The long-awaited arrival of the smallest engine produced by Ford has come to an end. The 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine has made its way to Canada and has been perfectly fitted to Ford’s smallest car – the Fiesta. 

The three-cylinder engine might be a joke to some, but in light of this fuel efficiency age, smaller seems better and it’s definitely small considering that the engine only weighs 215 pounds. What it lacks in mass, it makes up for with punchy and growly action thanks to the use of turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable camshaft timing. A lot of effort was put into making this perfect small engine that includes the use of aluminum for the cylinder head and iron for the engine block, resulting in smooth and quiet ride with limited vibration.

When it’s all set and done, the small and mighty German built-engine produces 123 horsepower and 125 lb.-ft. of torque that can go up to 148 with the use of an overboost at higher gears. Ford has set this new EcoBoost engine to produce 90 per cent of its torque from 1,350-5,375 RPM, which will reduce any acceleration lag. 

Ford set-up a daily event for us journalists to test out the Fiesta 1.0L. Lined in front of the meeting spot were six brand-new manual Fiestas, all in SE trim. Why is that? Because that’s the only trim that the 1.0L comes in. You do get the option of sedan or hatchback for the same price of $17,970. That comes with an EcoBoost badge for both the sedan and hatch, but the sedan will get an added Rear Decklid Spoiler.

It’s very curious that the smallest car is only available with a five-speed manual transmission, considering that 80 per cent of Fiesta sales are automatic, but Ford wouldn’t provide any information for why this is the case. Furthermore, Ford wants the 1.0L to be an alternative for buyers looking to buy diesels or hybrids, but how many of those purchases are manual transmissions? 

It’s just baffling, but I digress. Let’s talk about the drive. 

The drive included some highway driving, twisty roads and a man-made handling course. As I get onto the highway and upshift into third gear, I immediately notice the growl and fiery notes from the engine. The 1.0L backed up the Ford talk, showcasing its skills as an engine designed for better fuel economy without compromising on performance. The gears can be shifted easily and shows some spunk until you get into fifth gear, where it loses a lot of its momentum. It doesn’t huff and puff like other smaller cars in high gears, but let’s you know in a calm manner that’s in a small urban car and it ain’t gonna go much faster. 

The 1.0L weaved its way through traffic, as any small compact should that’s worth its weight. The drive itself was enjoyable, as it was composed, smooth and had very little road noise. 

The second component of the event was the handling course. A little surprising to set-up such a course more suited for a sports car, but it just shows how confident Ford is in their little subcompact. The Fiesta’s handling was able to make quick cuts at the start of the course and picked up speed instantly when needed. It cornered well through some more angled turns and was able to stop on a dime at the end of the course. 

As for fuel economy, Ford has rated the 1.0L at 6.2L/100 km in the city and 4.3L/100 km on the highway. These numbers place the 1.0L as best in class on the highway for a non-hybrid car that uses regular gasoline.

Overall, for a subcompact, the Fiesta 1.0L impressed. It stayed true to its small and mighty billing, forcing me to rename it ‘Mighty Mouse.’ There are still a few problems with it catching on and that is mainly due to it only being available with a five-speed manual. Considering the Fiesta’s market is catered to female drivers between the ages of 25-35, I’m not sure where the 1.0L slots in. Clearly the target market will shift more to the male side, but Ford will miss out on a lot of sales without an automatic transmission offering. However, it will might just come in due time. 

For someone who loves to drive stick, the Fiesta 1.0L has everything you want in a compact car. Its power stands up to any of its competitors, while simultaneously saving lots of money at the pumps. Add in its funky look and appeal, and Ford has put together a winner with some punch.