All is laid bare in these latest photos of the next-generation Ford Fiesta, the car having been caught undisguised - albeit a little grainily - featuring no plastic body panels and little more than the familiar chequered paint scheme. The new supermini, previously spied wearing bulky faux panels, now reveals the full extent of its affinity to the Verve, with both its shape and styling front and rear remaining true to the Frankfurt concept car.
The Fiesta remains true to Ford's 'kinetic' design approach for Europe, incorporating many of the Verve's aesthetic delights from its elongated 'feline' lights, to its swept profile and poised rear hatch, with the US-bound hatch remaining largely unchanged from the European version.
There are however several subtle modifications confirmed in the new car's camouflage-free guise. Detailing on the concept car's stylish grille, which is otherwise transferred to the Fiesta without incident, is not brought to production - a honeycomb mesh being preferred over the Verve's horizontal chrome slats design. 'Feline' lights stretch up the car's side front panel while the A-pillar flows raised onto the bonnet towards the front end - producing a more alluring hood panel, much like the Verve.
Confirmed in these photos is the culmination of the raked roofline in a rear tailgate spoiler with third-light. The rear lamps are transplanted from the stand to the showroom floor in all but the concept car's red tint, traversing up the beltline rather than a vertical alignment as on the current model.
A line-up largely identical to that of the present range's will be on offer, with petrol engines ranging from 1.2 to 1.6-litres. Two TDCi diesel powertrains will also be available, while the addition of a 1.6-litre TDCi Fiesta ECOnetic model will further enhance Ford's green range.
Based on Ford's B2E platform that underpins the Mazda 2, the new Fiesta is lighter and smaller than its predecessor, offering enhanced road handling and fuel economy, with crash safety being a top priority.
Market entry into the States is likely to be with a re-packaged version of this five-door model, atlhough modifications are expected to be kept to a minimum in order to retain its European charm, changes for the US market perhaps consisting only of specification options.
Stay with us for further information on Ford's next-generation Fiesta ahead of its release in spring next year.
