Ford Fiesta (third generation)
| Third generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford Europe |
| Production | 1989–1997 |
| Assembly |
Almussafes, Spain (Ford Valencia) Dagenham, United Kingdom (Ford Dagenham) Cologne, Germany (CB&A) Saarlouis, Germany (SB&A) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Supermini (B) |
| Body style | 3/5-door hatchback 3-door panel van 3-door high cube panel van |
| Platform | Ford B platform |
| Related |
Ford Ka Ford Courier |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 999 cc HCS I4 1,118 cc HCS I4 1,297 cc HCS I4 1,392 cc CVH I4 1,392 cc CVH-PTE I4 1,596 cc CVH I4 1,596 cc CVH Turbo I4 1,598 cc Zetec I4 1,796 cc Zetec I4 1,753 cc LT Diesel I4 |
| Transmission | 4-speed IB4 manual 5-speed IB5 manual CVT automatic |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ford Fiesta (second generation) |
| Successor | Ford Fiesta (fourth generation) |
The Ford Fiesta Mk3 was the third generation of the Ford Fiesta supermini built by Ford Europe. Originally introduced in 1989, the Mk3 represented the biggest change to the Fiesta since the original car was introduced in 1976. In addition to the 3-door hatchback and panel van versions that had formed the Fiesta range, a 5-door hatchback was also added. The Fiesta Mk3 was replaced by the Fiesta Mk4 in 1995, but remained on sale until 1997. The Mk4 was a major restyle of the Mk3, but had the same chassis.
The Fiesta Mk3 also spawned a high-cube panel van version in 1991, the Courier, and also shared its platform with the Ka of 1996, which was derived from the Fiesta Mk4.
The third generation Fiesta, codenamed BE-13 was unveiled at the end of 1988 and officially went on sale in the February of the following year. The car was based on a new platform ditching the old cars rear beam axle for a semi-independent torsion beam arrangement and looked radically different, addressing the principal weakness of the previous generation – the lack of a 5-door derivative, something that was by then available in its major rivals such as the Fiat Uno, Peugeot 205 and Opel Corsa/Vauxhall Nova. The other main change was to the running gear – the improved HCS (High Compression Swirl) version of the Kent/Valencia powerplant. The CVH units from the second generation were carried over largely unmodified. The LT diesel engine was enlarged to a 1.8L capacity.
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