Ford has released the first pictures of the next generation Fiesta which goes into production this autumn.

The new model will make its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 4.

It follows the same Kinetic design featured on Ford’s latest models like the new Mondeo and S-Max.

The sixth generation of the Fiesta family will be offered in both three and five-door bodystyles.

Interior specification will be high. Ford has said its Convers+ system, which is already available on the Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy, will appear on the new Fiesta. It includes keyless entry and a power start button.

The Fiesta’s new centre console features a tray for MP3 players complete with built-in sockets for an auxiliary (AUX) audio and USB cables, along with the traditional 12 volt outlet. Bluetooth connectivity with voice control will also be offered.

Customers will be able to choose from 1.25-litre (58 and 78bhp), 1.4-litre (89bhp) and 1.6-litre Ti-VCT (113bhp) petrol engines. There will also be 1.4-litre (66bhp) and 1.6-litre (88bhp) diesels to choose from. An Econetic diesel with emissions of less than 100g/km will become available later on in 2008.

All Fiestas will be equipped with a Durashift five-speed manual transmission, and a four-speed automatic transmission will be available on selected models.

Full technical details and UK trim levels for the new Fiesta range will be released closer to the launch of the production model in autumn this year.