While Ford was busy showing off its stylish new Verve concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the production version of the Fiesta replacement was being put through its paces in the French Alps (see picture).
Set to become the firm's new supermini entrant, it takes to European roads next summer and there are plans to introduce it to Asian and US markets by 2010.
The newcomer was developed to be radically different - in design and handling - from Polo, Corsa and Clio, and Ford wants to give it a look and feel to attract younger buyers of "the iPod-generation".
Nonetheless, the production Fiesta will come in three-door and five-door guise, and will feature a solid B-pillar and smaller wheels than the Verve concept.
There is believed to be a debate underway about replacing the Fiesta name with the Verve moniker. The engine range has not been confirmed, but the new car will use the same underpinnings as the Mazda2.