Ford Fiesta Econetic (2009) CAR review

Ford’s gone green with the Fiesta, and added an Econetic version to the range. The usual green mods are present: low rolling-resistance tyres, lowered suspension, rear air deflectors, a modified ECU (peak torque is actually 6lb ft down on the standard engine), low-viscosity oil and a higher final drive. Oh yeah, and it’s got one of those annoying lights that reminds you to change up a gear (though not one for changing down).

For all that, you’ll pay a steep £12,445. That’s £1050 up on the equivalent 1.4 TDCi Style trim level and includes no alloys, air-con or heated front screen. For those, and a 1.6 engine without the green works, you’ll need to pay an extra £650 for Zetec trim.

Sounds like a lot. This Ford Fiesta Econetc better be good then.

Okay, well the good news starts with the headline CO2 output: it’s 98g/km, so this Fiesta falls into the free zone for road tax and London congestion charging. Its claimed 76.3mpg combined figure is up from the standard 1.6 engine’s 67.2mpg (only available on Zetec up) and, curiously, beats the Style 1.4’s claimed economy by the same amount.

It’s interesting that Ford has chosen the 1.6 for this model, rather than the 1.4. Perhaps somebody there has realised that, to make decent haste, you have to drive everywhere flat out with the smaller engine. That’s bad for economy and emissions. More likely is that the 1.4 isn’t available with a particulate filter.

Are you telling me this thing’s quick, then?

Of course not, but it’s certainly adequate. Follow the strict regime of the shift light and you’ll make modest progress but enjoy relative silence. Give it a poke and you’ll wake things up, getting under way with a satisfying shove at the expense of some diesel racket.

Despite the higher final drive, the Econetic doesn’t feel over-geared: it cruises quietly yet doesn’t lose speed on motorway inclines. And the gearshift has the same precise yet smooth and easy feel of any Fiesta.

>> Click 'Next' below to read more of our Ford Fiesta Econetic first drive