Ford Fiesta XR4 2007 Review

From the moment you turn the key you know the XR4 has been penned with passion.

It has a taut, chunky feel, a lively and tractable engine, intuitive steering and suspension tuning as close as you'll get to a go-kart without upsetting your lunch.

At $24,990, the German-built two-door hatch is the new value benchmark for the sporty light-car class, lining up alongside the Polo GTi and Suzuki Swift Sport.

And its non-turbo status opens it up to P-plate drivers.

The XR4 is powered by a modified version of the 2.0-litre Zetec engine from the Focus.

Output is 110kW at 6000rpm and 190Nm of torque from 1500rpm, an increase of 3kW and 5Nm.

It's the power-to-weight ratio and the gearing that give the XR4 its magnetic performance.

Breathe on the throttle in any gear and it's off, delivering strong and flexible punch in the useful low-to-medium rev range, accompanied by a healthy guttural engine note.

Manual only, the five-speed, close-ratio gearbox is slick and precise.

However, the ratios are chosen for sprinting, not cruising. With the engine pulling a busy 3000rpm at 100km/h in fifth gear, a relaxed tourer it is not.

Fuel use is a claimed 7.4 litres/100km on the combined town-highway cycle, and the engine is tuned to run on 95 RON.

The suspension has been lowered and stiffened and the brakes upgraded.

The chassis is finely balanced, with near-neutral handling, flat cornering, exceptional grip and turn-in response, and a ride on the rigid side of firm, yet not bone jarring.

Grip from the fat Pirelli P Zero Nero tyres is tenacious, even on gravel, at the expense of a wide turning circle.

The steering is quick and pin-sharp.

Traction control is standard and the stability control system is programmed for late intervention and can be switched off.

A body kit adds deeper bumpers, integrated side skirts and a large roof spoiler.

Visually the XR4 is either purposeful or loud, depending on whether it has the optional $300 racing stripes.

Stretching from tip to toe, the fat stripes ensure an XR4 will never get lost in a car park or be mistaken for anything else on the road.

The interior is dressed up with snug sports seats, a grippy sports steering wheel, extra engine gauges and alloy pedals spaced just wide enough for big feet.

With or without stripes, the XR4 is guaranteed to add spice to your life.

Snapshot

Make: Ford

Model: Fiesta XR4

Equipment: Six airbags, airconditioning, six-disc CD audio, anti-skid brakes, 11-spoke 17 inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, electric windows, heated mirrors and steering wheel audio controls.
 

Cost: $24,990