29/08/2008 00:24. Intended as a global product, the new Fiesta will be built in Ford factories around the world, but its design and development is very much a European affair. You might even narrow it down further. In common with the new Mondeo and the revised Focus, the Fiesta somehow feels rather....German.

A stiffer body, improved ride and handling, evident build-quality, and a wide choice of luxury features, together result in a car that has done for Fiesta what Usain Bolt has done for the four-minute mile. The one-time cheap and cheerful runabout has morphed into a world-class performer that will leave established competitors playing catch-up.

Yet cheap and cheerful has not been entirely... // New Car Net