Ford Fiesta Van carries new look, hybrid power in Europe

Ford of Europe revealed its new Fiesta Van with a refreshed look, more safety kit, and mild hybrid power that could net 24kpl. The Fiesta is a three-door subcompact hatchback, albeit without its rear seats to make way for 530 kilograms of payload. 

The new Fiesta Van exterior styling includes a hood with a taller nose height, a result of larger upper grilles. The Ford Blue Oval badge is now displayed within the grille. LED headlights grace the nose, while the rear benefits from taillights with black surrounds for a more sophisticated appearance.

Two trim levels are available with the Van. Sport models are set apart by a honeycomb grille, gloss black finishes, and body-colored side vents. New 17-inch metallic-finish alloy wheels and lower sports suspension are also fitted. Inside, the Sport models wear a two-tone red and ebony interior trim with contrast red stitching.

The Trend series features a grille with horizontal slats and chrome surround, as well as 15-inch steel wheels with a new wheel trim design. The cabin wears new ebony trim and comfort seat foam. 

Behind the Fiesta Van's cockpit, a grippy flat load floor is equipped with four tie-down points, and full-height bulkhead with steel mesh upper half for improved rearwards visibility. Vehicles for right-hand drive markets feature solid panels in the rear windows, instead of rear glazing.

"The new Fiesta Van’s advanced driver assistance and lighting technologies are designed to support busy drivers," the manufacturer said.

A Parking Pack includes Active Park Assist, which can automatically control the steering for hands-free perpendicular and parallel parking, while the driver controls acceleration, braking, and gear selection. A rear-view camera also supports when parking and reversing, while puddle lamps in the door mirrors alongside door edge protectors deliver extra convenience and protection.

Apart from LED lights that reduce dazzling for oncoming traffic, the Fiesta Van also comes with an array of safety tech.

These technologies include: Adaptive Cruise Control with Speed Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert and Active Braking, Lane‑Keeping Aid, and Pre-Collision Assist with Active Braking. 

Moreover, Ford's Sync 3 infotainment can be optioned with an eight-inch touchscreen, in which it adds a navigation system with live traffic updates and local hazard information. 

Boosting the Fiesta Van's performance is a EcoBoost Hybrid 48‑volt mild hybrid and gasoline powertrains.

The EcoBoost Hybrid models feature a belt-driven integrated starter/generator instead of a standard alternator, which also stores the energy used in braking and coasting to charge the 48-volt lithium-ion battery pack. The battery powers the vehicle’s electrical ancillaries and provides torque assistance. 

Photos from Ford of Europe

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