It's every parent's nightmare but now Ford has come up with a way
of keeping young drivers as safe as possible behind the wheel.
A device called MyKey is being introduced on the latest Fiesta
and it is designed to stop excessive speeding and other dangerous
practices on the road such as playing music too loud.
The set-up is one of a series of hi-tech features Ford is rolling
out on the latest version of its top-selling model alongside a set
of economical new engines to keep the Fiesta ahead of the game.
With the line-up running from Pounds 9,795 to Pounds 17,545 the
entry price for the new Fiesta is unchanged but higher grade models
are moving upmarket with the introduction of Titanium X trim at the
top of the range.
It will be in showrooms in the next few weeks and heralds some
class-leading features including an active safety system to prevent
low speed shunts in traffic.
No fewer than six of the 14 engines Ford is using in the new car
come with tax-free emissions below 100g/km and one - the 1.6-litre
diesel ECOnetic - is rated at 87g/km making it one of the cleanest
cars around with average fuel economy of 85mpg.
The new Fiesta is also available with Ford's award-winning one-
litre EcoBoost engine in either 100 or 125ps power settings.
We have just tried out the higher powered EcoBoost in a three-
door Titanium trim Fiesta priced from Pounds 15,445. The car is
fitted with a stop-start system as standard and comes as a five-
speed manual.
The engine may be only a three cylinder but thanks to
turbocharging it is a lively performer, never flat throughout the
rev range and with a 0 to 60mph acceleration time of 9.4 seconds it
is the quickest of the new crop of Fiestas.
Ford is also claiming average fuel consumption of 65.7mpg,
although we fell way short managing only 42 to the gallon on an 80-
mile run but much of that was on motorways.
For the first time Ford will also be using a non-turbo version of
the three-cylinder engine and it will feature in Zetec and Titanium
versions of the Fiesta priced from Pounds 13,045.
While slower - it develops 80ps and 0 to 60mph takes almost 15
seconds - it also uses a stop-start system which Ford claims results
in the same fuel economy as the turbo and matching emissions at 99g/
km.
When it comes to ride and handling the Fiesta has always been a
fine mover yet the new car is even sharper than the current version.
From a styling point of view the new Fiesta has a completely
different nose with a five slotted grille sitting above the bumper.
It also has a restyled bonnet and the overall effect has been to
make it appear much more grown up.
Other changes include revamped rear light clusters and a more
pronounced tailgate spoiler but otherwise it is the same as the
present model which was introduced four years ago.
The extensive engine line-up - which also includes a new 1.5-
litre diesel priced from Pounds 13,395 - and the additional
equipment are part of a major makeover which will broaden the
Fiesta's appeal to drivers young and old while also increase its
profile among downsizers who want a smaller car with plenty of
features and innovation.
The MyKey device is being fitted to all Fiestas while Ford's SYNC
communications and entertainment technology, which includes
automatic emergency assistance in the event of an accident, is
standard on higher specification versions and a Pounds 200 option on
all but the entry level Fiesta Studio.
Seldom has a mid-life refresh included such sweeping changes and
without a doubt MyKey is a breakthrough.
Developed originally for Ford's American models it is being
introduced into Europe under the company's "One Ford" global
strategy and allows the main keyholder to programme the car to
reduce risks by preventing the deactivation of safety systems such
as stability and traction controls and restricting the maximum speed
to 80mph.
The most common cause of serious accidents involving drivers
under the age of 25 is excessive speed and Ford wants parents of
young drivers to promote safer driving by using the MyKey to place
restrictions on the car.
Other elements prevent the sound system from being played if
seatbelts are not fastened, limit the volume of the audio player to
stop music blaring out, give early warning of fuel running low and
emit audio alerts when certain speeds are reached between 40 and
80mph.
The restrictions can be selected one by one and once programmed
are stored in the car's memory to be activated when the secondary
keyholder gets into the vehicle.
The settings can be overridden only from the main key and
according to Ford a survey of more than 6,000 parents of young
drivers across Europe revealed that more than half would be more
likely to allow a teenage son or daughter to drive a MyKey-enabled
car.
In America MyKey has proved so popular it is now standard on most
new Fords and in Europe Ford plans to introduce the system across
its range by 2015.
