The US-Spec Hatchback Spied

[BRGT350]

I would not "buy or not buy" a car based on the spy pics. I will wait until the final car is produced before making my final decision on the Fiesta. I think all of the camo is doing a good job of confusing everyone, and if that is the goal, it is working. I love the Fiesta, and I am going to keep fighting to make sure it suceeds and keeps as much as its European flavor as possible.

The interior can't be too different, I had the mold maker who is working on the interior checking out my car. He says the interior fit/finish will be better on the US cars and the gaps are too big on the EU car. That shocked me, but also gives me hope. I don't think he is doing the dash, so no idea what that will look like.

I am not giving up hope!

[GhiaFan]

Well if Ford N.A. can leave that very specific European flair that the Fiesta presents in spades IMO, in the way it looks, how the interior looks and feels, and how the driving experience feels, you all in North America should be OK.
I think the key to the Fiesta's popularity around the globe so far is that "European flair" which IMO is Fords North America trump card. It is something the other car makers in North America do not have at the moment.

[mrbirdman330]

I agree, why make the car look like the rest of the line up.

[azulejost]

Call me detail oriented or just obsessed, but I have tried to compare these recent spy photos to photos I took of the Fiesta Movement cars in May. My analysis based on the topography of the top of the dash is that the EU shape hides beneath the thick black mat of the sedan. Good news, indeed.

Still have no clue what the wiper is up to; since no vehicle sold in the US that I can think of has a wiper in the direct visual field, I am certain the Fiesta will not be the first. More good news.

I've also looked back at the '08 Verve sedan from Detroit and have to say if we are fortunate enough to get that front bumper, we are some lucky folks. Even more so than the Europeans in my opinion.

The Fiesta is still the only next car I want, and I have confidence that Ford will get the big items right. Small features that I am a huge fan of from the EU version probably won't make the cut, so maybe there will be a way to incorporate them on my own. Come on Ocean Blue and 16" 7-spoke wheels!

[Marc]

Maybe the Fiesta is a bit more ... Focused?

[BRGT350]

I agree with you Marc, I think that is closer to what the US car will look like. The EU car may get refreshed to match. The only difference is that the upper grille will have the Verve sedan style bars in chrome. I am planning on a white Fiesta, so the chrome will be less noticable.

[mrbirdman330]

If thats the case I could have a custom grill made that isn't chrome and made Mesh, the same with the next gen Focus. I really wish I could have the chance to test drive one of the European Fiestas that are over here now.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by BRGT350

I agree with you Marc, I think that is closer to what the US car will look like.

Feeling a little better now about the car? So it's still a EU Ford design after all (sort of)

[mrbirdman330]

I'll be honest I can live with a front like that just please DEAR FORD DO NOT PUT THE 3 BAR CHROME GRILL ON IT!

[Chibana]

I'm tending to agree with you, Mark. Granted, I'm not as intensely interested in this car as some of you, but I am seriously considering it as the replacement for my 2005 Mazda3 commuter car in a couple years. I would be more inclined toward the upcoming Focus, though. Still, the Fiesta does excite me and is a serious possibility. My thoughts are that there's no point in getting so worked up over this when it's still hard to make out much. I'm not so set on the EU version's styling that I'm not open to the possibility that I may just like any changes made to the US version better. I'm just waiting to see how it goes.