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Ford has removed diesel variants for the Fiesta from price lists as sales of oil-burning cars fall to their lowest point in decades.
Confirmed by a spokesman for the brand, the ever-popular supermini was previously available with two 1.5-litre four-cylinder TDCi units putting out 84bhp and 118bhp.
However, both have been taken off sale to coincide with the introduction of the Fiesta MHEV, a 48V mild-hybrid version of the 1.0-litre Ecoboost turbo petrol.
At the launch of the current, eighth-generation Fiesta in 2017, Ford predicted diesel variants would account for around 9% of the Fiesta’s UK volume. The UK spokesman confirmed that volumes are indeed “very, very low” and have been declining steadily in line with market trends.
Sales of diesel cars in general have been declining for the past half-decade across Europe, with blame laid at the door of the Volkswagen Group Dieselgate scandal and subsequent shifts in public – and government – opinions on the fuel.
From a 50% market share in 2014, the fuel made up just 18.4% of sales in September 2020 as hybrids and EVs continued to gain ground.
Manufacturers are slowly killing off diesel variants of existing models; for example, Mazda confirmed last week that its 6 saloon and estate (a company car favourite that used to have a diesel-heavy mix) will become petrol-only later this year.
The only person who got all his work done by Friday was Robinson Crusoe.
Anything i post over three lines long please assume it is an article lol.
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Brydo over 30 years driving and I’ve never owned a diesel fuelled car.
However I really never liked the noise, smell and the rougher ride, and yes they are much better these days but still I personally prefer the smoother drive of a petrol.ajn for the first time ever we will be getting a petrol automatic in January. I love Diesel engines and I don’t like automatics so not really looking forward to our new car.
I would have loved a BEV or PHEV but there was nothing that suited the wife on the scheme.
Obviously all BEV‘S and PHEV’s are auto so I would have needed to change eventually but I like driving up and down the gears, autos I find boring to drive but I just need to suck it up.
Yes Brydo autos I too find Autos boring however limited movement now, also my Wife will be doing a bit more driving and we too are going for a total change.
I am still quite fit ajn but you never know what is round the corner. An auto means if anything happens to me my wife could possibly take over the driving.
If I get bored I just pop it in manual mode and use the paddles, it is quite engaging to drive like that but I have found it’s impossible to match the mpg using the 8 gears myself compared to the box doing it’s own thing, the good thing is you can flip up and down the gears manually even when it’s in auto mode so that’s a nice touch.
Brydo, I thought the same about auto boxs until I got the X1, what a brilliant gear box fast smooth changes, excellent kickdown and the option to change gear manually with the steering wheel paddles or gear stick, OK not a true manual but the option is there.
Brydo – totally agree Diesels low down grunt most enjoyable to use. First came across it ages ago when testing Diesel and Petrol Citroen BXs back-to-back. Diesel won hands down. Best I ever had was a 2.0L “Dieselgate” Superb which, with 4×4, was absolutely brilliant. Had to switch to petrol after that because, after Dieselgate, the Superb oil-burners were underpowered. Moreover, decent sized petrol engines now deliver nearly as much torque as diesels. With all the right options selected my Cooper S hatch barely gets above 1,200rpm and is still delightfully prompt.
Had to switch, reluctantly, to automatic because clutch leg is quite knackered. Can still use manual but gets painful very quickly. Tried using paddles/gear selector to make “manual” changes but the car’s systems make the same decisions I do but quicker. SoI leave it in auto. Have driven auto for 10 years or so now and I reckon it’s safer than stick shifting. Just another less thing to think about so I can concentrate more on the road.
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