Ford launched the automatic variant six-speed dual clutch fiesta.

Mated to a six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, the new Ford Fiesta AT priced at Rs 8.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for its basic 'Style' variant and Rs 9.70 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the high-end 'Titanium +' trim, should make for an even more driver-friendly compact sedan with better fuel efficiency credentials than all of its current competition.

As its chairman Bill Ford predicted in Barcelona that fully-computerised cars would drive mobility by the turn of this decade, Ford India on Tuesday took the first step in that direction by launching a gearless automatic version of its premium sedan Fiesta in India.

With a price tag

ranging from Rs 8.99 lakh to Rs 9.70 lakh (ex showroom Delhi),



the Fiesta automatic will attempt at
creating a demand for an effortless and user-friendly urban sedan, a category that has remained nascent despite every competitor having a car in that space.

"The new automatic variant will further open up this segment," said Michael Boneham, president and MD, Ford India. "It comes with a very affordable pricing and better fuel efficiency than the manual one."

Fiesta was the first car to be launched as part of Ford's plans to bring in 8 new cars in India by 2015. The second in this series would be the mini SUV EcoSport that would be launched by the end of this year.

"The demand for automatic cars would grow because it is very relevant in today's traffic-congested urban commuting lifestyle," said Boneham.

India's growing C-segment of passenger cars has seen the increasing presence of an automatic gearbox variant across multiple models and manufacturers, and while the acute pricing for these AT sedans has inevitably kept them at the top of the upper trim level pyramid, the joy of driving one as compared a manual has been less than satisfactory.

Just like its arch rivals Volkswagen, Honda and now Hyundai, Ford has now introduced an automatic version of its internationally acclaimed Ford Fiesta model in India. However, what you see here isn't some old 4-speed tranny, but Ford's very own 6-speed dual clutch auto box with its patented PowerShift technology.

Weighing just 73 kilos, this gearbox has been designed to work with engines producing a maximum of 250Nm of torque and hence is said to be far more efficient and smooth compared to any other auto box currently on offer in this pedigree of vehicles.

What's more is that the Fiesta automatic also gets a feature called grade assist that intelligently selects lower gears while ascending or downshifts and uses engine braking while going downhill, a function that can be turned on or off by pushing a button next to the gear lever.

Speaking at the launch of the Fiesta PowerShift Automatic, Michael Boneham, President and Managing Director of Ford India, said "The all-new Fiesta Powershift Automatic really opens up the segment by making the aspirational become achievable.

With class-leading features like voice-control with Bluetooth, cruise control and rear-parking sensors, it offers our customers the next level of comfort and convenience."

Currently being offered only with the 1.5-litre Ti-Vct petrol engine that produces 109PS @ 6,045rpm and 140Nm@ 4500rpm, Ford claims its intelligent AT box needs no maintenance and comes with a life expectancy of 2,40,000km or 10 years whichever is earlier.