When Ford axed the Fiesta in July 2023, the Dal-Motor team called it exactly what it was: a massive mistake. You don’t just kill off a cultural icon that topped sales charts for decades because SUVs are the flavor of the month. The market was left wide open, and aggressive Chinese EV brands smelled blood in the water. Thankfully, the folks at Dearborn have finally snapped out of it.
Ford is officially bringing back the legendary supermini for 2028, but with a massive twist. They are partnering with Renault Group to deliver an affordable, all-electric 2028 Ford Fiesta EV.
Legacy of Ford Fiesta
The original 1976 Fiesta was built on pure, lightweight simplicity. Across nine generations, it became an institution—selling 22 million units and clocking a consecutive 12-year run as the UK’s best-selling car. For 2028, Ford isn’t spending billions to build a tiny EV platform from scratch. Instead, they are raiding Renault’s parts bin, borrowing the AmpR Small platform (the same brilliant chassis hiding beneath the retro-cool Renault 5 E-Tech).
Our take? It’s a genius business move. By piggybacking on Renault’s established European supply chains, Ford can actually build this car affordably. The real test will be whether Ford’s engineers can tune out the French compliance and dial in that signature, rally-bred Fiesta handling we all know and love.
Powertrain & Performance
The legendary EcoBoost turbo-three is dead and buried. The 2028 Fiesta is a pure skateboard EV. Crucially, to keep the entry price realistic, Ford is ditching pricey nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries for cheaper, incredibly durable Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry.
Dal-Motor Projected Specs:
- Platform: AmpR Small Architecture
- Drivetrain: Single electric motor, Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
- Battery Options: ~40 kWh base pack / ~52 kWh long-range gross capacity
- Power Output: ~150 horsepower (Base trims will likely see around 120 hp)
- Torque: 180 lb-ft (245 Nm) available from 0 RPM
- Target WLTP Range: 200 to 250 miles on a full charge
Performance: 0-60, 0-100, and Real-World Range
Don’t expect Tesla Plaid numbers here; that’s not what a Fiesta is about. This car is built for slicing through tight city streets and twisting B-roads.
- 0-60 mph: ~7.8 seconds with the 150-hp motor. It will feel much punchier off the line than the old petrol models thanks to instant electric torque.
- 0-100 mph: ~19.5 seconds. Ford will almost certainly cap the top speed around 95–100 mph because high-speed highway cruising absolutely obliterates an EV’s range.
- Efficiency (The New MPG): We expect this package to achieve roughly 4.1 miles per kWh. In old-school terms, you are looking at an internal combustion city equivalent of well over 130 MPGe.
Exterior: Retro XR2i Vibes
Visually, Ford is dodging the sterile, soap-bar styling trend that plagues modern EVs.
Our design sources reveal that the 2028 model heavily channels the aggressive, boxy DNA of the late-80s Fiesta XR2i hot hatch. Expect a grounded stance, wide track dimensions, digital Matrix LED headlights mimicking the classic square frames, and massive gloss-black lower faux grilles. Standard trims get 17-inch aero-alloys, while sportier versions step up to 18s.
Interior & Tech: Minimalist but Functional
Inside, the cheap, scratchy plastics of old Fiestas are gone, replaced by a clean, tech-focused cabin layout.
- Screens: A driver-facing 12-inch digital dash works alongside a massive 13-inch floating infotainment hub.
- Software: It runs Ford’s newest SYNC platform, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and smart EV routing that maps your charging stops before you even leave the driveway.
- Packaging: Because the electric motor lives low down and the wheels are pushed right out to the bumpers, rear legroom is vastly superior to any previous petrol Fiesta.
Competitor Analysis
Warranty & Coverage
To save on overhead costs, Ford is assembling the Fiesta right alongside the Renault 5 at Renault’s ElectriCity hub in Douai, France. To reassure buyers worried about long-term EV battery life, Ford’s global EV warranty will apply:
- Bumper-to-Bumper: 3 years / 60,000 miles
- Electric Powertrain: 5 years / 60,000 miles
- EV Battery Pack: 8 years / 100,000 miles (guaranteeing it holds at least 70% of its original capacity).
