Ford Fiesta North American Info Suddenly Available
Mining of Ford’s microsite (MICROSITE!) extravaganza – which gave us substantial info about the 2010 Fusion – has proven useful again. Now Ford has released what are at least preliminary data for the 2011 Fiesta – which should be on sale some time in the next 12 months (but when? and why not in the last 12 months?). The microsite (MICROSITE!) says “on the pavement in early 2010”
Engine will be the 1.6 liter Ti-VCT 4-banger. In Europe this engine has 118 horsepower. Ti-VCT apparently indicates twin independent variable cam timing. I assume some of TTAC’s engineering oriented readers will tell the rest of us if that’s significant or something that Yugo has been doing since 1959.
Transmission to be a Ford “Powershift” automatic – that’s a dual clutch gearbox. We blogged about this transmission in the Focus here. No word if a traditional stick will come to North America. Cue frustration, comments about “no stick no buy.” For the record, I love my DSG.
Stuff – Microsoft SYNC, Bluetooth, leather seats, standard electronic stability control. Also the Fiesta will offer “up to” seven airbags (dual front, thorax, curtain, and driver’s knee), and the use of the “up to” phrase means the value stripped out cars on dealer lots won’t have ’em.
Immensely bored law student. I've also got 3 dogs.
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“Ford like all the big 3 couldn’t build a subcompact to save their lives.” The 1996-2002 Mazda 121 was a straight rebadge of the European-designed Ford Fiesta, with just a different grille and a strip of black plastic at the back. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_121
I do hope they bring a manual to the US, preferably a 6 speed. However, we have to realize this is more a basic transportation car than it is a MINI fighter (at least it seems to me to be that way). Most people looking for a solid, cheap commuter are going to get an automatic. However, I hear how much fun the little FIT is, so it might be nice for Ford to compete with them by offering a manual. As far as the DSG, for those who want an automatic, they're great. I've had my new GTI for 3 months now, and I got it with the DSG after driving nothing but manuals for 12 years. Main reason was that I really liked everything about the GTI but the clutch was terrible for me. Hated it. Being the DSG was not quite a slushy auto (its very responsive and shifts fast as lightning) I shelled out the extra grand for the DSG and brought the GTI home. Like I said, 3 months, in Chicago (my previous manuals were a Miata and two Mazda 626s), I drove manuals on the freeway every day in traffic. Its a superb transmission for its intended purpose, but I already know I'm never buying an automatic/DSG/no-clutch-pedal car ever again. I miss it so bad. There just isn't anything in the world that can replicate ripping down an on-ramp and grabbing the next gear, or perfectly downshifting coming into a corner, or taking off from a stop light with just a bit of wheelspin. DSG is impressive during a test drive, and if you want an automatic there is nothing better, but no matter how much technology or how much people try to sell you, it is no replacement for a true manual. I love the car, and I'm still glad I have the GTI with the DSG and not the manual, but next time, I will find a car that offers a great driving experience AND has a great manual transmission. The only car out there that came close (besides a Miata) for the price was a MINI. Great manual with perfect pedal placement. Unfortunately it was going to be more expensive, for less content, and the MINI's interior ergonomics are truly bizarre. Didn't care for a Civic. Unfortunately that is how its going to be for us manual lovers. Choices dwindling, combined with the fact automakers are not going to put a lot of time and effort, and development work into the manuals they do make, pushing more people to automatics, so less development and fewer models with manuals, and around the circle goes. I just hope maybe next time I'll have the scratch for a BMW. I miss rear drive too :)
So, what did they do? Tie up all the beancounters and lock them in the closet whilst they designed this car? Previous poster was right, in a sense. "Ford and all the big three can't make a small car (for the American market on which thay can make money) to save their lives." Well, they now appear to be betting that this car will save their life....
Looks likea good competitor in the Fit/Yaris/Versa subcompact market and is consdierably better looking, at least in the "3-door" hatch version. Hopefully, people give it a chance because it looks like it could be the best car out there for many people. I also wish they offered it with a manual transmission, but I understand that there is little demand for a stick anymore, and it may not have made economic sense.