[Chibana]

Spy Shots: 2011 Ford Fiesta EcoBoost — Autoblog)

Maybe I'll have to change my plans to buy a new Focus, after all.

 

[iamz]

Edmunds got this wrong also. It's a Euro Fiesta from nose to tail. I'm sure a lot of people would be happy if when the eco-boost gets here, it looks like that.

 

[Chibana]

Yes, they state that in the AutoBlog post. It's just a test mule--there's no reason to assume it would be in U.S. form at this early stage. I fully expect we'll see a boosted Fiesta at some point here in the U.S.

 

[blurbyu]

I'm actually more inclined to think that this is from some aftermarket company.
This looks a little too pieced together to be a Ford test mule.

If it were a true Ford mule, it would have some form of Ford wheels, and I don't think the intercooler wouldn't be nearly so noticeable.
I don't think Ford would do a dual exhaust on an EcoBoost Fiesta either...

I could be wrong, but I'm thinking this is one of many Fiestas handed out to aftermarket companies (like FSWerks)...
In fact... there is a pic of a 5-Door Fiesta on a lift with it's intercooler clearly visible at FSWerks on their Facebook Fan Page.
Obviously not the same car, but same idea.

 

[Mattdoommaster]

Wait a second.

That's a 3-door performance Fiesta, but it has Michigan plates on it.

This says good things to me.

 

[FiestaFan]

I'm actually more inclined to think that this is from some aftermarket company.
This looks a little too pieced together to be a Ford test mule.

I tend to think so as well, although I'd be thrilled if it were really a Fiesta ST prototype. But, if it was, I'd think there'd be some camo covering the changes (and in this case the only change is a bodykit, not the usual new front clip that performance models warrant)

 

[eRic]

nice! "M" plate on it. the photo was taken near Ford's research & engineering center. "The Henry Ford" sign in the background? Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.

 

[Chibana]

Yeah, the AutoBlog post mentions it might be an aftermarket thing, but I'm hoping that, being in Dearborn (that building looks an awful lot like Greenfield Village), it's a real Ford test mule.

 

[BRGT350]

I am guessing a Ford Racing prototype, and not related to a Ford EcoBoost. I don't see any production based eco-boost Fiesta using a large front mount intercooler. It is either a SEMA concept, Ford Racing prototype, or aftermarket company like Roush developing a car. Any of those would be running on a M plate and using the FoE front bumper.

Looking closely at it, I notice it is running Ford centercaps on the wheels (easy to do since most centercaps are the same size), the car uses the same Continental tires that the Ford Racing Tuner car used, and the rear decklid is from the Montoune package. The front lower grille has been hacked open to allow more air flow.

Ford Racing says on their website they are building a number of tuner cars to show off what can be done with a Fiesta, and I am guessing this car is based on testing some of those products. If it was a Fiesta ST or RS, it would have way more camo on it!

 

[mrbirdman330]

Aftermarket car, nothing else.

 

[Chan]

That's one of them tuner cars, if were OEM, it would've been disguised someway.

 

[BRGT350]

rear decklid look like the one in the Autoblog post? There is some relationship between Montune and Roush, so I am going to guess the photographed car is a new Roush or Ford Racing product. The three-door is surely not coming here, but I would guess the mechanics under the bonnet will be available soon.

 

[mrbirdman330]

I still prefer the H&R Tuner.

 

[Chibana]

Yeah, I had forgotten that the EcoBoost wouldn't have an intercooler down there. I was thinking of the test mules for the MazdaSpeed3 that were cobbled together turbo kits done with Tri-Point Engineering, which was, supposedly, the beginnings of the aftermarket kit Tri-Point now sells. However, that wouldn't be the case with a test mule of an EcoBoost Fiesta.

 

[rmwill]

Ford M plate car. Looks kinda like the SVT Raptor test mules. No reason to disguise it, its all production parts and style. My guess? NA version of the Fiesta RS.

 

[BRGT350]

The exterior is pure EU sport model, just with some of the lower air intake cut open for better air flow or to access the intercooler piping. I think it was Car magazine out of Europe that said this was a US version with a US bumper. Ahh, no, that is not the bumper we get. Since it was released that the new WRC Fiesta is called the RS, chances of getting a Fiesta RS road car just shot way up. I can't wait for it, and my wife capped my budget since we are planning on upgrading to a house with a 3 stall garage in a few years. Waiting 2 more years and spending way more cash just are not options for me right now, so the RS is out. Not a big deal, I love the normally aspirated Fiesta and I have my torque monster Mustang for when I want to go silly fast on the track.