Rumours are mounting that production of the Ford Fiesta could come to an end soon as the brand shifts from petrol power to an electric line-up.
The supermini is the best-selling car in British history and has been a constant presence on the country’s roads since it launched in 1976. In the years since then, the Fiesta has gone through eight generations and sold more than 4.8 million units in Britain alone. However, a focus on more profitable larger electric vehicles is thought to be behind the rumoured plans to bring production to an end as early as mid-2023.
If this is the end of the line for the Fiesta it will mark the demise of a car that’s acted as everything from a driving school staple to a full-blown rally star as well as acting as trusty family transport and a desirable hot hatch. To mark its potential demise, here are some of the standout cars from the Fiesta’s history.
5. M-Sport Fiesta WRC
It might be stretching the idea of what can legitimately be called a Fiesta, but this £675,000 rally monster does share the same name and some of the same roots as the other cars on this list. Built to compete in the World Rally Championship by the legendary M-Sport, this Fiesta features four-wheel-drive, three differentials, a six-speed sequential gearbox, hydraulic handbrake and produces 380PS from its 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine. At the hands of Sebastian Ogier, it claimed the WRC title in 2017 and 2018. | M-Sport
6. Mark 6 Fiesta ST
Unlike its predecessors, there was no sporty version of the Mk4 Fiesta and the short-lived fifth generation got the Zetec S which, while driving well, wasn’t exactly quick. So the Mk6 Fiesta ST was a true return to form. The first road car from Ford’s RS division, it plonked a 148bhp, 2.0-litre Mondeo engine into the tiny Fiesta, sharpened up the already impressive chassis and threw a load of sport styling and trim at it. The result was a hit and paved the way for subsequent generations to claim the title of best small hot hatch. | Ford
7. Ford Fiesta Vignale
The eighth generation of Fiesta has a model to suit just about everyone. There are budget friendly basic models, sporty ST-Line for those who want hot hatch looks but not the insurance bills and Active for anyone after a crossover-tinged hatchback. Then there’s the Vignale, the luxury Fiesta. The Vignale stands out for adding touches such as a leather-topped dashboard, quilted leather upholstery, every gadget available and lashings and lashing of chrome to what remains a 1.0-litre supermini. It’s faintly ridiculous but also strangely appealing, especially as a used buy. | Ford
8. Fiesta van
Not content with scooping up custom from driving instructors, boy racers, the police and hard-pressed parents, the Ford Fiesta also has a long-standing appeal for businesses. While the Transit is the undisputed king of vans, there’s been a commercial version of the Fiesta since the very first generation. Largely a Fiesta with blanked out rear windows and no rear seats, the van has proven a popular solution for businesses and tradespeople looking for a small, affordable work vehicle. | Ford