At the official unveiling of the redesigned, seventh-generation Ford Fiesta subcompact earlier in the week, the world was introduced to a brand-new model called the Fiesta “Active.”
We might be seeing much more of this new “Active” specification in the future, it turns out; according to Auto Express, Ford Europe VP of Product Development Joseph Bakaj has confirmed that the trim will be coming to additional models. The trim, which on the new Ford Fiesta subcompact conjures a raised ride height and some mildly rugged exterior touches, nudges the car closer to a crossover utility vehicle in terms of feel and aesthetic.
While one might assume that the Active treatment could encroach upon sales of Ford’s dedicated crossover models, Ford Europe CEO Jim Farley doesn’t think that will happen. “I don’t envisage there being any real crossover between Fiesta Active customers and EcoSport buyers,” he says. “We have the EcoSport as a [subcompact] SUV – but I really think the Active could be enough of an SUV for a lot of people, particularly those who just want a higher seating position more than really high ground clearance.”
The Ford Fiesta Active doesn’t seem likely to receive four-wheel drive, either, where it is available on the EcoSport.
If we were betting journalists, we would wager that the Ford Fiesta Active will be made available in the United States in addition to Europe; at the moment, the SUV segment seems to be the one where there’s no such thing as “too many entrants,” including mildly crossover-like cars.
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