The latest addition to our fleet has made an instant impact, with its looks being the subject of several discussions.

The Ford Fiesta’s sweeping lines have won praise throughout BusinessCar HQ, and it even received a nod of approval from a Mercedes SLK driver while sitting in traffic.

Not everyone is taken with the daring paint-job, though, but I’m becoming increasingly fond of it. It’s nowhere near as garish as the ‘Hot Magenta’ name implies, and not as effeminate as I’d feared. If I was speccing the car again, I’d tick the same colour box with more conviction.

Ford Fiesta 1.6i Titanium 5dr
Mileage 1548
Claimed combined consumption 47.9mpg
Our average consumption 30.7mpg
P11D price £12,744
Model price range £8514-£12,744
CO2 (tax) 132g/km/15%
BIK 20/40% per month £32/£64
Service interval 12,500mls
Insurance group 6
Warranty 3yrs/60,000mls
Boot space (min/max) 295/975 litres
Engine size/power 1596cc/120PS
Top speed/0-62mph 120mph/9.9secs
Why we’re running it Can downsizing
be done without
the downsides?
Positive Looks, lots of toys,
bold colour
Negative Lack of sixth gear