Ford Fiesta (fourth generation)

Last updated
Fourth generation
Ford Fiesta MK4 (1995-1999) front.jpg
Ford Fiesta 5-door hatchback (pre-facelift)
Overview
Also called
Production
  • October 1995–December 2002 (Europe)
  • 1996–2013 (Brazil)
  • 1997–2011 (South Africa)
  • 1999–2011 (India)
  • 2003–2011 (China)
Assembly
Body and chassis
Body style
Platform Ford B platform
Related
Powertrain
Engine
  • Petrol:
  • 998 cc (60.9 cu in) Rocam I4
  • 999 cc (61.0 cu in) Endura-E I4
  • 1,242 cc (75.8 cu in) Zetec-SE I4
  • 1,299 cc (79.3 cu in) Endura-E I4
  • 1,301 cc (79.4 cu in) JL474Q I4 [1]
  • 1,388 cc (84.7 cu in) Zetec-SE I4
  • 1,392 cc (84.9 cu in) CVH I4
  • 1,497 cc (91.4 cu in) JL475Q I4 [2]
  • 1,596 cc (97.4 cu in) Zetec-SE I4
  • 1,596 cc (97.4 cu in) Rocam I4
  • Diesel:
  • 1,753 cc (107.0 cu in) Endura-D I4
  • 1,753 cc (107.0 cu in) Endura-TDDi I4-TD
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • 2,446 mm (96.3 in) (hatchback)
  • 2,486 mm (97.9 in) (sedan)
  • 2,492 mm (98.1 in) (sedan; China) [2]
Length
  • 3,828–3,833 mm (150.7–150.9 in) (hatchback)
  • 4,140 mm (163 in) (sedan)
  • 4,167–4,220 mm (164.1–166.1 in) (sedan; China) [2]
Width1,634 mm (64.3 in)
Height
  • 1,334 mm (52.5 in)
  • 1,634 mm (64.3 in) (sedan; China) [2]
Curb weight
  • 924–1,058 kg (2,037–2,332 lb) (hatchback)
  • 1,004–1,040 kg (2,213–2,293 lb) (sedan)
Chronology
Predecessor
Successor

The Fiesta Mark IV (internal code name was BE91) [3] was launched in October 1995 [4] [5] [6] and became Britain's best-selling car from 1996 to 1998, when it was overtaken by the all-new Ford Focus, a replacement for the Ford Escort.

Contents

Design

Ford Fiesta MK4 rear 20070926.jpg
Ford Fiesta MK4 (1995-1999) rear.jpg
1999 Ford Fiesta 35 Van 1.8.jpg
Pre-facelift models of 3/5-door hatchbacks and panel van
1997 Ford Fiesta LX 1.2 Interior.jpg
Fiesta mk4 interiors.JPG
Interior (RHD and LHD)

The Mark IV benefited from new interior and exterior styling. It maintained similar dimensions to the Mark III along with the platform and the basic body structure, most noticeably the side door openings. The RS1800 and RS Turbo models were not carried over to the updated Fiesta range.

Ford Zetec S 1.25 L engine 1998 Ford Fiesta Fusion 1.2 Engine.jpg
Ford Zetec S 1.25 L engine

The model featured a range of new Zetec-SE engines, available in 1.25 L and 1.4 L forms; the 1.8 litre diesel engine was slightly modified for the Mark IV, now marketed as the "Endura DE". Lower specification models used what would be the final development of the stalwart "Valencia" engine which had been with the Fiesta since the Mk1 - now known as Endura-E - in both 1.0 L and 1.3 L capacities.

In Brazil a 1.0 litre (Endura Engine) version was available in Popular trim level. Also a 1.3 litre (Endura) and a 1.4 litre 16V (Zetec-SE) was available in CLX trim level; it was sold in Argentina and Chile. The UK trim level line up had relatively few changes over the years: (1995, Encore, LX, Si, Ghia; 1996, Ghia X added as range-topper; 1998, Si replaced by Zetec, petrol LX models briefly renamed Zetec LX, Ghia X models axed; 1999, Finesse added between Encore and Zetec).

In 1997, the Mark IV was introduced in South Africa, the first time the Fiesta had been sold in that market. Only one engine was available, the 1.3 litre Endura E. It subsequently won the South African Car of the Year award. The 1.3 litre engine was replaced with the 1.4 litre PTE (CVH) engine in 1999.

The Mark IV was not sold in North America.

The German-built Ford Puma was based on the Mark IV, sharing its underpinnings. For this reason the 1.7 VCT engine from the Ford Puma has become an extremely popular engine swap into the Mark IV and Mark IV facelift Fiesta. This gives the popular hatchback an extra 100 cc over the previous largest engine size available, variable cam timing and better ratio gearbox while still retaining a factory finish as all components are a direct swap.

Specifications

Engine type(s) Inline-four engines: Petrol, Ford Kent/Endura-E (OHV), Zetec-SE (OHC), and Diesel (OHC)
CapacityPetrol: 1,242–1,596 cc (75.8–97.4 cu in) Diesel: 1,753 cc (107.0 cu in)
Power59–91 bhp (44–68 kW)
Max. speed96–112 mph (154–180 km/h)
Acceleration0-62 mph (100 km/h):

1.25 Zetec: 11.9 s
1.3: 16.4 s
1.4 Zetec: 10.8 s
1.8D: 14.7 s
1.8D: 16.2 s

Fuel efficiency38–46 mpg-UK (32–38 mpg-US or 7.4–6.1 L/100 km)

Facelift

In 1999, the Fiesta received a facelift [5] [7] aimed at giving the car a New Edge look, with a Focus-inspired face, new bumpers and wheel designs. The facelift is sometimes referred to as Mark V in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.

Other changes include 1.6i 16V Zetec engine, fitted to the new Zetec S model, and later available in Ghia and Freestyle trims. New features were made available, such as side airbags and (after launch) the reintroduction of leather trim. An environmentally friendly E-Diesel model was released for 2001, with CO2 emissions of 120 g/km. The Lynx 1.8 TDDi engine was also introduced after launch.

The fourth generation facelift was the last generation of Fiesta to be built at Dagenham in England, and was indeed the final Ford model to be built at Dagenham prior to the closure of the car assembly plant in 2002. The internal code name of this Fiesta was still BE91. The UK trim level line-up consisted of: 1999, Encore, Finesse, Zetec, LX, Ghia; 2000, Zetec S added; 2001, E-Diesel added at bottom of range. Seeing the production of the fifth generation Fiesta, the Flight and Freestyle trims were respectively replaced by Finesse and Zetec.

In South Africa, the facelift used the Port Elizabeth-built 1.3 L and 1.6 L Rocam engines, instead of the European Sigma 16-valve engines. This model formed the basis of the Ford Ikon (code name C195), which is a four-door saloon designed for India, where Ford was then producing cars in a joint venture with Mahindra.[ citation needed ] The Ikon was also introduced in other developing countries, such as Brazil (where it is known as the Fiesta Sedan), South Africa, Mexico (where it was called Fiesta Ikon) and China, where saloons are preferred to hatchbacks. They are extremely reliable, and became one of Ford's successes.

There were also four utility variants, the simplest being the "Fiesta Van" which was a three-door hatchback with the rear quarter windows blanked over and the rear seat omitted (in other words, a sedan delivery).

The Fiesta was still Britain's best-selling supermini in 2001, by which time it was making use of a design over a decade old (though heavily updated visually and mechanically). In three-door form, it was sold alongside the fifth generation Fiesta from April to December 2002. In Brazil, it was sold as the Fiesta Street until 2006. This generation was also assembled in China by Changan Ford Mazda in sedan form only from 2003 to 2008 and continued until 2010 by Landwind (a joint venture marque between Changan Automobile and Jiangling Motor Holding) as Landwind CV7, this car was also exported as Changan CV7. There was a version with sporty bumpers sold in China as CV7 Sport with 1.5 L 94bhp petrol engine. [8]

Zetec S

The Zetec S was the highest Fiesta trim, and although its 1.6 L 16v Sigma engine was available in other Fiestas (such as the Freestyle) the Zetec S pushed out 101 bhp (75 kW; 102 PS), [9] and had major alterations to the suspension, with stiffer anti-roll bars and uprated brakes shared with the Puma.

The fifth generation facelift Zetec S has a sizeable following, with many websites dedicated to the vehicle. There is also a tuning culture devoted to this model, with reputable companies such as Milltek Sport and Shawspeed developing performance parts solely for the Sigma engine.

Zetec S was also offered in South Africa as Fiesta RSi and in Brazil as GLX Sport, both has 1.6 8v Rocam engine. In China, there was a sporty sedan version called Fiesta S.

Specifications:

Engine type(s) Inline-4: Petrol, Zetec SE (DOHC) 16v, Rocam (SOHC) 8v
CapacityPetrol: 1,596 cc (97.4 cu in)
Power103 bhp (77 kW)
Max. speed190 km/h (120 mph)
Acceleration0–100 km/h (62 mph) 10.0 seconds
Fuel efficiency33.6 mpg-UK (28 mpg-US or 8.4 L/100 km)

Mazda 121

As an exercise in badge engineering, the Mazda 121 and Ford Fiesta Mark IV shared their design, were built on the same production lines and used almost all the same parts. [10] At the same time, Mazda also marketed a rebadged first generation Mazda Demio with 121 nameplate in several Asian countries and Australia.

In the JD Power reliability surveys at the time, the Mazda was reported to be significantly more reliable and attracted higher levels of customer satisfaction, despite it being a slower seller than the Fiesta.

It was also sold locally as the Mazda 121 Soho, although it is often referred to simply as the "Mazda Soho". [11]

Derivative models

There were several derivative models based on Fiesta Mark IV, shared the same front to middle sheet metals design and mechanicals.

A van with a boxy rear body and stretched wheelbase used the Courier nameplate and formed the basis of two coupe utility models, one with the short doors of the 5-door hatchback and small quarterlights in the style of larger extended cab pick-ups, made in South Africa as the Ford Bantam; and another with the 3-door's longer doors and no quarter windows, made in Brazil as the Ford Courier.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Cortina</span> Car model

The Ford Cortina is a medium-sized family car manufactured and marketed initially by Ford of Britain, and then Ford of Europe in various body styles from 1962 to 1982 over five generations — and was the United Kingdom's best-selling car of the 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Laser</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Laser is a compact car, originally a subcompact car in the first three generations, which was sold by Ford in Asia, Oceania, and parts of South America and Africa. It has generally been available as a sedan or hatchback, although convertible, wagon and pick-up versions have also been available in different markets. The sedan, and briefly station wagon, versions were badged Ford Meteor in Australia between 1981 and 1987. The Ford Meteor name was also used in South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Telstar</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Telstar is an automobile that was sold by Ford in Asia, Australasia and Africa, comparable in size to the European Ford Sierra and the North American Ford Tempo. It was progressively replaced by the Ford Mondeo. The car was named after the Telstar satellite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Festiva</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Festiva is a subcompact car that was designed and manufactured by Mazda for Ford between 1986 and 2002. Festiva was sold in Japan, the Americas, and Australia. The name "Festiva" is derived from the Spanish word for "festive". It was not related to the similarly sized and named Ford Fiesta, and was not replaced by the Ford Ka, which is smaller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Fiesta</span> Series of subcompact automobiles produced by Ford

The Ford Fiesta is a supermini car that was marketed by Ford from 1976 to 2023 over seven generations. Over the years, the Fiesta has mainly been developed and manufactured by Ford's European operations, and had been positioned below the Escort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Orion</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Orion is a small family car that was produced by Ford Europe from 1983 until 1993. A total of 3,534,239 units were sold during the car's ten-year production life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Bantam</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Bantam is a coupé utility/pickup produced in South Africa. Production of the Bantam spanned three generations, with the vehicle produced in South Africa for sale within the South African market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Ikon</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Ikon is a subcompact car produced by Ford since the end of 1999. It was initially introduced as the sedan version of the Ford Fiesta hatchback car. It spawned over two generations, the first being based on the fourth generation of the Ford Fiesta and bearing a similar front end design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mazda Familia</span> Motor vehicle

The Mazda Familia, also marketed prominently as the Mazda 323, Mazda Protegé and Mazda Allegro, is a small family car that was manufactured by Mazda between 1963 and 2003. The Familia line was replaced by the Mazda3/Axela for 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Courier</span> Motor vehicle

Ford Courier is a model nameplate used by Ford since the early 1950s. The Courier moniker has been used on a variety of vehicles all around the world since it was first used in North America for a sedan delivery. The Courier nameplate was also used by Ford for a series of compact pickup trucks and would also see use by Ford of Europe denoting a Fiesta-based panel van. Ford Brazil used the nameplate for a Fiesta-based coupe utility pickup marketed across Latin America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autozam Revue</span> Motor vehicle

The Autozam Revue is a subcompact car that was sold by Autozam, introduced in 1990. The demise of that marque led to the cars being renamed as the Mazda Revue in some markets. The car was also sold in many export markets as the Mazda 121, where it replaced the previous 121 that had been based on the first-generation Ford Festiva.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Escort (Europe)</span> European small family car

The Ford Escort is a small family car that was manufactured by Ford of Europe from 1968 until 2000. In total there were six generations, spread across three basic platforms: the original, rear-wheel-drive Mk.1/Mk.2 (1968–1980), the "Erika" front-wheel-drive Mk.3/Mk.4 (1980–1992), and the final CE-14 Mk.5/Mk.6 (1990–2002) version. Its successor, the Ford Focus, was released in 1998, but the final generation of Escort was phased out gradually, with the panel van version ending production in 2002 in favour of the Ford Transit Connect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Escort (North America)</span> Car model

The North American version of the Ford Escort is a range of cars that was sold by Ford from the 1981 to 2003 model years. The direct successor of the Ford Pinto, the Escort also largely overtook the role of the European-imported Ford Fiesta as the smallest vehicle in the Ford model line in North America. Produced across three generations, the first generation was a subcompact; the latter two generations were compact cars. Becoming highly successful in the marketplace, the Escort became the best-selling car in the United States after 1982, a position it would hold for much of the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Focus (second generation, Europe)</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Focus Mk 2 is the second generation of Ford Focus, a range of small family cars produced by Ford Motor Company from 2005 to 2010. It was launched at the Paris Motor Show on September 25, 2004, as a three and five-door hatchback and an estate, although the new car was previewed, in 4-door saloon form, as the 'Focus Concept' developed by Ford Europe at the Beijing Motor Show in mid-2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Zetec engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

Ford Motor Company used the Zetec name on a variety of inline 4-cylinder automobile engines. It was coined to replace "Zeta" on a range of 1.6 L to 2.0 L multi-valve engines introduced in 1991 because Ford was threatened with legal action by Lancia who owned the Zeta trademark. The company used the name widely in European advertising and later introduced it to the North American market with the Contour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Mondeo (first generation)</span> Mid-size sedan produced by Ford

The Ford Mondeo I (first generation) is a mid-size car that was produced by Ford, beginning on 23 November 1992, with sales beginning on 22 March 1993. It is also known as the Mk I Mondeo; the 1996 facelift versions are usually designated Mk II. Available as a four-door saloon, a five-door hatchback, and a five-door estate, all models for the European market were produced at Ford's plant in the Belgian city of Genk. In December 1992, Autocar published a section on the Mondeo, and how it would conquer rivals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Mondeo (second generation)</span> Motor vehicle


The Ford Mondeo Mk3 (second generation) model was launched by Ford in October 2000. This Mondeo was considerably larger than its predecessor, and although Ford abandoned its New Edge design theme for the second generation, it was their first vehicle to fully benefit from the Prodigy concept car. This gave it an overall effect which many critics felt was more restrained and mature, if much less distinctive. Two of the old car's biggest weaknesses, the modest rear legroom, and uncompetitive diesel version were addressed by a 50 mm (2.0 in) longer wheelbase and the new Duratorq diesel engine. The basic chassis and suspension design was carried over from the previous generation, which meant that the car continued its predecessor's reputation for class leading handling and ride. This Mondeo came to Mexico, replacing the North American built Ford Contour, and was sold from 2001 to 2007, when the Ford Fusion replaced it. The North American market Fusion and Ford Five Hundred/Taurus sported very similar styling, inside and out.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Mondeo (third generation)</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Mondeo Mk IV (third generation), codenamed CD345 was officially unveiled in five-door production form by Ford in late 2006. Based on the EUCD platform developed with Volvo, the platform was the same as that used in the new large MPVs Galaxy and S-MAX, but not the North American Ford Fusion or the Mazda Atenza in Japan. It was also used for several Volvos starting with the Volvo S80 II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Fiesta (fifth generation)</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Fiesta Mk5 is the fifth generation of the Ford Fiesta supermini built in Europe between April 2002 and 2008. The Fiesta continued to be built in Mexico until 2010 and in Brazil until 2014. Most engines were carried over from the previous Fiesta. This generation became the best-selling Ford Fiesta generation to date. This was the first Fiesta to be sold in Asia and Australasia, where it replaced the Kia-based Festiva.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Fiesta (sixth generation)</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Fiesta Mk6/Mark VI is the sixth generation of the Ford Fiesta supermini. The sixth generation Fiesta was shown in a concept car form as the Ford Verve at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007, with introductions in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australasia, and Africa. Developed under the project code B299 and B409, the model uses the Ford global B-car platform newly developed for the model.

References

  1. "JMC JX7130L Car (#266)". auto-che.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "JMC JX7151L Car (#266)". auto-che.com.
  3. Cleveland, Rob (March 1, 1996). "Vive la difference: Ford's Richard Parry-Jones relishes challenges of world cars". Archived from the original on July 16, 2017.
  4. de Partz, Yves (September 16, 1995). "Francfort, un salon exceptionnellement riche" [Frankfurt, a show of exceptional wealth]. Le Soir (in French). Archived from the original on March 18, 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Still going strong, Ford's youthful-spirited Fiesta is celebrating its 30th birthday" (PDF). Ford Motor Company. August 25, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 30, 2008.
  6. "Ford Fiesta becomes Best-Selling UK Car of All Time". Ford Motor Company. July 22, 2014.
  7. "Ford Fiesta Global Heritage" (PDF). Media.Ford.com. April 2010. Retrieved April 30, 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. Jian Gao. "陆风汽车北京车展全体参展车型汇总!". autohome.
  9. "Facts & Figures: Ford Fiesta (99-03) 1.6 Zetec S 3d". Parkers.co.uk. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
  10. de Partz, Yves (March 16, 1996). "La petite 121 bonne aussi pour la route" [The little 121 is good for the road as well]. Le Soir (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-01-18.
  11. Samcor Mazda Soho: Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Meg Ryan, May 26, 1998