SPY PICS: 2017 Ford Fiesta mule snapped
Next phase of development for Ford's next light hatchback has moved to public roadsA prototype of the next-generation Ford Fiesta has been spied testing on public roads in Spain.
Most likely due for launch in 2017, the new Fiesta is sporting a revised front-end design as well as a rear-end refresh.
The test mule pictured also appears to have a wider track than the current car, which suggests that the seventh-generation Fiesta will be larger.
The current sixth-generation Fiesta was first launched in 2007 and then more recently updated in 2013. It's due for replacement towards the end of 2016. And that means the launch of the next-generation car is likely to be around the same time, as a 2017 model.
It seems the new Fiesta will take some styling cues from the recently updated Ford Focus, which went on sale in Australia just over a month ago.
The new Fiesta will have to compete with recently updated and increasingly advanced rivals, including the Volkswagen Polo, Mazda 2 and Skoda Fabia – our 2015 First Car of the year.
It is unlikely that the next-generation Fiesta range will be topped by an RS halo model, with officials quick to deny any rumours of such a flagship, saying that the company is more than happy with having the Fiesta ST as the performance flagship.
"The ST plays a very important role in the portfolio, in that it provides our ability to many buyers," said Dave Pericak, Ford Performance director, at the Geneva Motor Show last March.
"Could you do something with the ST? Of course."
"[But] we're pleased with where the ST is now, so [no RS] for the foreseeable future."
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