Review of the new Ford Fiesta ECOnetic - Long Term Test

Despite spiralling fuel costs and wilting polar bears, it's taking a very long time for the motor industry to dispense with the good old internal combustion engine. For years, it dabbled with the alternative of electric power before finally accepting that it was no use except for small urban-bound cars or those being used over short distances. Even now that a proper potential long term combustion engine replacement - hydrogen fuel cell technology - has been found, we've still to wait another five years or so for it to be fully developed.

So where to now? Certainly, going green has never been trendier. Modern buyers seem to care more about CO2 figures than performance statistics and we're surrounded by conflicting opinions on the eco-merits of hybrids, lean burn petrol engines and diesels.

You'd expect market leaders Ford to have a strong opinion on all of this - and of course they do. Their stance is that a package of well-judged tweaks on a conventional diesel engine can produce virtually all the eco-benefits of a complex hybrid - at much less cost. To prove this, the Blue Oval has, for the last year or so, been rolling out 'ECOnetic' variants of its diesel Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo models. We thought it was time to add one of these to our long term test fleet and check out Ford's approach in day-to-day motoring. Hence the recent arrival of our own Fiesta ECOnetic.

The first thing to say is that undeniably, few other small cars can match this diesel Fiesta when it comes to green credentials and low running costs. The headline figures are a CO2 showing of just 98g/km and a combined fuel economy figure of 76.3mpg. At first glance at least, it's all enough to make a mockery of some other makers' 'eco' model efforts.

Ford may not have been first on the eco motoring bandwagon but they're certainly pushing it forward now. This Fiesta ECOnetic represents the summit of their achievements in this respect, the company already having delivered on its promise to bring us a sub-140 g/km Ford Mondeo and a sub-120 g/km Ford Focus. Now, we've a sub-100 g/km Ford Fiesta. These models are designed to provide a compelling choice for consumers who are increasingly concerned about CO2 emissions.

"The cheapest car we've ever run on our long term fleet - and one of the most endearing.."

One of the key reasons behind this Fiesta's outstanding fuel economy actually lies in the fitment of a feature you'll find on all current Fiestas, Ford's clever electric power steering system, EPAS. Going this route was one the engineers were loath to take: many previous electric systems after all, had a reputation for giving back all the driver feel of a PlayStation and it was important that this car retained its reputation as the enthusiast's choice in the supermini class.

Ford though, were confident that they could do better - and in any case they needed to. Achieving the sub-100g/km target set for variants like the ECOnetic would require the kind of fuel-saving assistance offered by the electric steering concept. Moreover, it was clear from customer feedback that the heavy steering feel of the old Fiesta's traditional hydraulic power-assist system when parking and around town could not be repeated.

The EPAS system delivers its fuel savings by operating only when steering assistance is required and deactivating when not, thereby reducing the power it consumes from the engine and the fuel it requires. This compares favourably to a traditional hydraulic pump, which operates continuously once the car's ignition is engaged. As for steering feel, well 50,000kms of development road work went into making sure that the set-up offered a new standard for steering systems of this type. The result on the move isn't perfect but it will satisfy most potential buyers, who'll like the direct feel, the way the system copes with road camber changes and the tighter 10.2 metre turning circle.

So how exactly has Ford been able to steal such a march on rivals, nearly all of whom claim to be able to sell us 'green' versions of their small cars? Probably, the short answer is that the Blue Oval has made a bit more of an effort. Other makers do little more than fit a set of skinny tyres and throw in some low viscosity oil to create their 'eco' models. Ford go a little further.

There's a lower ride height for example, the Fiesta ECOnetic borrowing the sporty Zetec S model's lower suspension, which improves aerodynamic efficiency. There are aerodynamic improvements too with wheel deflectors and aerodynamic wheel covers. The EPAS fuel saving power steering system plays its part. And of course there are the inevitable fuel-saving low-rolling-resistance tyres in economical 175/65R14 profile

Otherwise, it's the usual seventh generation Fiesta package, one we've already praised in these pages before. We reckon that the trendy 'kinetic' styling creates a dynamic look, even when the car's stationary. That's not a recipe for class-leading interior space - and so it proves - but what's on offer has proved to be quite adequate for the kind of family use our car has been put to over the course of its long term test so far. There's reasonable, if not outstanding, stowage space, the boot capable of swallowing 295 litres (or 979 litres with the seats folded) and ingenious storage areas abound throughout the cabin. We've particularly appreciated the charging points for mobile 'phones and MP3 players.

Ford is still dipping its toe in the water with the whole ECOnetic thing, so doesn't offer a wide range of trim choices. Basically, there's one 1.6-litre diesel engine, one spec and the choice of either three or five doors - that's it. In case you're wondering about the premium for an ECOnetic model over a standard 1.6 TDCi Fiesta, the ECOnetic model is actually the cheapest way into this engine (with a normal Zetec 1.6 TDCi costing a few hundred more).

At first glance, we thought our test car pretty basic when it arrived but upon closer inspection, we found that all the basics were there. That means ABS, power steering, electric windows, an immobiliser, front, side and knee airbags, a CD player, central locking and electric mirrors. There are nice touches too: we particularly liked the EasyFuel cap-less refuelling.

And running costs? Well there's not only that headline-grabbing 76mpg combined fuel economy figure to consider but also a highly impressive 61.4mpg fuel figure around town and an astonishing 88.3mpg on the open road. Our car averages around 65-70mpg with no problem. As for that 98g/km CO2 emissions figure, well it's worth repeating, 10% better than the already impressive emissions level of the mainstream Duratorq TDCi Fiesta engine range. For reference, an ordinary Fiesta 1.6 TDCi manages 110g/km and a combined fuel figure of 67.3mpg. A no-maintenance, coated Diesel Particulate Filter (c-DPF) is fitted, designed to regenerate automatically during normal driving conditions. We've heard stories in other cars of DPFs clogging up during prolonged urban use, so bear that in mind if you're not able to blow the cobwebs out on a dual carriageway every so often.

It goes without saying that this Fiesta is the cheapest car we've ever run on our long term fleet - and it manages to achieve this while being at the same time, one of the most endearing. Eco warriors should try one before trying a more complicated route to green friendliness.

TOP 5 FIESTA DEALS

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