The introduction of the Fiesta Mk 3, codenamed BE-13, strengthened the Fiestas popularity, helped largely by the addition of a five-door version. The Mk3 can suit any one from a weekend shopper to a performance junkie.

Its not surprising that the Fiesta Mk3 was Britains favourite compact car for its time, there was a lot going for it including plenty of features which even new and revamped competitor ranges could not match. The choice of petrol and diesel power, the availability of the ford CTX stepless transmision and selected models and the options of antilock brakes and quickclear heated front screens on selected Fiestas, placed this appealing hatchback miles ahead.

Sometimes considered the quintessential Fiesta, this model had the longest production life of any Fiesta to date, and also achieved the highest yearly sales of any Fiesta in the early 1990s. The cars longevity meant it was the Fiesta that went through the most changes in its life. For example, the car had four different versions of standard steering wheels during its lifetime (the launch wheel, then updated in 1992, 1994 and 1995) and the most changes to standard UK trim levels of any Fiesta (examples across the years show the large line-up: Popular, Popular Plus, L, LX, Ghia, 1.6S, XR2i, RS Turbo, RS1800, Fiesta, Louisiana, DL, SX, Azura, Si, Classic, Classic Quartz, Classic Cabaret, Saphire). A Fiesta-derived van, the Ford Courier, was launched in 1991.

Fuel injection engines became available in 1991. Major changes were introduced to the range in 1994: steering wheel airbags were made standard across the range, a move not echoed by arch-rival Vauxhalls Corsa until November 2000. Major structural improvements were made to improve safety, as well as a new immobiliser being fitted to petrol models. The UK trim line-up was also simplified to Fiesta, LX, Si (which also boasted a new bumper and seat designs) and Ghia. Revised door mirrors were also fitted, as were a line-up of fresh wheel trim designs.

As for sports models, the XR2i was launched in 1989[1] with an 8v CVH (compact valve head) engine but was replaced by a Zetec 16v version in 1992, which also saw the RS Turbo being supplanted by the RS1800 as the CVH engine was being phased out, the RS1800 shared its 1.8 L Zetec fuel-injected engine with the 130 PS (95.6 kW; 128.2 hp) version of the then-current Ford Escort XR3i and had a top speed of 125 mph (200 km/h). The XR2i name was also dropped in early 1994, and the insurance-friendly "Si" badge appeared in its place on a slightly less sporty-looking model with either the 1.4 L PTE (a development of the CVH) or the 1.6 L Zetec engine.

Trim levels were again revised in October 1995, to coincide with the introduction of the Mk 4 Fiesta: the range was marketed as the "Fiesta Classic" from 1995 until production finally ceased in 1997.

Engine type(s) “ Inline-4: Petrol, Ford Kent/HCS (OHV), Ford CVH (OHC), Zetec - E

Capacity 999 1796 cc (61.0-107.0 CID)
Power 45 to 133 hp
Max. speed 86-129 mph 139 - 206 km/h
Acceleration 0-60 mph: 19.0 - 7.9 seconds
Production Period 1989-1997
Assembly Almussafes, Spain, Dagenham, United Kingdom, Cologne, Saarlouis, Germany
Predecessor Ford Fiesta Mk II
Successor Ford Fiesta Mk IV
Body styles 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback & Van
Platform Ford B platform
Fuel capacity 42L

Engines:
Kent/HCS:
999 cc (61.0 CID) 45 PS,
1118 cc (68.2 CID) 50-55 PS,
1289 cc (78.7 CID) 60 PS;
CVH:
1392 cc (84.9 CID) 71-75 PS,
1596 cc (97.4 CID) 104 PS,
1596 cc Turbo (97.4 CID) 133 PS;
Zetec:
1598 cc (97.5 CID) 90 PS,
1796 cc (109.6 CID) 105-130 PS;
Diesel:
1753 cc (107.0 CID) 60 PS

Transmission
Ford IB4 & IB5 4- or 5-speed manual gearbox & continuously variable transmission