Ford Fiesta Active: All-Seasons Fiesta
FORD FIESTA ACTIVE
ALL-SEASONS FIESTA
Words by Giorgio Conti
Photos by Ian Waltteri
After our first drive with the seventh generation of the Fiesta, Ford also presented the crossover version, promptly named Active. It’s not just a simple spec by the way, but a proper model on its own that promises to keep intact the exceptional driving skills of one of the best hatchback around, offering you the opportunity to travel less conventional bits of roads still keeping a young look that the same time winks the eye to practicality. The most distinctive features of the Fiesta Active from the traditional counterpart are mainly two, ground clearance which has 18mm extra and the black plastic bands around the wheel arches, which are able to slide with the new bumper without distorting the look of the car from the blue oval.
In terms of driving, the differences compared to the normal model are really difficult to notice, especially regarding body roll and balancing through corners, always reduced to a minimum thanks to the soft structure of the car, but it is worth stressing how the improved height from the ground infuses a greater driving serenity, especially when the road is not in perfect condition or on dirt grounds, as long as you do not want to tackle on difficult paths, since this is not an off-road and traction is logically on front wheels only. The Active range is rich and offers both petrol and diesel engines, obviously leaving out the performance of an ST version – available for the standard body of the Fiesta – but once again the ideal choice turns out to be that of the Ecoboost 3-cylinder, a supercharged 1-liter that can deliver 86 horses, or 100 as those of the model I’m testing. Although the weight is not much and slightly exceeds a ton, the horses available are essential to break free in traffic with greater security, not to mention secondary roads, devoured without the slightest problem, although we are certainly not talking about a car voted for speed. On the 0-100 kph it takes 10.6 seconds and top speed is about 180 per hour, interesting figures after all, even if you will hardly find yourself with a stopwatch in hand.
What counts on a car like the Fiesta Active is the ability to adapt to the frenzy of everyday life, a good load capacity at the back and an interesting equipment, as already seen last year on the Fiesta ST-Line and Vignale, which represent the top level specs. If the red color of the body confirms its youthful and cheeky inclination, the cockpit is comfortable and accommodates up to four people, without sacrificing too much the passengers sitting behind. The five-door under test is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission and the new navigation system through an 8-inch touch screen, compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connection. Then there are optional 17-inch 5-spoke wheels and the ability to select the Eco driving mode and the specific one which will adjust the ESP in case of snow or mud on the road. As far as fuel consumption, the Fiesta Active 1.0 is brilliant thanks to its 170Nm of torque, with a declared mixed cycle of 4.8 l/100km. Finally, with prices starting from just over € 18,000, you can take home a small crossover, but able to respond positively to every need related to driving in the city and even away from it. Complete and well made, except for some plastic that still maintains a cheap look nevertheless still in line with most of its rivals, the Fiesta Active does not lose the qualities of the model that instead goes to enrich with an offer that will surely attract those who live in the countryside or look for a partially elevated perspective on the road ahead.
FORD FIESTA ACTIVE
Layout – front-engine, front wheel drive
Engine – 3 cylinder 998cc – turbo
Transmission – 6-speed manual gearbox
Power – 100 hp @ 4.500 rpm
170 Nm @ 1.500 rpm
Weight – 1.163 kg
Acceleration – 10,6 sec.
Top Speed – 183 kph
Price – from € 18.250