The Ford Fiesta now comes with a segment-first dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
In a segment where bigwigs like Honda, Hyundai and Volkswagen offer conventional auto 'box with the usual 4 or 5-speed to play with; Ford, on the other hand, is going for an all-out attack with its 6-speed dual clutch auto 'box that boasts quite a list of features like grade assist, a feature which selects lower gears or downshifts and uses engine braking while going downhill or when you come off the throttle. What's more is the launch assist which engages the brakes for 2.5 seconds after you lift off the brake pedal, ideal while driving on steep hills or in slow-moving traffic.
This DSG gearbox is currently available only with the 1.5-litre Ti-Vct petrol engine. It produces around 108hp at 6000rpm and 140nm of torque at 4500rpm.
Two trim levels are on offer for the Fiesta automatic - the base 'Style' version, is priced at Rs 8.99lakh and the high-end Titanium + with alloy wheels, voice command, bluetooth, reverse parking sensors and other features, comes at around Rs 9.70lakh. Prices shown are ex-showroom, Delhi. This automatic version is called the Fiesta Powershift and the dual clutch auto 'box has been designed to run without any maintenance and engineered to have a life of 10 years or 2,40,000km, whichever comes first.
