Official press release:

THE FIESTA URBA

NEW CONCEPT CITY CAR DEVELOPED FROM THE NEW FORD FIESTA

Ford has designed and developed a concept "City Car" model of its new Fiesta with a single door for the driver, twin doors for the passengers and a traffic-fume filter installed in the heating and ventilation system.

Called the Fiesta Urba it is designed to assess customer reaction to what could be a new generation of chic city cars that are easy to drive and park, secure when left unattended and practical in use.

Debut in Geneva

The Urba design prototype - in bright yellow for added visibility and safety - has electronic sensors in its front and rear bumpers for precision parking, a temperature controlled storage area for the transport of perishable goods, a safety deposit box and an infra-red remote control high security door lock and alarm system.

The Urba will make its public debut at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 7, where the reactions of visitors to the Ford Stand will be monitored and recorded for further analysis by Ford Marketing Staffs in Europe.

Fiesta Automatic

The Urba is based on a Fiesta 1.1 automatic fitted with a special push-button control system for the CTX transmission, anti-lock brakes and variable-ratio easy-park steering. The unique asymmetric hatchback body with one offside driver's door and two kerbside passenger doors has been designed for added safety in traffic.

The rear door on the kerbside of the car has an automatic electrically-operated childproof latch which can be over-ridden for approximately 60 seconds by the driver using a switch on the centre console. The tailgate also has an electric remote release.

Storage for Food

Behind the driver's door in the fixed rear quarter panel a special interior storage area has been created to house a "Designer" shopping bag, made in bright yellow leather to match the car. It houses such personal effects as a Filofax organiser, Walkman stereo tape player and a telescopic umbrella. Extra space for bottle and can storage is provided in the passenger compartment and there is an electrically controlled warm or cool food storage compartment in the floor of the luggage area.

To reduce the unpleasant effect of traffic fumes, a special filter is fitted to the heater intake, with optional fragrant disc insert. There is both seat and safety belt height adjustment for added comfort and a "hands-free" car phone is also provided.

Ultrasonic Bumpers

As an aid to city parking, both of the special, metallic grey front and rear bumpers are equipped with four ultrasonic proximity detectors. As the distance to any hidden obstacle reduces, the system emits a bleep warning that increases in frequency. The system is activated by a facia-mounted microswitch, while there is a further switch for the radio controlled garage door opener. There are also protective bodyside mouldings to guard against accidental knocks.

A number of special security features are fitted to the Fiesta Urba. A remote infra-red central locking system coupled to an anti-theft alarm releases the doors and turns on the interior light before the owner need approach    the car so that the interior can be checked for a hidden intruder. The radio/cassette player incorporates an anti-theft security code and a heavy-duty safety deposit box is built into the glove locker to protect any valuables in the car.

No Spare Wheel and Tyre

To eliminate any risk from changing a punctured wheel in a congested city street the Fiesta Urba is equipped with the CTS wheel system which features tyres that stay on their rims when deflated. This    advanced new concept eliminates    the need for a spare wheel and allows the car to be driven safely up to    300 km on a completely flat tyre.

Mr Andy Jacobson, Ford's European director of design, said:

"The Fiesta Urba has been conceived to reinforce the advantages of the new Fiesta in busy town conditions and add some unique features for the modern city environment. We have aimed the car to have special appeal to young people who may have just taken on the responsibilities of a family but still want a car that's fun."

FIESTA URBA SPECIAL EQUIPMENT 

Exterior features:

Asymmetric bodyshell with one offside and two kerbside doors

High visibility, bright yellow paint colour

Full depth bodyside protection cladding in metallic grey

Full depth asymmetric-design front bumper

Tinted glass tilt/remove sunroof

Interior features:

Grey environment mouldings (facia and headlining)

Moulded XR2i seat contours trimmed in grey 'Halley' fabric and bright yellow leather, with grey 'Halley' head restraints

Sidewalls trimmed with grey 'Halley' fabric inserts and

bright yellow leather roll tops

Seatback stowage nets

Sports steering wheel

Twin vanity mirrors

Special quarter panel stowage behind driver's seat (with tailored shopping bag and bottle/can rack)

Tailored floor mats with bright yellow leather edging

Comfort and convenience features:

Rapid electric windscreen de-icer Front seat belt height adjustment Electric front windows Remote electric tailgate release

Automatic rear kerbside childproof lock (with remote electric override facility)

Remote infra-red central locking and anti-theft alarm Car entry security lighting

Door open warning light and puddle illumination

Security-coded radio/cassette player

Facia cassette stowage

Glovebox safe with combination lock

Sonar warning safety parking system

Remote garage door opening system

Hands-off car phone

Functional and mechanical features;

1.1-litre HCS lean-burn low emission engine

Ford CTX continuously-variable automatic transmission

(with electronic push-button selector controls)

Anti-lock braking system

Variable-ratio easy-park steering rack

CTS safety wheels and tyres

Split-view aspheric door mirrors

Warm/cool stowage box in luggage compartment floor Anti-dust/smell ventilation filter Facia-mounted parking brake Load compartment tie-down system

Fiesta Urba was built around the idea of a city shopper vehicle. It offered everything the customer would require for a day of power shopping in town.

This ultimate city car concept had two doors on the near side and one on the far side of the vehicle, plus parking aids, built-in garage door openers, a refrigerator in the boot and innovative interior stowage areas.

Finished in a distinctive shade of yellow, the Fiesta Urba was an attractive model. Its interior carried the yellow signature colour as well as accenting grey materials with bright colours.

SOURE: Ford

Engine & performance:

Position: front

Type: Ford Fiesta, 4-cylinder

Capacity: 1117 cc

Power: 50hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque: 83 Nm @ 2700 rpm

Dimensions:

Length: 3700 mm

Width: 1590 mm

Height: 1335 mm

Wheelbase: 2290 mm