[FiestaFan]

A bit early thanks to Autoblog:

LA Preview: 2011 Ford Fiesta for America revealed, hits 40 mpg — Autoblog

The interior pictures have revealed something you couldn't tell before: the upper dash has the exact same texture as the European model!!! Way to go Ford, I'm thrilled the earlier leaked pictures were wrong (or just inaccurately textured). Not that it would have been a huge deal otherwise, and it would never have been a deal-breaker, but having that upscale-looking soft-touch dashboard really completes the car for me.

Exterior is as expected, sedan is a bit blah. Hatchback in blue =

 

[LMTech]

Pricing. What About Pricing?

 

[Mattdoommaster]

Pricing. What About Pricing?

No joke. Will it be at a reasonable price? Or will we be gouged like Fit buyers? I'm hopeful because it really wouldn't make much sense to debut a Fiesta sedan that isn't particularly more affordable then the Focus, but come on, I want to know for sure.

 

[Titanium]

Center console looks nicer; still prefer the Euro style. There is a grey interior option too.
I still don't like the fog lights, but I'm sure it will be a work around or even a redesign next year.
Still no center armrest but not a biggie.
I'm rather enthusiastic again. Thank God Ford did not screw up.

 

[FiestaFan]

So browsing the press release and one thing concerns me:

"Specially tuned front struts, bushings, dampers, stabilizer bars and a rear twist-beam axle keep Fiesta sure-footed and firmly planted. Sporty, European driving dynamics prevail."

I imagine the "specially tuned" part is just referring to what BRGT350 (I think it was him) described as changes to the suspension meant only to compensate for the extra weight of the front crash structure. Both there and later on in the PR Ford refers to keeping the European driving dynamics intact so I imagine the Fiesta will still be as brilliant to drive as ever...

Jalopnik claims the suspension has been retuned to retain Euro handling traits despite the all-season tires. So at this point, who knows.

OTOH, one thing I'm very happy and surprised to see is that they've claimed to have actually improved NVH suppression. The Euro Fiesta is supposed to be a seriously refined car but I was worried they might take some of the sound deadening out for cost reasons or to pursue a "sportier feel"; instead they've gone in the opposite direction. After driving 300 miles in a boomy Mazda3 my mind has been made that quieter is always better. So this is a welcome change, as long as it isn't reflected in softer handling.

Other interesting notes: PowerShift has been confirmed as the automatic option and is claimed to get a rather excellent 30 city/40 highway rating; the manual's only a 5-speed; rear seatback is carpeted; no fog lights (LED "driving lights" serve in their stead); and there is a veritable crapload of airbags (always a good thing I suppose).

Overall I'm quite pleased. It really looks like Ford has made upgrades over the European model in many ways (transmission, amenities), and the other changes (dashboard shape, bumpers) don't bug me at all. In fact I think the interior still looks as stunning as the European model's, if a bit bulkier.

All in all, great job Ford, this is a class act for sure.

 

[LMTech]

From Autoblog article about options
So what is Ford going to entice those buyers with? The Fiesta will come equipped with a standard four-inch LCD display, push button start, available SYNC for accessing tunes and Bluetooth capability for hands-free calling and class exclusive auto climate control. Heated seats and side mirrors, available power seats, a moon roof and outstanding leather surfaces is also available for a price. The Fiesta even comes standard with an aux port for your MP3 player. It looks like anyone who wants a Fiesta but doesn't want to sacrifice amenities won't have anything to worry about.

 

[focusse]

Great article about the all new U.S. Fiesta on Autoblog.com. But I'm trying to completely understand this statement that they made: Ford also claims the PowerShift six-speed operates with sealed internal lubrication, making it maintenance-free. That means you'll never have to check or change transmission over the vehicle's expected 10-year, 150,000-mile lifespan.

Does this sound right to you? This new Fiesta is only expected to last approximately 10 years and/or 150,000 miles? With today's cars I would expect a much higher mileage lifespan. Heck, nowadays you're just breaking it in when you hit 100,000 miles. Doesn't 10 years and 150k seem awfully low?

What's your take on this? Maybe I'm completely misunderstanding what's being stated here.

 

[FiestaFan]

Great article about the all new U.S. Fiesta on Autoblog.com. But I'm trying to completely understand this statement that they made: Ford also claims the PowerShift six-speed operates with sealed internal lubrication, making it maintenance-free. That means you'll never have to check or change transmission over the vehicle's expected 10-year, 150,000-mile lifespan.

Does this sound right to you? This new Fiesta is only expected to last approximately 10 years and/or 150,000 miles? With today's cars I would expect a much higher mileage lifespan. Heck, nowadays you're just breaking it in when you hit 100,000 miles. Doesn't 10 years and 150k seem awfully low?

What's your take on this? Maybe I'm completely misunderstanding what's being stated here.

This part gave me pause, but the "lifespan" part wasn't from the press release...maybe the 10yr/150k miles refers to a warranty?

 

[Mattdoommaster]

Great article about the all new U.S. Fiesta on Autoblog.com. But I'm trying to completely understand this statement that they made: Ford also claims the PowerShift six-speed operates with sealed internal lubrication, making it maintenance-free. That means you'll never have to check or change transmission over the vehicle's expected 10-year, 150,000-mile lifespan.

Does this sound right to you? This new Fiesta is only expected to last approximately 10 years and/or 150,000 miles? With today's cars I would expect a much higher mileage lifespan. Heck, nowadays you're just breaking it in when you hit 100,000 miles. Doesn't 10 years and 150k seem awfully low?

What's your take on this? Maybe I'm completely misunderstanding what's being stated here.

Its just a cover-your-ass thing.

 

[RadioManTodd]

10 yr 150K sounds like it might be the warranty period... wonder if that will become a powertrain warranty on the engine as well...

 

[PowerShift]

That really worries me more than anything else I've seen. I know 150,000 miles is a long time, but I still don't like having a life expectancy put on my car. I don't think they're talking about a warranty here, this is not a KIA. I just want to know what they expect to happen to that transmission after 150K.

 

[tcl]

One of the press releases indicates the car has adjustable headrests. Any idea if this applies to rake and height or just height? One the photos of the seats appears to show different angles on the driver and passenger headrests.

 

[PowerShift]

I was thinking about how this compares to the Focus:

There is really only one technical advantage, MPG, and it's an overwhelming one. The Fiesta tops the Focus by 6 mpg (projected)

Sedan-to-Sedan, the Fiesta is only two inches shorter, but has about three inches less rear legroom. It weighs within 100 pounds of the Focus, but has 20 less horsepower.

Also drag coefficient is no better than .33. The car I'm driving now does better.

This is somewhat disappointing. Really styling and MPG will have to carry the day for Fiesta. Everything else is surprisingly average, even though Ford threw a whole book of technology at this car.

 

[Scott06GT]

Great article about the all new U.S. Fiesta on Autoblog.com. But I'm trying to completely understand this statement that they made: Ford also claims the PowerShift six-speed operates with sealed internal lubrication, making it maintenance-free. That means you'll never have to check or change transmission over the vehicle's expected 10-year, 150,000-mile lifespan.

The best way I can describe it is this, the Powershift transmission will last at least 150K or 10 years without a major end item failure, However that doesn't mean it will automatically grenade itself when it does hit that mark...just that it was engineered out to that spec and will last much longer then that.

The 10 year/150K deal is Ford standard for any of its powertrain components..every powertrain is designed to meet that standard.

 

[Scott06GT]

Everything else is surprisingly average, even though Ford threw a whole book of technology at this car.

Aren't you contradicting yourself here? I don't see any other B-car that comes with all the same tech that the Fiesta will be offering in it...so thats another Ace in the hole for Ford.

 

[Chibana]

I'm happy to see the PowerShift as the automatic option, but completely disappointed there are no paddle shifters. That may ruin this car for me. It doesn't seem like it would have added that much cost to stick some paddles on there. I'd even be fine with the cheap plastic ones they gave the Taurus for its auto transmission.

 

[wilko]

I'm happy to see the PowerShift as the automatic option, but completely disappointed there are no paddle shifters. That may ruin this car for me. It doesn't seem like it would have added that much cost to stick some paddles on there. I'd even be fine with the cheap plastic ones they gave the Taurus for its auto transmission.

x2.

I am also wondering why the H pattern is only a 5 speed? But over all the Fiesta is much better than what I was expecting.

Ford just made it tough as hell to keep the 08 Focus.

 

[FiestaFan]

I'm happy to see the PowerShift as the automatic option, but completely disappointed there are no paddle shifters. That may ruin this car for me. It doesn't seem like it would have added that much cost to stick some paddles on there. I'd even be fine with the cheap plastic ones they gave the Taurus for its auto transmission.

Yeah, I'm very surprised there's not even a manual shift gate or something. Doesn't kill the car for me, I never use the manual shift on my Mazda3, but it's a feature many people will miss. I bet Ford will give the Fiesta paddle shifters in a year or two, especially if enough people complain

I was thinking about how this compares to the Focus:

There is really only one technical advantage, MPG, and it's an overwhelming one. The Fiesta tops the Focus by 6 mpg (projected)

Sedan-to-Sedan, the Fiesta is only two inches shorter, but has about three inches less rear legroom. It weighs within 100 pounds of the Focus, but has 20 less horsepower.

Also drag coefficient is no better than .33. The car I'm driving now does better.

This is somewhat disappointing. Really styling and MPG will have to carry the day for Fiesta. Everything else is surprisingly average, even though Ford threw a whole book of technology at this car.

Some of the on-paper specs aren't all that great (though .33Cd is pretty decent if you're not comparing this to a Prius), but the Fiesta is so much more than that. It's a much more sophisticated car than any of its rivals and will drive much better, too. Along with the better gas mileage, styling etc.

 

[Mattdoommaster]

Ford has updated the Fiesta website, it now goes to a news post. Only thing of real note is what looks like a for-real profile photo of a US-spec Fiesta.

Ford Vehicles News: News Article Detail | The Official Site of Ford Vehicles | FordVehicles.com

Nothing in Build and Price section yet.

 

[Blumenkohl]

Lookin' good! Hopefully driving good as well.

It's definitely on my to-buy list, but I'm gonna wait for version 2.0.

Never buy 1.0!