Ford's Fiesta is 30 and the boys at the blue oval are keen that we don't forget it. We've had the Anniversary special edition model and now it's time for the Celebration. Once you've clapped eyes on the car, you could be forgiven for thinking that the faithful old Fiesta is in the throes of an early onset midlife crisis. With day glow Celebration Green paintwork and a chequered flag roof decal, it's very 'New Rave' but if that's what it takes to get down with the kids these days then so be it.

When the Fiesta Zetec-S Anniversary edition was announced, buyers were understandably keen to get involved. Here was a well equipped and sporty special edition version of one of our most popular superminis. The Radian Yellow paintwork was highly distinctive and Ford informed us that only 400 would ever be produced. It looked like a stonewall bargain with that extra element of exclusivity helping to generate interest but it now appears that Ford was being mildly disingenuous. It's true, only 400 Anniversary Fiestas were offered for sale but owners of that car will get a savage pang of deja-vu when they read the specification of the Fiesta Zetec-S Celebration. The two cars are largely identical bar the Celebration's use of Celebration Green paint instead of Radian Yellow. Of course, only 400 Celebration models will be made available as well but who'd bet against a Fiesta Zetec-S Birthday Party making landfall in the coming months resplendent in shocking pink?

The black and white roof is set off in dramatic fashion by the Celebration Green paint. The car also has door mirrors, side mouldings, a tailgate handle and a rear spoiler picked out in black. Side mouldings lower the car visually while the dropped front suspension does so in reality and the 16" alloy wheels supply the finishing touch.

"?the lime green and cheques ensemble will find favour with enough extroverts to shift Ford's 400 units"

Equipment levels are particularly generous given that the special Zetec S Celebration features come in addition to the items found on the standard Zetec-S, which itself is no pauper. There's an MP3 connection socket, air-conditioning, privacy glass, a silver bezel for the dashboard and chequered scuff plates that match the roof. The best bit though is the full leather seating.

The asking price for all this is £12,595 which, according to Ford, gives the Fiesta Zetec S Celebration edition some £1,400 of free equipment. The Green bodywork won't be to everyone's taste but that price tag and the fact that only 400 of these particular Fiesta models will be available should prove a strong draw.

Though the standard Fiesta Zetec S is available with a choice of petrol and diesel powerplants, Ford is only offering the Zetec S Celebration with the petrol option. The 16-valve 1.6-litre engine is certainly no ball of fire but it's enough to render the Fiesta a warm hatchling. Ford claims a sprint to 60mph in 9.9 seconds and a top speed of 114mph and we wouldn't argue with such figures. The engine note is rather uninspiring, but the exhaust sounds a little fruitier in Zetec S guise than on less sporty models and a combined fuel consumption figure of 41.5mpg coupled with manageable insurance ratings means it'll doubtless appeal to younger buyers.

Where the Fiesta really scores is in the handling stakes. Its road manners have been elevated to a position to challenge any existing supermini, whilst its ride and refinement is comparable with the class best - cars like the Renault Clio and Volkswagen Polo. The steering was obviously engineered by somebody who understands the needs of keen drivers, being nicely weighted and rich in feedback without becoming a wearing distraction. The seats are a different matter altogether, lacking lateral support at the sort of cornering speeds the excellent chassis routinely coaxes you into. The Fiesta shrugs off mid-corner bumps well and has a genuine big car feel. If there's one complaint about the Fiesta's handling, it's that it may almost be too clever for its own good. The verve and pizzazz of the old car's handling has been smoothed out. In making the car more competent, a little of the fun factor has been excised.

With the current facelifted Fiesta, Ford haven't gone too overboard. The grille is now of a diamond mesh design, the headlamps are pointier and the side mouldings grow thicker as they progress rearwards. The rear lights have been reshaped, as have the bumpers and the overall effect is a slight move away from the Fiesta's inherent chunkiness in a sleeker, more dynamic direction. Dramatic the changes are not. If you liked the look of the sixth generation Fiesta, and the sales charts suggest that plenty of people did, you'll like today's version of it.

Get comfortable in the narrow driver's seat and you'll be greeted with a dashboard that adopts many of the quality conventions of the Mondeo range, and that's good news. On the current model, there are more of the in vogue soft-touch surfaces but, happily, the uncomplicated layout and the durable feel remain. Nice touches include a digital display in the instrument cluster which gives the radio station name and other handy titbits that you'd otherwise have to divert your eyes from the road to obtain. The volume on the stereo is speed sensitive, so as wind, road and engine noise increase with your velocity, so does the volume of your favourite song.

The driving position is fairly good, with light pedals and a height adjustable driver's seat. The way that Ford have raised the gearlever onto a pedestal places it quickly to hand. On a practical note, the seats are easy to fold down, those integrated rear headrests making the operation simplicity itself. Where the Fiesta falls down is in the lack of clever cubbyholes and the singular lack of any cup holders. Grab a takeout from KFC and you'd better get used to the Colonel's Hot Wings tasting of Fanta.

Zetec S Celebration model is no shrinking violet but the lime green and chequered ensemble will find favour with enough extroverts to shift Ford's 400 units. If you feel inclined to get in on the act, you'll be getting a fine handling and toughly constructed supermini into the bargain. The Fiesta may be 30 but it's still young at heart.