New Fiesta: Three-Door Style And Added Driving Comfort

• New Fiesta three-door world debut Paris Motor Show, September 2002
• UK debut, British International Motor Show, October 2002
• Available in Finesse, LX and Zetec trim
• Prices announced October 2002, to start below £8,000
• Coincides with debut of Durashift EST auto-shift manual transmission
• All on sale December 2002

There's more Ford Fiesta choice this autumn, with the debut of a stylish, sporty three-door model and a new auto-shift manual transmission.

Aimed squarely at younger drivers, New Fiesta three-door is the latest addition to Ford's small car family and closely follows the introduction of the five-door model and Ford Fusion urban activity vehicle, offering a wider choice of new small Fords.

A more compact, agile and deliberately sportier exterior design combine with New Fiesta's acknowledged spaciousness, comfort, safety and driving quality. The result is a car with a more youthful, stylish personality, but with New Fiesta's characteristic spacious and practical interior.

New Fiesta three-door will build on the success of the five-door model, which has already proved a hit with UK customers.

"It's got sporty looks, great handling and loads of space, which I'm confident will make three-door Fiesta a hit with younger, image-conscious buyers whose priorities are a car that's great to look at and has space for friends," said Brendan Lyne, brand manager for small cars, Ford Motor Company Limited

Also making its debut across the Fiesta range is the new Durashift EST (Electronic Shift Technology) automatic-shift manual transmission, providing the flexibility of manual-style shifting with the comfort and ease of use of an automatic. In an instant, the driver can change from a full automatic to a sequential manual shift with no need for a clutch pedal. Durashift EST will be available from December, on 1.4-litre Duratec 16v petrol engine Fiestas, in a choice of Finesse, LX or Ghia trim.

All new models and technologies will be on sale in the UK from December 2002, with prices announced in October 2002.