Quote:
Originally Posted by BRGT350
Back from Ford, and I can tell you that very little is being changed. I personally met the engineer working on the Fiesta suspension, and the changes he is making is to keep the handling the same as the EU models. The US cars are getting a little bit heavier up front due to some revised crash structure, and the suspension changes are to keep the car the same as the EU car. Anyone who has taken a HS physics class will know that adding a little weight a far distance from the cg makes a big difference, so the springs are being adjusted accordingly.
After seeing about a million Mondeo's, I think I see the direction of the upper grille, and I am going to be ok with that. It matches what I have been told, and the Verve concept. The other thing about my trip yesterday is that whenever I went to a place that I could not take my camera, I saw only EU cars. Kuga's, Mondeo's, Foci, and Fiesta's. I thought I was in Europe, and that is a good thing.
I have no info on the dash or anything else on the car, but I do know that some of the pictures and my review of the interior was in the design studio as the US team is working on the car.
I was also able to meet some very important people yesterday, and I can tell you that good things are coming and motorsports is a huge part of the new Ford. Meetings are going on about the global small car performance market.
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I believe that you posted (in another thread) that the Euro suspension characteristics were going to be retained AS IS (even on the basic models) with the only changes being to account for the slight additional weight of the US car. This makes me really encouraged, because on the MKI Focus, Ford Dearborn changed various bushings and strut compression and rebound specs to make the car "more comfortable" for US drivers. The car still was a really nice handling vehicle compared to its competitiors at the time, but it took the excitement out of the product, and just made it decent. so you can't say that I have nothing positive to say about the US team responsible for the US spec car.
I still am not encouraged about the redesign of the seats, period. If when the US model with ALTERED spec seating comes around, I take a drive in it and I'm impressed, compared to what I know of the previous gen Fiesta seats, I will eat my hat on youtube for all you guys!!!!! I hope I am wrong about my concerns but I know enough about the car industry that I doubt I should believe anything else.
I don't care at all about deletions of things like the mutifunction display in the center dash or Sync and the like, I'm interested in a small Ford that is fairly basic in content ,yet has nice component quality and will be durable at a REASONABLE, NOT CHEAP price. I want value in my next small car, not the cheapest ride available.
KEEP SMALL, THOUGHTFUL TOUCHES THAT ARE CHEAP TO INCLUDE (WILL COST FORD MORE TO CHANGE OR REDESIGN)
sspl
rear fog
manual leveled headlamps
integrated "standlicht" (parking lamp) in high beam HL reflector .
I'm certain that changing the manufacturing processes for these items will actually cost Ford more than leaving them as is. All are DOT legal 50 states.
Ford planned on manufacturing the small diesel engine in mexico (for the Fiesta )along side the gas block so if Ford wants to create a new market they have the chance to do that and become a leader beating VW where it hurts becaice sadly VW has not seen fit to bring their excellent small diesels to the USA in a b class car, THEIR LOSS indeed.
One final note about making changes because a few items might "confuse" some potential buyers.
DON'T DO IT Ford!!!!!
For the few things that are more common to Europe than the US make sure that the pre delivery to the customer comes with a clear explanation and maybe a couple of "tags" attached to said items that will clearly explain their use and function. Of couse the sales person should stress that the customer should read the entire owner's manual for the full enjoyment of their new vehicle and that if they have any questions to contact them if need be for additional assistance.
I never have thought that car owner's manuals (in general) have been thought out very well over the years, Ford should make the best effort possible to make the manual thorough yet inviting to read with a "quick reference" guide at the front with the detailed sections in a seperate section.
Also, make sure the editing is done correctly, I have seen so many sloppy editing jobs of OMs over the years, with critical, information either incorrect and/or omitted completely.