JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Nine finalists from the South African Idols talent show have taken a break from music to test their other artistic skills by customising a Ford Fiesta 1.6-litre Sport.

The aspiring singers came up with pencil sketches of their ideal Fiesta, which were then interpreted as computer models by designers at Greensky, a vehicle customisation company, with the finished designs aired on national television.

This is the second year that Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has sponsored Idols. Last year, the top six contestants were put through Ford’s Driving Skills for Life programme, and the series winner, Elvis Blue, drove away in a brand new Ford Figo as part of his prize.

The winner and runner up of this year’s Idols contest will see their personalised designs applied to real Fiestas, but only the winner of the show will get to drive their car away; the Fiesta designed by the Idols runner up will be awarded to the winner of the Idols Viewers Competition.

The contestants really expressed their personalities in their designs, from Dave van Vuuren’s chilli orange Fiesta to Dene Foster’s sassy pink and Phaksy Mngomezulu’s white car with gold stars. Whoever wins this year’s show is guaranteed to be the owner of a car that screams about their star qualities.

“Our involvement with Idols is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase Fiesta to South Africans across the country, and we look forward to seeing the winner drive off with it,” said Ben Pillay, marketing manager, FMCSA.

“We’ve been very privileged to share this season of the show with all the contestants and look forward to getting to know them. We wish all of them the best of luck in the competition and will be supporting them throughout the show.”

The Idols pose with the Fiesta.	Mark Haze checks out the recreation of his design.	One of the sketch designs come to life.