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Filed under: Ford

We’re still a bit more than a year away from getting Ford’s new Fiesta here in North America but the company has launched a micro-site for its new small car. There are downloadable images of the Fiesta and some details of the equipment that will be included on the American version. While Europeans have a variety of engine choices, it appears that we in the states will only get a 1.6L four cylinder with variable valve timing. The Fiesta will be the first US-market Ford with the PowerShift dual clutch transmission. Ford promises to keep the European-tuned suspension when the car arrives here. Production should start just over a year from now with an on-sale date early in 2010. Those interested in getting updates can sign up at the site or just keep reading ABG.

[Source: Ford]

Ford launches micro-site for 2011 US Fiesta originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupes, Economy, Videos, Hatchbacks, Ford

We’re really excited for the new Ford Fiesta to hit U.S. shores, but unfortunately we have almost two more years to wait. Our friends overseas don’t have to wait at all, though, so marketing for the attractive sub-compact has already started in the UK. One such publicity stunt involved a pair of three-door Fiestas that tore up the dance floor recently near the Tower of London at the Tango at the Tower event while a 20-piece orchestra jammed the classic tune. That’s right - cars doing the tango. Hit the jump to view the well-choreographed video of the two Fiestas going toe to toe in the rain. We’re tempted to quip that these Fiestas have better moves than Kim Kardashian, but we have no desire to admit watching Dancing with the Stars.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: It takes two Fiestas to tango

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Filed under: Economy, Wagons/Estates, Euro, Hatchbacks, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows

Well, it wasn’t the Paris unveiling we had expected, but Ford has indeed pulled the covers off its Fiesta Panel Van at the 2008 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, Germany. Based on the three-door Fiesta hatchback, the new Panel Van is designed for commercial and private users who only need to haul non-human goods and want to use the most economical vehicle possible for the job. Sure, it’s no Super Duty, but it’ll get the job done for a large number of drivers across the pond. Under the stylish hood, buyers will find a choice of gas or diesel engines ranging from a 60-horse 1.2-liter gas unit to the range-topping 1.6-liter diesel outputting 90-horsepower and 150 lb-ft. Europeans will be able to get over 67 miles out of each of their oddly-sized gallons while sending just 110 g/km of carbon out their tailpipes with the most frugal diesel engine option. See here for a preview of how the new car might drive and click past the break for all the juicy details.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford makes Fiesta Panel Van official

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Filed under: Ford, Mazda, European Union, UK, USA

We aren’t automotive executives, we just play them on the internet. If we were the real thing, one of our first decisions would be to get all the great small cars that are offered overseas into American showrooms. One of those small cars would undoubtedly be the Mazda2. Sales numbers in Europe indicate that buyers love the new little machine, and those figures stand only to climb as the automaker continues to roll out a new three-door model and diesel engines. So, if it’s such a solid car, why isn’t it sold in the U.S. market? For one reason, Mazda is concerned that having the smaller Mazda2 here could eat into sales of its hugely successful Mazda3. We wonder, though, if having two pretty big sellers isn’t better than having one really good seller. Isn’t variety the spice of life? In any case, Ford will soon be selling some of its small Euro-cars in our market, and the Mazda shares much in common with them so, in a way, we’ll soon be getting our wish.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req’d]

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Filed under: Diesel, MPG, Ford

As the new Ford Fiesta goes on sale in Europe, on of the highlights of the lineup is the new ecoNetic model that gets a combined fuel efficiency rating of 63.5 mpg (U.S.) on the EU cycle. Yes, I know the European cycle is different and testing the same on the EPA cycle would probably yield something closer to 50 mpg, but the highway rating would probably still be up around 60 mpg with its 1.6L diesel engine. Ford isn’t planning to offer the ecoNetic when the Fiesta launches here because the bean counters don’t seem to think Americans would pay $25,000 for such car. I agree with Richard Truett at Automotive News that Ford may well be wrong on this point. If nothing else, just having the bragging rights of offering a car that gets 60 mpg or more on the highway would be worth it to Ford, and probably worth $25,000 to a decent number of buyers. In the past, automakers have offered stripped-down small cars that sold in low volumes just so they could advertise the low ball prices. Now would seem the ideal time to go the other direction and offer a super mileage version at a slightly premium (no more than what a well-equipped gas MINI costs now) price. What do you think? Cast your vote!

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[Source: Automotive News - sub. req’d]

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Filed under: Euro, Hatchbacks, Ford, First Drive

Twenty-five year-old females in Milan. According to global product development chief Derrick Kuzak, that’s who Ford is hoping to satisfy with the new Fiesta. Well honestly now, who isn’t? But that’s some ambitious target, to attract the attention of the most trend-savvy (make that trend-setting) demographic in the world capital of fashion.

We didn’t pass through Milan while driving the new Fiesta through the Italian countryside, and so, to our dismay, didn’t have a chance to test out that particular target. But we did pass by a local road works crew on the winding mountain passes of Tuscany, dutifully working to keep that legendary tarmac silky smooth. They reacted to the Fiesta as if the car were the twenty-five year-old Milanese fashion model, taking notice as we approached and turning to ogle as we passed by. (They may have been shouting cat calls too, but we wouldn’t have heard them from inside the Fiesta’s whisper-quiet cabin.) That may be an even greater testimony to the new Fiesta’s styling than the Blue Oval crew had hoped for. As for our impressions, and why readers in America and around the world alike should take note, just follow the jump to read on.

Photos Copyright (C)2008 Noah Joseph / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Ford Fiesta (Euro-spec)

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Filed under: Economy, Wagons/Estates, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Ford

The new Ford Fiesta isn’t just good for going fast and looking good - apparently you can also make a panel van out of it. Details are scant before its supposed appearance at the Paris Motor Show, but this little guy is aimed at small businesses that might want something even more economical than the Ford Transit. The passenger compartment is separated from the cargo by a bulkhead and the latter can hold 1,000 liters, which quadruples the storage space of the 5-seater car. As long as buyers aren’t hauling lead, they should be all right — the car is supposed to get motors ranging from 60 to 90 horsepower. We’ll bring more details and pics from the Paris show, as all we know right now is that the Ford Feista Panel Van will start at €11,070 in Germany.

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

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