In fact, I might actually owe Ford’s engineers a debt of gratitude for this.
During one of our test runs on the highways, I suddenly noticed the complete absence of wind and tyre noise of any kind in the car. I sought to enjoy that silence by keeping my speed well below the national limit, and was doing that for a good few kilometres when I came up to a roadblock. The officer manning the barricades even cast a few admiring glances on the Fiesta before flagging me to drive off.
In terms of ride & handling, the Fiesta 1.4 also loses little, if at all, to the Sport-suspension equipped 1.6. Thanks to slightly higher-profile tyres and softer suspension, the Fiesta 1.4 has marginally better comfort levels than the 1.6. Handling is excellent, and by virtue of having a proper manual transmission, the whole driving experience feels more involving even if the electric power steering feels a little devoid of feedback.
One of our judges in the CIMB Autoworld Car Awards panel suggested that had Ford supplied us with the 1.4 test car instead of the 1.6 for the award evaluation, the Fiesta’s win in its category might have been even more emphatic. While that may not be the view of every judge on our panel, it goes to suggest that the cheapest Fiesta might actually happen to be the best one to drive.
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