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Ford Hong Kong today launched its limited edition, Fiesta Sport, available only in Hong Kong as a special introductory model. The exciting Sport version has been given a stylish and sporty new look with the body kit side skirts and interior leather seats to cater to the tastes of Hong Kong customers. With the revolutionary PLAY Technology that features Ford’s unique Durashift EST, the new Fiesta Sport is set to appeal to the young, style-conscious, urban drivers.

The Fiesta is set to redefine the small-car segment by appealing to customers who are looking for a small, versatile, trendy and stylish car that best suits their active urban lifestyles, particularly in the traffic conditions of Hong Kong. It embodies what today’s small car customer want most -- Safety, Space, Driving Quality, Style and Value.

Leonard Cheng, General Manager for Ford Hong Kong, was happy to comment: “The Fiesta first made its worldwide debut at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show. With its subsequent success in Europe, we have been waiting earnestly for the arrival of the Fiesta to Hong Kong. We have been encouraged by the huge amount of pre-launch interest from the media as well as potential buyers … many of whom have been patiently waiting for this launch.

“And now, with our limited Fiesta Sport’s inclusion into the model line-up, it will certainly make the Fiesta even more desirable. With the exterior and interior facelift, the Fiesta Sport model should grab the attention of customers who are looking for something new, sporty and trendy.

“We are confident that the Fiesta will open a new chapter in the small car segment for Hong Kong. This stems not only from our confidence in the strength of the product and its performance but is obvious from the wants and needs of today’s highly discerning small-car buyer. In addition to its young and exciting new looks, spacious interior, fuel efficient engine, superb safety standards and next generation transmission technology, the Fiesta has the all-important “X” factor that customers look for to distinguish their vehicle-of-choice from the available market offerings. With the Fiesta, our customers will be delightedly surprised by its outstanding value package,” added Cheng.

The New Ford Fiesta – Less Is More

The Fiesta styling is both appealing and distinctive, which is important to small car customers. Its New Edge design conveys classic elegance, tautness, precision, strength and stability in a harmonious blend that echoes the success of its predecessor – the Ford Focus – the best selling car in the world.

In designing the Fiesta, a key objective was to provide more space and style, without sacrificing practicality and economy. It was imperative to pack a lot of space into a shape that, although small on the outside, creates room for all five occupants and their luggage. The Fiesta was created with the spirit of sharing and fun to be experienced for family and friends.

The Fiesta's high level of specification includes Ford's Intelligent Protection System with 'smart' dual stage driver and passenger airbags, power steering, leather-wrapped steering wheel, manual remote control door mirrors, tinted glass, locking fuel cap, height adjustable driver seat, body color bumpers and luggage compartment light.

The all-new Fiesta extends its reputation for value with fuel-efficient, modern powertrains that help keep running costs low. Its superior driving dynamics, improved roominess, to its safety features and overall build quality equate tremendous value to customers looking for a compact car.

PLAY Technology …The Next Generation Transmission

The 5-door Fiesta will be available with a 1.4-litre DOHC 80PS engine with a new Durashift EST transmission in Hong Kong.

Fiesta’s PLAY Technology is actually Ford’s unique Durashift EST, an Advanced Manual Transmission that represents the future of gear change operation. It is better than a standard manual gearbox because the driver can choose to select manual or automatic mode, and it has no need for a clutch pedal. It combines the control, responsiveness and fuel consumption of a 5 speed manual gearbox with the ease, comfort and convenience of an automatic. This Next Generation manual transmission repositions standard manual transmissions as "old technology".

In Auto Shift Manual mode (ASM) the transmission will automatically shift through the five forward gears. But if the driver so desires, he can go into Select Shift Manual (SSM) mode and manually select the desired ratio simply by flicking up/down on the ‘tiptronic’ styled lever.

In simpler terms, the Durashift EST technology offers the driver the best of both manual and auto transmissions to meet their individual preference. Because of this unique advantage, the Durashift EST will appeal to a large number of customers – many of whom may have up until now only ever considered a manual or automatic transmission.

Fiesta – success bolstered by Ford’s small car heritage in Europe

The first and original Fiesta was launched back in 1976, and 27 years later, the Fiesta continues to be a success, with over 2.8 million sold in the UK alone. This real measure of achievement is a perfect illustration of just how much Ford knows about building great small cars.

Living up to its legacy, the all-new Fiesta has already won rave reviews in Europe. It has won the prestigious Golden Steering Wheel Award by Germany’s best selling newspaper, beating strong competition for the top award. The Fiesta has also been rated one of the safest cars in its class by the German ADAC motoring organization with its Intelligent Protection System (IPS).


Ford Hong Kong, a member company of Sime Darby Motor Group, is the importer and distributor of Ford vehicles in Hong Kong. Its range of vehicles includes the Ford Mondeo, Escape, Galaxy, Focus, Laser and Transit.

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*Retired.