Ford has unveiled its seventh-generation Fiesta, which introduces new technologies, powertrains and personalisation options as well as the debut of an upscale Vignale model and the Active crossover.

Ford revealed four distinctive production variants of the Fiesta, including the Titanium, the ST-Line, the Vignale and the Active crossover

Revealed at a special event in Germany, the new model will still be available in three and five-door bodystyles, and is built on an updated version of the same platform that brings an extra 71mm in length and 12mm width, giving greater space for occupants.

Exterior design is updated to “to make it more contemporary, yet not lose the ‘Fiesta-ness’ that the customers love”, according to Joel Piaskowski, director, design, Ford of Europe, and includes an opening panoramic glass roof for the first time. Piaskowski added: “The next generation Fiesta is refined, yet much more sculpted with an equally emotional appeal. Fiesta’s exterior is visually simpler, allowing us to create stronger personalities within the expanded line-up, each with distinct fascias, grilles and details that will appeal to a much broader range of customers.”

For the first time, the line-up includes an Active crossover model, which brings rugged SUV styling with a raised ride height, roof bars and additional cladding.

An upscale Fiesta Vignale model will also be offered. This joins the Mondeo, S-MAX, Kuga and Edge Vignale models and offers bespoke 18-inch alloys wheel designs, exclusive exterior detailing and colours, and hexagonal-quilted, tuxedo-stitched leather seats.

Ford has also carried over the ST-Line trim, which brings sporty detailing including alloy wheels, grille, front and rear bumper and side-skirt designs and bespoke interior detailing along with sports suspension.

The higher-spec Titanium trim has also been retained, which accounted for nearly 60% of overall sales in the first 10 months of 2016, and Fiesta will also be available in the entry-level Trend model.

Engine line-up includes Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost unit with 100PS, 125PS and 140PS, and a new six-speed manual gearbox with a reduced friction architecture that helps deliver from 97g/km CO2 emissions or an optional six-speed automatic gearbox for the 100PS variant with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The petrol range also features Ford’s 1.1-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, which is offered with a new five-speed manual gearbox in 70PS and 85PS versions, replacing the outgoing naturally aspirated 1.25-litre petrol engine and delivering more power and anticipated reduced CO2 emissions from 101g/km.

The diesel range includes Ford’s 120PS 1.5-litre TDCi engine – marking the first high-power diesel powertrain ever offered for Fiesta. This comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and anticipated CO2 emissions of 89g/km. The 1.5-litre TDCi engine is also offered with 85PS – 10PS more than the most fuel-efficient outgoing Fiesta – with an anticipated 82g/km CO2 supported by Ford’s new six-speed manual gearbox.

Auto‑Start‑Stop technology is offered for all engines, and Active Grille Shutter for the 1.0-litre EcoBoost and 85PS 1.5-litre TDCi engines.

Updated driver assistance technologies see the new Fiesta become the first Ford with Pedestrian Detection that can help prevent collisions at night and the first Ford Active Park Assist system that can deliver brake interventions to prevent low-speed bumps when parking hands-free.

Fiesta is also the first Ford to feature a premium B&O PLAY Sound System while SYNC 3 connectivity is now supported by floating high-definition touchscreens up to 8 inches in size.