Ford has developed a van derivative of the just-launched redesigned Fiesta hatchback. Here in the UK and Europe, this ‘car derived van (CDV)’ will compete with General Motors’ Opel/Vauxhall Corsavan and the Peugeot 207 equivalent.
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It will “probably be launched commercially in the first quarter of 2009 in Germany”, according to Ford of Europe’s customer service vice-president Bernhard Mattes.
CO2 emissions are just 110g/km from the smaller of the two Durqtorq TDCi turbodiesel engines on offer – 68PS 1.4-or 90PS 1.6-litre – and an 82PS, 1.25-litre 16v Duratec petrol engine will also be available.
Load length is 1,292mm; maximum width is 1,278mm and height is 936mm. The critical between-the-wheel arches measurement is 1,004mm. The load ares is separated from the driver’s cab by a half-height bulkhead.
Electric power steering and electronic brakeforce distribution with emergency brake assist are offered along with optional side airbags, a driver knee airbag and Ford’s ‘EasyFuel’ capless refueling system that stops drivers from filling up with the wrong fuel.
Mattes believes the new Fiesta van will help Ford ride out tough European market conditions.
Strong sales of the larger Transit boosted sales in the 19 main European markets – including Russia and Turkey – to 180,000 units, giving Ford a light commercial vehicle market share of 9.8% in Europe.
The UK remains the automaker’s biggest van market – 50,700 were sold in Britain in the first six months of the year.
“Despite the occasionally difficult market situation, we are accelerating our efforts,” Mattes said.
