Ford Fiesta S1600 (UK Edition)

12450 Views 64 Replies 9 Participants Last post by golf strom, May 15, 2010

BRGT350

Discussion Starter · Apr 27, 2010

For those of us who are obessed with white hatches, here is the latest offering from Ford UK. Besides the stripes and the lack of 2 rear doors, this is probably the closest example of what my Fiesta will look like. With the Mountune kit, it perform about the same as well.

Ford UK gets new tarted-up Fiesta S1600 — Autoblog

Press Release from Ford UK
NEW FORD STAR WITH STRIPES – FASTER FIESTA CONTINUES PROUD HERITAGE

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 26 April, 2010 – The thoroughbred lineage of fast Fords has a new addition to the family, in the eye-catching new Fiesta S1600.

Based on the popular Fiesta Zetec-S – with a generous standard specification that includes alloy pedals and Quickclear windscreen – the sporty Fiesta S1600 interior adds heated, stitched leather sports seats with standard side-airbags, leather steering wheel, handbrake cover and gearknob, plus Motorsport-branded floor mats and scuff plates.

On the outside, the sporting pedigree is made clear, through a comprehensive body-styling kit that includes a unique front bumper with flared lower valence panel, extended side skirts, large rear spoiler and rear diffuser, finished with 17-in, white alloy wheels (16-in on diesel models). The newcomer's special paint finish is available in Frozen White or Performance Blue, with contrasting motorsport stripes.

Performance comes from Fiesta's responsive 1.6-litre, 120PS Duratec Ti-VCT petrol engine, now with 120PS. For performance enthusiasts, a further engine upgrade package will be offered via Ford's established performance tuning partner, Mountune.

Fiesta S1600 continues a 30-year sporting Fiesta bloodline that began with the Mk1 XR2 in 1981 and has included Supersport, XR2(i), Si, RS and ST models.

Gill Palmer, Ford of Britain's Fiesta Product Manager, said: "Since its introduction, Fiesta and sporting pedigree have never been far apart and the latest incarnation of that is S1600, bringing extra motorsport feel to the award-winning Fiesta style and driving quality."

Fast Ford fans are encouraged to act quickly, with only 650 of these special faster Fiestas being created. They are available now from Ford dealers, priced from £16,645 on-the-road.

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Marc

· #2 · Apr 27, 2010

I really get fed up with all those whining babies on Autoblog, Leftlane and the likes. First they wanted a Euro Ford, then they get something as close as possible and still they are complaining.

Yes the nose is a bit different, but that's because of a heavy steel structure hidden behind where the upper hole of the big grille used to be, yes it's made in Mexico, but that's for cost cutting reasons, yes it's not the cheapest small car out there, but that wasn't the aim (carefully targeting the public who'd like to buy a Mini but found that too expensive), yes the engine only has 120hp, but a real European Fiesta is offered with a 60hp 1.25 liter engine and you wouldn't want that. Get over it! It's even has better suspension, Sirius, Sync, automatic, better seats than the Eurocar for crying out loud!

And then their final comment is: 'I'm disappointed and will not buy this car', without having seen the car in the flesh, having touched the dash, and having driven it. Whining unsatisfiable shortsighted morons!

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iamz

· #3 · Apr 27, 2010

Marc said:
I really get fed up with all those whining babies on Autoblog, Leftlane and the likes. First they wanted a Euro Ford, then they get something as close as possible and still they are complaining.

Yes the nose is a bit different, but that's because of a heavy steel structure hidden behind where the upper hole of the big grille used to be, yes it's made in Mexico, but that's for cost cutting reasons, yes it's not the cheapest small car out there, but that wasn't the aim (carefully targeting the public who'd like to buy a Mini but found that too expensive), yes the engine only has 120hp, but a real European Fiesta is offered with a 60hp 1.25 liter engine and you wouldn't want that. Get over it! It's even has better suspension, Sirius, Sync, automatic, better seats than the Eurocar for crying out loud!

And then their final comment is: 'I'm disappointed and will not buy this car', without having seen the car in the flesh, having touched the dash, and having driven it. Whining unsatisfiable shortsighted morons!

The truth probably is that none of these "disappointed" people were ever going to buy the car anyway. Even if Ford had shipped Fiestas right out of Germany and into a US Ford dealership, these same folks would have found something to bitch about. The only thing humans have truly perfected (at this point in our evolution) is bitching.

mrbirdman330

· #4 · Apr 28, 2010

My only complaint is lack of Fogs mainly the front. Thats about it, I'm just glad they really didn't muck up the interior and add an arm rest for the morons who have to have it so they rest their elbow on it and text while driving.

BRGT350

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 28, 2010

I agree with you Marc, and iamz pointed out, most would never buy the car anyway. They just need a spot online to bitch about stuff. I agree with Birdman as well, I wish it had front fog lamps. Otherwise, it is as close to the EU car as it could be, and better in lots of ways. I still like the EU nose way better, but I have a plan to "help out" the US version to look closer to the EU one.

I have been thinking about going with the S1600 side and top stripes on my Fiesta. It actually looks good on the car. I can't wait until they have some interior pics available so I can see if there are any white/blue trim peices they added.

eRic

· #6 · Apr 29, 2010

reading the press release -- blah blah blah. then the following:

For performance enthusiasts, a further engine upgrade package will be offered via Ford's established performance tuning partner, Mountune.

now this got my attention

BRGT350

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 29, 2010

Besides the header from the Mountune upgrade, I am planning on putting together my own blend of their upgrade for my Fiesta using FSWerks and Ford Racing parts. The header is where the big gains are, but my wife will kill me if I end up with another ungodly loud daily driver. For those who knew my old ZX3, it was always the loudest car at the racetrack. I loved it, but others did not.

The more I look at the ST1600, the more I am convinced that unchroming the Fiesta and making the air intake larger is a must for the US car. A perfect oppertunity for the aftermarket would be for somebody to make a bumper cover for the US car that mimics the EU nose. Its not as aerodynamic, but it looks so much more evil.

I would even settle for a new air intake insert that would require the factory bumper cover to be cut in order to install an insert to mimic the EU nose. The top part of the insert would have to be closed off since the crash structure is back there, but at least it would look more aggressive. There is some potential here for the aftermarket.

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iamz

· #8 · Apr 29, 2010

Hey BRGT350,

Any ideas as to where you would buy the racing stripes from? Or were you thinking of painting? I found one site that sells stripes in many different colors but would really like a metallic or metal flake. Tapeworks (makes kits for motorcycles) doesn't sell stripes but they do sell there material by the length. They have some really nice metallics, flakes, and pearlescents and of course, solids.

BRGT350

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 29, 2010

I am not going to do the stripes, but there is a local sign company that does some outstanding vinyl work. They have done a number of cars, including my friends award winning 2007 Mustang GT. I used to have some Modern Image Signworks graphics on my ZX3, but as it aged, the vinyl shrunk. The adheasive stayed on the paint and I always had a ring of dirt around all the graphics. The only graphics I am thinking would be a thin blue visor on the windshield and my website on the rear bumper, where FiestaMovement is on the EU test car. I still have not decided.

mrbirdman330

· #10 · Apr 29, 2010

I'm chaning my mind about my Fiesta color I'm definately going to be doing the Asian Sport Model with the Candy Red Metallic.

LMTech

· #11 · Apr 29, 2010

iamz said:
Hey BRGT350,

Any ideas as to where you would buy the racing stripes from? Or were you thinking of painting? I found one site that sells stripes in many different colors but would really like a metallic or metal flake. Tapeworks (makes kits for motorcycles) doesn't sell stripes but they do sell there material by the length. They have some really nice metallics, flakes, and pearlescents and of course, solids.

My stripes will be painted on my Fiesta. I stickers for the reasons that BRGT350 said. It may cost more but it will last a whole lot longer and look a whole lot better

BRGT350

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 29, 2010

My friend with the Mustang GT is now considering having the stripes removed and painted on since they are shrinking on the hood.

golf strom

· #13 · May 1, 2010

Marc said:
I really get fed up with all those whining babies on Autoblog, Leftlane and the likes. First they wanted a Euro Ford, then they get something as close as possible and still they are complaining.

They are right to complain, since Dearborn decided it was necessary to alter the car WAY more than necessary to meet DOT/EPA regs....

The bottom line was that Ford stated that they were going to give us the Fiesta with only the changes required by the gov't...

Now we have a product that is 60% altered from the excellent RoW product.
A far cry from what Ford had originally claimed would happen. I'm not saying that the baubles like sync aren't desired by the US gimmick driven customers but many of the changes were simply not reqired as as most in the press indicated the EU car was just about perfect in the first place.

Yes the nose is a bit different, but that's because of a heavy steel structure hidden behind where the upper hole of the big grille used to be, yes it's made in Mexico, but that's for cost cutting reasons,

The question were Ford REQUIRED to make this modification by gov't law?
I really don't mind if the car is produced in Mexico as long as I get the same good product that the RoW is getting.

but a real European Fiesta is offered with a 60hp 1.25 liter engine and you wouldn't want that.

What are you talking about ? You have a range of choices in the RoW from a 1.6L turbo diesel with amazing mpg (i'd prefered this engine) to the 1.6 we get, here to the 1.4L you mention.

Get over it! It's even has better suspension, Sirius, Sync, automatic, better seats than the Eurocar for crying out loud!

Me and others are quite happy to wait until the altered product comes t o the showroom so we can test the changes in the real world.

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BRGT350

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 1, 2010 (Edited)

For the last fricken time, not all changes were made to make the feds happy. They made the us car better for the consumer.

golf strom

· #15 · May 1, 2010

BRGT350 said:
For the last fricken time, not all changes were made to make the feds happy. They made the us car better for the consumer.

One "opinion" of course. Not all consumers are YOU.

FiestaFan

· #16 · May 2, 2010 (Edited)

golf strom said:
They are right to complain, since Dearborn decided it was necessary to alter the car WAY more than necessary to meet DOT/EPA regs....

Hardly. The mirrors, headlights, bumpers front/rear, dashboard, steering wheel, and doors were ALL been confirmed to have been changed to meet US regulations. Those regulations are clearly more far-reaching than you continue to think they are despite all evidence to the contrary.

golf strom said:
The bottom line was that Ford stated that they were going to give us the Fiesta with only the changes required by the gov't...

Now we have a product that is 60% altered from the excellent RoW product.
A far cry from what Ford had originally claimed would happen. I'm not saying that the baubles like sync aren't desired by the US gimmick driven customers but many of the changes were simply not reqired as as most in the press indicated the EU car was just about perfect in the first place.

Again wrong. The US Fiesta is 60% identical to the Euro car, 40% changed. And many of those changes are minor things, like the altered wing mirrors and lower dashboard to comply with what are silly but nevertheless compulsory regulations.

golf strom said:
The question were Ford REQUIRED to make this modification by gov't law?
I really don't mind if the car is produced in Mexico as long as I get the same good product that the RoW is getting.

Yes yes and again YES!!!!! US regulations are much stricter when it comes to low-speed impact resistance, and when a European car is sold in the US that means changes to the front and rear crash structure to be legal if the car wasn't designed to be sold in the US from the very beginning, i.e. the EU Fiesta. The US Fiesta has a larger rear bumper which isn't that noticeable, but since the entire front end of the car is essentially the front bumper the entire front needed to be re-shaped to accommodate the beefed-up frame. And, because the strengthened frame was heavier, suspension changes were required to ensure the car handles as well as the European-spec car, which by all accounts it does.

To recap:

Required changes that Ford HAD NO CHOICE but to make were:
-New bumpers, front and rear
-Loss of foglamps (due to lack of room inside the retrofit US bumper for the necessary wiring)
-New headlights (to accommodate the amber reflectors)
-New wing mirrors (which nevertheless look identical to the EU mirrors anyway)
-New lower dashboard (for some sort of crash regulation)
-New steering wheel (also crash regs I imagine)
-Redesigned door panels (crash regs again)

Changes that Ford didn't NEED to make but did just to spite our dear golf strom here include:
-SYNC (which the majority of customers will probably consider an upgrade)
-Fabric covers on the rear seatbacks instead of exposed metal
-Tweaked suspension to accommodate US-spec heavier front and rear crash structures and US-standard all-season tires (because otherwise, the handling wouldn't have been as good as the EU car)
-A six-speed dual-clutch auto that's far superior to the EU's four-speed torque converter
-More sound deadening

There were a few cost-cutting changes, like losing the projector headlamps, but on the whole the US changes outside of regulation compliance ADDED content to the car instead of subtracting it.

You don't care about SYNC and standard stability control (which is a safety feature for crying out loud) because it's not on the European car and therefore, by your reasoning, worthless. If the European car had SYNC and DSC and ours didn't you would be bitching about it, I'm sure.

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golf strom

· #17 · May 2, 2010 (Edited)

FiestaFan said:
Hardly. The mirrors, headlights, bumpers front/rear, dashboard, steering wheel, and doors were ALL been confirmed to have been changed to meet US regulations. Those regulations are clearly more far-reaching than you continue to think they are despite all evidence to the contrary.

No, I understand this..The problem I have is that Ford DIDN'T do these extensive changes to the Transit that is here in the USA....that says one thing to me..that they WEREN'T required..
I'd be darn curious to know the amount of change that was made to the Transit. Maybe then I will be able to agree with you

Again wrong. The US Fiesta is 60% identical to the Euro car, 40% changed. And many of those changes are minor things, like the altered wing mirrors and lower dashboard to comply with what are silly but nevertheless compulsory regulations.

A honest misprint on my part. I know the car is 40% altered..still a WHOLE lot of change!

Yes yes and again YES!!!!! US regulations are much stricter when it comes to low-speed impact resistance, and when a European car is sold in the US that means changes to the front and rear crash structure to be legal if the car wasn't designed to be sold in the US from the very beginning, i.e. the EU Fiesta. The US Fiesta has a larger rear bumper which isn't that noticeable, but since the entire front end of the car is essentially the front bumper the entire front needed to be re-shaped to accommodate the beefed-up frame. And, because the strengthened frame was heavier, suspension changes were required to ensure the car handles as well as the European-spec car, which by all accounts it does.

Again please explain WHY these things were NOT redesigned in the Transit ?
Since the regs are the same with regard to both vehicles.

Perhaps like mrbirdman indicates it was a sop to the insurance industry ?

To recap:

Required changes that Ford HAD NO CHOICE but to make were:
-New bumpers, front and rear completely legit DOT change
-Loss of foglamps (due to lack of room inside the retrofit US bumper for the necessary wiring)I still don't believe this. The harness for the fogs is very narrow and many narrow depth lamps are made by Hella, and Valeo
-New headlights (to accommodate the amber reflectors)DOT change
-New wing mirrors (which nevertheless look identical to the EU mirrors anyway)DOT change...due to US not allowing aspherical split mirrors
-New lower dashboard (for some sort of crash regulation)is possibly legit due to required "knee bar"
-New steering wheel (also crash regs I imagine)agreed due to EU "face bag"
-Redesigned door panels (crash regs again)If only for the sake of added air bags that are not required by DOT but get better insurance rating)

Changes that Ford didn't NEED to make but did just to spite our dear golf strom here include:
-SYNC (which the majority of customers will probably consider an upgrade)
understand this because most US customers are taken with toys like this
-Fabric covers on the rear seatbacks instead of exposed metal unecessary
-Tweaked suspension to accommodate US-spec heavier front and rear crash structures and US-standard all-season tires (because otherwise, the handling wouldn't have been as good as the EU car)understood this change
-A six-speed dual-clutch auto that's far superior to the EU's four-speed torque converter maybe it is more durable. Because it is an OPTION folks don't mind having this available
-More sound deadening As long as there isn't too much of a weight / cost penality doesn't seem to be a problem

There were a few cost-cutting changes, like losing the projector headlamps,
I actually am glad that the base car gets a traditional style light because the cost of replacement isn't as high....I'm not sure why Ford couldn't have offered the projection lamps as an option

You don't care about SYNC and standard stability control (which is a safety feature for crying out loud) because it's not on the European car and therefore, by your reasoning, worthless. If the European car had SYNC and DSC and ours didn't you would be bitching about it, I'm sure.

I don't mind the sync offering because I don't have to get it as it is an option....I DO mind the ESC because there is NO way to disable it.

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iamz

· #18 · May 2, 2010

I'm guessing that the Transit Connect gets by with minimal changes because it's considered a commercial/cargo van and not a passenger car. I don't think the crash/safety standards are as stringent for commercial vehicles. I'm just guessing though.

golf strom

· #19 · May 2, 2010 (Edited)

iamz said:
I'm guessing that the Transit Connect gets by with minimal changes because it's considered a commercial/cargo van and not a passenger car. I don't think the crash/safety standards are as stringent for commercial vehicles. I'm just guessing though.

Oh I was under the impression that the Transit was considered a passenger vehicle because of its size and ability to be configured as a minivan.

mrbirdman330

· #20 · May 2, 2010

Ok I am GOING TO SAY THIS ONE LAST FRICKING TIME. Ford did not have to change the front and rear technically due to the NHTSA and Canadas FMVSS getting off their ass and adopting the 2.5 MPH regulations. FORD MADE THE CHANGES TO PLEASE THE FRICKING INSURANCE COMPANIES! Posted here they changed them The insurance companies have griped and moaned and B1TCHED about how small cars who get hit with a 2.5 mph bumper must have a new bumper put in place. Well I hate to tell you but if you smack any bumper at 5mph regardless if its a 5mph bumper its gonna need a replacement anyways expecially if you whack in the corner. So there was no point in changing the bumpers except to make the insurance companies HAPPY!

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