Test-driving the new Ford Fiesta 1.0L EcoBoost…

February 9, 2015 Comments (0) Sponsored Post Like

… while on camera.

I’m not great at multi-tasking but i tried my best that day!
Heading to the Ford showroom one recent Saturday morn, i helped myself to the mini buffet spread and drinks (available to anyone there to check out Ford) before getting miked up.

Thanks for the paparazzi shot, Melissa :p

Obligatory shot in front of the new Ford Fiesta 1.0L EcoBoost.
Check out its sporty body kit.
If you thought i was gonna lie atop the car, sorry to disappoint (not)

The crew followed me around during my test drive as i spoke about how i felt while my experience was going on. I hope i didn’t scare them with my driving! XD

I had a great time,
narrowly avoiding potholes in PJ,
making sharp U-turns,
accelerating and braking sharply,
deftly cutting cars,
manoeuvring the steering wheel with one hand…

It’s a very easy car to manage with sensitive steering, a minuscule shift of my hands steering it to exactly where i want it to be, once i got used to its motions.

The biggest surprise for me is how powerful the automobile is, considering its engine is a mere 1.0L.

I take it back, i can’t possibly use the word ‘mere’ after experiencing what it can do. Despite being so tiny it can fit on an A4-sized piece of paper, the 1.0L EcoBoost engine emits an output that’s higher than that of a conventional 1.6L. The turbocharged engine with 125 PS and 170 NM operates with Powershift ® six speed automatic transmissions.

The 1.0L EcoBoost engine is so impressive it’s won International Engine of the Year for three years running (2012-2014). Previously, the EcoBoost was used in the Ford Focus, but the Fiesta makes it the smallest and lightest car it’s been paired with yet. The combination between the 3-cylinder engine and the Fiesta chassis is said to be an ingenious match.

As i zipped around in the Fiesta, i was assured that i was safe with the 7 airbags surrounding me. If you’re not the type to zip around cos you’re thrifty with petrol, you’re gonna love the next bit – the Ford Fiesta uses 20% less fuel, at 5.3L per 100km. So zip away!

A feature i love that accompanies my zipping around, are the car’s daytime running lights. I’d taken on the habit of driving in the daytime with my lights on, from Clem (apparently it’s encouraged in France). It used to drive me nuts when i saw him do it, but now i understand its theory – if you’re gonna ~~speed~~ zip, you might as do so with extra precaution just in case some driver doesn’t see you cos he’s blur.

I met some of my readers that day who got to test drive the new Fiesta with me!

John asked me whether i remember “Kamkuey” and i was like, “Yes!… Oh my god that’s you?”
I remember Kamkuey commenting on my Xanga blog years and years ago.
It was so nice to have a proper chat with him about boats, fishing and upgrading life.

As John drove the car around, he told me how he’d bought a Ford Fiesta a few years ago and was keen to try the latest one out.

I told him what i knew about it – that it’s got SYNC voice activation technology (lets you make calls via voice commands), how it connects to your smartphone/iPod/MP3 player/USB stick… how it’s got keyless entry with Push Button Start. He chattered away easily about cars and taught me more about it that day.

Christal told me how she’s shopping around for a new car, as she’s driving a manual one and feels it’s time for a change. I couldn’t help proffering the fact that the Fiesta has Hill Launch Assist, preventing the vehicle from rolling downhill when on a slope. Hey, it’s a valid reassurance okay. I remember driving a super old rickety jeep up the steep hills of central Bali, having the engine die on me halfway, and praying i wouldn’t topple and tumble down the road (one of my worst fears). Any kind of assistance in that situation is heaven-sent.

It started raining while we were on her test drive, and i totally went, “Oooo…” when the wipers suddenly went on by itself.
“It’s got auto headlamp and auto rain sensors,” i explained.
“Ohhhh”

I observed its rhythm with that of the rain, and it’s pretty effective, i must say! Didn’t have to touch a single thing too.

A safety feature i appreciate when driving in the rain, is the Electronic Stability Control – a high-tech system to automatically deploys mechanisms to keep you safely on-course lest you skid. I got into an accident once after a heavy storm and totalled the car. Those few seconds when i had total loss of control were so scary i’ve tried to erase it from memory.

OK happy thoughts, happy thoughts…

Oh! Christal was so funny, she brought one of her toys to take a picture with me 😀 *Here’s the picture right here*