The S word

They're a good bunch, the Aussies. I spent some time in Australia studying for a masters degree and found the Australians, almost without exception, to be fun-loving, informal, cheerful and ever-ready for a party. Their sense of enthusiasm was infectious, and I was beginning to get a strong whiff of it at the launch function of the Fiesta variants. Michael Boneham, Ford India's new managing director and president, was bonhomie personified, circulating amongst us hacks and looking pleased as punch.

Similarly, John Lonsdale, veep, product development, and Sam (you can't get any more informal than "Sam", can you?) Barmby, B-Car programme manager for Ford Asia Pacific and Africa, were in a jovial mood, reeling off jokes and contributing to the overall lightness of mood. As a group of auto company executives, they were certainly the most easy-going bunch I've come across thus far and their outlook on life appears to have contributed significantly to the car in question here, the Ford Fiesta 1.6S.

"We're really, really proud of this car," exclaimed Boneham as the covers were whipped off the vehicle, and at first glance it was not difficult to see why. The Fiesta 1.6S, in Aquarius blue (a colour unique to this model), looked pretty smashing.

The external changes to the Fiesta were most apparent on this car