New car news

16 July 2008 - 12:00

Fiesta-r billing

The new Fiesta is fast approaching, and at the British motor show next week, Ford will show off the sportiest variant of its implausibly handsome liitle supermini: the Zetec S.

Sportiest, that is, until we see the new Fiesta ST, but don't expect that to be for some time. In the meantime, though, the Zetec S - which will go on sale in October along with the rest of the new Fiesta range - should do nicely.

Powered by a new 1.6-litre Ti-VCT petrol engine (that's twin independent variable cam timing, obviously) developing 118bhp, it'll hit 62mph in just under 10 seconds but still return 48mpg, making it quicker and more frugal than the outgoing Fiesta's 1.6-litre engine.

You also get a rather nifty rear spoiler, 16-inch alloys and, more worryingly, an interior with 'designs inspired by snowboards'. Presumably the dash will require a good waxing a couple of times a year.

Ford also mentions that the driving position in the new Fiesta is some three centimetres lower than in the old model, a fact that once again has us looking happily forward to the arrival of the new ST.

And, speaking of hot Fords, don't forget that the new Focus RS is also debuting in London next week. We like the Focus RS.