21 Mar 07
One of the few things wrong with the current-generation Ford Fiesta is that it looks far duller than it actually is. Sandwiched between the much more striking Ka and the MkI Focus when it was launched in 2002, it was met with shrugs all round. Some minor improvements 18 months ago did little to help its image. Even the hot ST model is a bit polite-looking.
Sunglasses on, then, for the arrival of the Fiesta Zetec S 30th Anniversary, a limited edition of 400 cars that you'll not fail to notice. It costs £12,595, which is £1,000 more than the regular Zetec S, but it comes with about £1,400 worth of extras. Or looked at the other way around, it costs £1,000 less than the quicker, more powerful ST. Crucially, even though the Anniversary looks far more striking and sporty than the ST, its insurance is six groups lower (and it's nine groups lower than the very rapid Vauxhall Corsa VXR).
Depending on how flamboyant you're feeling, the 30th Anniversary might make you view the regular Fiesta's visual dullness with a new respect. If, however, you've had your inner exhibitionist liberated by all those Minis decorated with stripes and chequers and flags, then this might just be the Fiesta you've been waiting for. It's mechanically identical to the normal three-door-only 1.6 petrol Zetec S, so its 99bhp gives a top speed of 114mph, it accelerates to 60mph in a useful but not exciting 9.9 seconds, and it gives the same combined fuel consumption figure of 41.5mpg. Not headline-grabbing figures, but a good balance.
