Ford has announced a new addition to the Fiesta range: an automatic transmission. The Durashift option takes the form of a conventional automatic gearbox rather than a dual clutch or automated manual transmission and is on sale now.
The auto gearbox is only available with the 95bhp, 1.4-litre Duratec petrol engine, which is claimed to do 0-62mph in 13.9 seconds and go on to 102mph - compared to the manual car's 0-62 in 12.2 seconds and 109mph. There is also a small penalty in fuel consumption with the auto returning 43.4mpg on the combined cycle instead of 49.5mpg. That has a knock-on effect on CO2 emissions, which go from 133g/km to 154g/km, enough to bump the Fiesta up two VED bands, although the difference in tax is no more than £45 at the moment.
Automatic transmission is available in Style+, Zetec and Titanium trim levels. Prices start at £13,195 on-the-road, which puts the automatic models at a £1,000 premium over the equivalent manual Fiesta. Ford dealers are taking orders now and expect the automatic to account for about ten percent of Fiesta sales.
John Lambert - 16 Jun 2009