Ford Australia's new 2006 Fiesta range is now complete, following the addition of the sporty Zetec models to the line-up.

First shown at last year's Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, the new German-engineered Ford Fiesta range receives a distinctive new look with revisions to exterior styling, fresh interiors, vibrant new colours and an impressive list of features.

There is also a new soft-feel upper dash section, as well as new switches and controls with improved ergonomics and appearance, and new style air outlets that produce a flush finish when closed.

A new seat trim fabric and design completes the Zetec interior and is offered in a selection of modern colours combinations – Moonlight Sapphire, Moonlight Ruby and Moonlight Jade – depending on the exterior paint colour.

Three vibrant new paint colours have been introduced with the release of the WQ Fiesta range – Tango, Jeans Blue and Sea Grey – all of which are available on the Zetec.

However, in addition to the host of exterior and interior styling and design improvements, the Fiesta Zetec also boasts some unique features to appeal to the enthusiast driver.

Sports suspension heads the list of mechanical upgrades and is complemented by larger diameter wheels fitted with low profile tyres and a set of revised gear ratios for the manual transmission.

The sports suspension system delivers more precise steering feel as well as providing sharper handling characteristics. The changes include:

• Revised springs front and rear, which deliver a lower ride height for a more aggressive stance, as well as stiffer spring rates for better body control
• Revised, stiffer dampers front and rear, which also provide better body control
• Upgraded, thicker front anti-roll bar
• Revised suspension bushes front and rear
• Stiffer rear suspension twist beam

Zetec now rides on 16-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels as standard, fitted with 195/45 R16V low profile tyres, while the manual transmission features a revised, closer-ratio gear set.

Coupled with the Fiesta's 1.6-litre Duratec 16-valve all-alloy engine, which produces 74 kW of power at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 146 Nm at 4,000 rpm, the new manual transmission improves the Zetec's acceleration and responsiveness.

An 8.6 per cent lower first gear greatly improves launch feel, while an 11.4 per cent lower fourth gear enhances responsiveness in the cut and thrust of city traffic.

"Fiesta Zetec offers a spirited and performance orientated driving experience," said Ford Australia President Tom Gorman.

"This list of new sports features will further enhance the Fiesta's already impressive reputation for superior driving dynamics, which are a hallmark of the Ford DNA that's inherent in sports models across the entire Ford vehicle range."

Despite the raft of improvements and upgrades applied to the new Fiesta Zetec, pricing remains unchanged for the manual transmission model at $18,490*, while the automatic transmission Zetec is now available for $800 less than its predecessor, at $19,990*.

* Recommended retail pricing excluding dealer delivery and statutory charges.