The US-Spec Hatchback Spied

[BRGT350]

I am still planning on getting one, just not sure what it will look like yet. Everywhere I take the EU Fiesta, people stop and stare. They walk over to see what it is. They are all shocked to see that it is a Ford.

[mrbirdman330]

Its probably some huge wonky freak in Dearborn who sees what he wants on a car then decides thats what all of America wants at the same time. Quite honestly some of the options that Ford gives such as the lighted cup holders are technically illegal here in the city of Des Moines. You know this struck me a while ago, it makes me wonder if Ford had lied to the agents about there being little or no changes at all to the car for specific reasons. The important one is why have somebody run around with the car saying, "Yeah Ford gave me this to promote it which is pointless. After all were getting a fully watered down, cheapened piece of aluminum and plastic that is going to try and compete with Honda Fit and Nissan Versa." I would be willing to bet if Ford put the Fiesta as is from Europe now on the show rooms with a price to match it, they would sell that car like crazy.

[BRGT350]

I dont think Ford did anything like lying or misleading the agents about the car. Remember that many of the agents are not going to care about the exact size and shape of the bumpers, the types of headlights, the mirror turn signals, the size of the bolsters, the dash materials. For 90% of the public, they won't know the difference between the US and EU Fiesta's. The same for the first gen Focus, which many people did not have any idea what the difference was between the US and EU spec cars. Thanks to the internet, we get to look closely at the EU Fords and see what they look like. The first gen Focus was very close, but there were differences that many people would not known about. There are a very small percentage of people who carefully watch products from other markets and try to make the US cars match the better EU and JDM markets. I happen to fall into that group since I want a EU Ford. I am no different than Integra owners swapping out all the US parts for the JDM Honda parts.

Here is a very rough sketch of what I think the new bumper will look like based on the spy pics.


original

[mrbirdman330]

If thats the case I could simply buy a Fiesta get the Eurospec bumpers and rebars then do a swap then I would be happy with it looking European. I've still considered doing a MKII front end conversion to my 05 ST Focus since I do have Euro MK II headlamps and with some minor fabrication they will fit just the inside corners that connect to the grill stick out too far. A possible grill modification could fix the problem. Back on task here, that still makes the Fiesta look ugly, reminds me too much of the Mazda 3 or a New VW Beetle.

[BRGT350]

it would not be bad if the EU version and concept cars did not have such an awesome looking air intake. The Fiesta really looks plain and boring with the nose I drew, so I am hoping they just create the illusion of the large opening with black plastic. The front of the EU Fiesta is what really draws me to the car, and it is a vital part of the design. I would doubt they would take that away from the US cars, but the spy pictures are showing it that way. A can of spray paint could cover up the black plastic to make it look body color. There is just too many unknowns and possible tricks to allow for a clear depiction of the new Fiesta.

I do have a bad feeling that swapping bumpers won't work with the EU Fiesta and US version. I would guess the crash structure shape is too radically different to allow for an easy swap.

[mrbirdman330]

The task wouldn't be easy but it could be done. I'm sure a few presidential solutions would be necessary but if the unibody is the exact same then it shouldn't be a problem like earlier Foci Models.

[BRGT350]

anything is possible. It may require a different hood if the Ford oval is moved since there is a cutout in the hood for it. Until the US car comes out, none of us really know what it is going on.

[mrbirdman330]

Thats my biggest concern and I had addressed it before if the hood is different then modifications to the current hood or ordering a Euro Hood would be in order.

[GhiaFan]

Originally Posted by BRGT350

. Just look at a Mondeo compared to the Fusion. Kuga vs Escape. Do I even dare say US Focus vs EU Focus?

Your time with the real Fiesta is something like when you are on a flight in coach class and you get bumped up to 1st class on your outbound flight.
But on your return flight your not so lucky and get stuck back in economy class.

When I was in Canada this summer I was looking forward to see the changes made to the Fusion and see if the quality & refinement would be on par with the Mondeo. Sadly IMO the Fusion is still miles away from being equal to the Mondeo. That said the new Fusion is miles ahead of the out going model, and the biggest plus is that Ford N.A. is finally offering up to date features.

Too bad the new Taurus had not hit the showrooms while I was over there, am very curious how far it has evolved in the premium level.

Back to the Fiesta and the changes for American tastes supported by data collected back in 1969 , it is a shame, and what makes it worse is that Ford is telling you that they are listening to your comments and feedback to help decide what changes to make etc. Maybe there is some truth in this, but in reality Ford sees and hears what supports their own research data, beyond that I am sure they appreciated all the fuss and buzz that they are generating about the Fiesta.

[BRGT350]

In all fairness, Ford did listen to what I want the Fiesta to be like. They climbed Pikes Peak and competed in the X-Games with them

Really, I am not the typical car buyer and very few companies make anything I want. If I had the money, my type of cars would be the AMG, M, and RS series from MB, BMW, and Audi. High quality, tasteful exterior modifications, and full of performance goodies. I just want a small hatch version of that type of product. The Mini Cooper S with the JCW stuff is pretty close, but the interior is just not as nice as the SVT Focus and EU Fiesta. Hands down, I like the Fiesta the best out of anything made in the under $30k price range.

To me, the EU Spec Fiesta is a perfect car the way it is. I would prefer a ST version with more performance parts, but I could live with the EU Fiesta and be happy. Outstanding looks, superb handling, great quality, fun to drive, unique, and has racing heritage. Everything I want. The US car looks like it is going to be lacking the looks based on the spy pics. The US car should still be fun to drive, so at least that is not being changed.