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takes its toll
A DIESEL-powered version of the Ford Sierra car gave me 726 Utrea/100km (38.9mpg) on a 2,000-mile trip to Italy and back — four up and its ample-size boot full of luggage. But will it. I wonder, make a mark to compare with that of the Cortina as a fleet car?
The Sierra is reported to have captured a large share of the company market*. Fleet buyers have reservations concerning residual value, but, while continWog to dislike its shape, and faced with large discounts, have capitulated into buying it in quantity.
What are the reasons for this dislike? It has Eighties styling up to its waistline, but above that includes some bad elements of design from the Thirties
I am in a minority in liking its overall profile, but I must admit that, tapering as it does towards the roof from all sides, the top half of the body encroaches on or space. The thick edict ViSlen and this large
mum torque of 139Nrri (103Ibft), the power output falls between that of the 1.3 and 1.6-litre petrol engine while torque is between the 1.6 and two-litre ratings, On my trip — four day's motoring the full tank range gave more than 500 miles motoring.
However, lack of power became acute in the French Alps where altitude took its toll On the more normal French country roads, overtaking had to be judged with care while making full use of the gearbox and engine torque. On autoroutes the moderate power output was sufficient to sustain moderately fast speeds in overdrive fifth r over all, except for the r inclines. It was clearly in is environment, with almost constant engine speeds, where it performed best,
The seating is roomy and the shaped rear seats provide good support, The deep transmission tunnel divides the floor area making it impracticable to seat more than two people in the ear seat for anything more than ocal journeys.
There is too much plastic across the facia But in true Ford character, the demisting system worked Weil.
For rear sold passengers there was no escept magnified by atandowsk.
On starting, like a London t but one* 00 thi
height, are well placed and are light to operate.
The steering, also light, with a heavier than standard power unit, felt positive.
These days, perhaps, the ashtray should be thought of as an optional extra. Ford has done the next best thing by making it difficult to reach, forward of the gear stick.
Although tyre noise carried with the road surface, inside it remained relatively quiet.
Neither the driver nor sten gers were left unduly tired.
In Britain the beneficial consumption performance of diesel power is offset by the filthy conditions often surrounding the fuel pump. The filler gun is usually covered in a liberal coating of derv. Unless you take the precaution that many drivers adopt of carrying a pair of industrial gloves, your hands quickly become equally dirty.
At my local garage the f rate of the pump made the froth up, making it a timee suming exercise to fill the ti Continental service stati usually have attendant ser and are better equipped to c for the diesel powered car.
* The Company Secretary's view Survey of Company Schemes, produced by Tin Publishing, claims that 67 cent of the 1,000 firms •
vassed will be usi Sierra compared cent for the Vau and 30 per cent for the tro. Over the past six he Sierra is the top-se in Britain, claiming 9.6 of the market an wetting the same Cortina model t
Ballow powar, motorists, mskos soriso for the heat