In the U.S., the availability of an automatic transmission on any new mainstream model launched into the market is a must while a manual gearbox is considered more of a luxury. In Europe it's the other way around with only about 10 percent of small car buyers specifying an auto option. So it comes to no surprise that Ford has just introduced an automatic transmission for its UK market Fiesta range. The new Durashift automatic is matched to the Fiesta's 1.4-liter gasoline engine that produces 96-horsepower.

With this transmission option, the Fiesta Automatic sprints (we're being sarcastic now) from standstill to 62mph or 100 km/h in 13,9 seconds while delivering 43.4mpg UK (6.5lt/100km or 36.2mpg) and a CO2 rating of 154g/km on the EU combined driving cycle.

The Fiesta 1.4-litre automatic is offered in three trim levels - Style+, Zetec and Titanium, with prices in the UK starting from £13,195 on-the-road.