Hot 4s Festiva XR4 Review

MISTA FIESTA · 21-03-2007, 02:23 PM

" …at this year’s Mebourne Car Show, unveiling a stack of new models, with our pick of the bunch the ultra-sporty new Festiva XR4.

Now, we tested the Festiva Zetec a while back and found it to be a truly great bit of gear, so we’re really chomping at the bit to try this version out – as should all you P-platers out there looking for a bit of N/A love.

The XR4 will be powered by a specially modified version of the 2L Duratec 16V engine to deliver around 110kW of power and 190Nm of torque, which is plenty to get moving along with a bit of haste.
To keep the sporty side of the bargain up, the XR4 will only be available in three-door and short-throw manual, with twin body stripes really helping to set it apart in the hot-hatch crowd.
Festiva XR4 is the second high-performance car in the Ford Australia line-up to come from Ford’s TeamRS organisation. It joins the XR5 Turbo.

"The new XR4 is more than just a badge, it is a whole new performance and design concept devised by TeamRS as an ongoing part of its road car programme," explained Jost Capito, TeamRS Director.
"The new Festiva XR4 encapsulates the spirit of 'fun to drive' and aims to bring out the enthusiast in every driver, while being enjoyable to live with as an everyday car."

A stiffer rear twist beam and revised shock and spring tuning will also see the road-holding step up a notch, and steering will be quicker acting as well. For a model first, the XR4 will also be fitted with rear disc brakes.

Inside, there’s comfy sport seating and a kind of VE-Commodore-esque two-tone dash and trim layout, which should help spice things up a bit. There’s a leather-wrapped tiller, and we’re big fans of the rubber gear-boot. Plus, you get all the safety acronyms of much larger models, including DSC, EDA, ABS and TCS.

Let’s hope it delivers the goods come the second half of this year.

photn · 21-03-2007, 02:25 PM

Roflcopter>....

Jess85 · 21-03-2007, 02:28 PM

was that article actually published in a magazine? do they not have an editor!?

MISTA FIESTA · 21-03-2007, 02:29 PM

Can just picture all the fully sick P platers rocking up to ford " I want the festiva xr4, uleh " funny enough the dealer will probably know what they are talking about.

Not too sure if it is published anywhere beside their website.. ill see if i can throw in the www.fordfiestaxr4.com link somewhere on there forums.

**Polyal** · 21-03-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MISTA FIESTA

Can just picture all the fully sick P platers rocking up to ford " I want the festiva xr4, uleh " funny enough the dealer will probably know what they are talking about.

It should go without saying the more they sell the better. Perhaps one day we might see a RS through your FPV dealer.

MISTA FIESTA · 21-03-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

It should go without saying the more they sell the better. Perhaps one day we might see a RS through your FPV dealer.

Too true, even if they dont know what it is.. Dont think an RS version will be made(scratched in Euroland) but an FPV equivilent would be nice. Just import all necessary parts and say hello to 150kws. Would have to be AWD.

Ives · 21-03-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MISTA FIESTA

Can just picture all the fully sick P platers rocking up to ford " I want the festiva xr4, uleh " funny enough the dealer will probably know what they are talking about.

Hahaha,

: that'd be funny-as. You'd be surprised how many Ford dealers refer the Fiestas as the "new Festiva". I wont name names, but yeh... shocking!

Ivan : "hi there, i'd like to get a quote on a minor service for a Fiesta"
Ford : "No problems, the Festiva was it?"
Ivan : "Fiesta, not Festiva"
Ford : "Ah right, the new ones"
Ivan : "

: "

Same with places like Autobarn, Repco etc etc... lack of education.

Jess, yes I wonder what the editors are doing... maybe they're not getting paid enough.