Description
Ford introduced the fourth generation of the Fiesta in 1995 and refreshed-it in 1999. Although it wasn't a completely new car, it featured a totally different face.
Ford tried and gained with the New-Edge design language used for the first generation of the Focus and the sporty Puma. The idea was to combine long and curved lines in sharp angles. The compact-sized vehicle was such a success that the blue-oval management decided to apply the same theme on the smaller Fiesta.
From the oval-shaped headlights to the triangular ones, it was a complicated design process that imposed new fenders, hoods, and grille. The rear panel, quarter panels, and the tailgate were redesigned to accommodate a new set of taillights designed in the same trend in the back. The three-door version looked sportier, but Ford didn't fit it with engines adequated for its look.
The interior was still part of the biodesign era, with rounded shapes and a curved dashboard. But Ford changed here and there a few buttons and the audio system. For the Ghia trim level, the designers installed a wood-trim, which might have looked better on a larger car than in a small-segment vehicle. The interior room was good for a family of four with adequate legroom in the back.
For the 1999 Fiesta, Ford dropped the 1.1-liter engine and made the 1.3-liter unit the base version. A new, 1.25-liter ZETEC engine was installed and offered 75 hp. For selected markets, the Fiesta featured a 1.6-liter engine. Since there was already a higher demand for the diesel versions, Ford installed an improved 1.8-liter unit.
