Ford Fiesta

While Britain waits with bated wallet for the launch of next year's all-new Fiesta, stop-gap 1.4 and 1.6 Si models have come along, with a strong emphasis on safety and security and a lot less stress on performance compared with the ones they replace.

Externally, the new two have been stripped of go-faster paraphernalia to reduce insurance premiums. Both have enormous new front and rear colour-coded bumpers with integral fog lamps. New aerodynamic door mirrors and melt'n'twist simulated alloy wheel covers complete the external revisions.

Inside, to complement a new range of trims, we find the same old shiny plastic dash and inelegant controls.

The 1.4 Si has 75bhp which gives it a top speed of 105mph and 0-60mph in 12 seconds. Peak torque is generated at a modest 2,800rpm, which is a good thing because revving this engine hard produces an enormous amount of noise but little action. A front anti-roll bar has dramatically reduced the diving tendencies of this Fiesta, though the 1.4 Si lacks the power to really tax the car's much improved handling.The sportier 1.6 Si's 90bhp 16-valve engine gives a top speed of 110mph and a 0-60 time of 10.4 seconds. Anti-roll bars at front and rear further improve handling and ride.

The versions I drove both had power-assisted steering, which is a boon at low speed. But there really isn't enough feel through the wheel at higher speeds.

Safety-wise, almost every part of the cars has been beefed up. New side-impact protection exceeds the demands of proposed 1995 legislation, and a driver's airbag is standard. Also new on petrol models is Ford's 'Safeguard' anti-theft system. It consists of a built-in immobiliser worked by a tiny electronic device in the ignition key.

Improvements in safety, security and handling notwithstanding, both cars left me feeling strangely unfulfilled. Roll on next year and the new car.

Anthony ffrench-Constant