[Talon]

I have seen up close and personal the new Fiesta this past week. It looks like a truly great car. My biggest issue, is that this new Ford is only going to get around 35 MPG, which is disappointing to hear, because the exact same models in Europe are getting over 40+ miles per gallon.
If the ones we are going to see here in the US are getting far less than that, then this is going to be bad news for me and the rest of us who truly want Ford to get with it, and have a car that will compete with the Hondas and Toyotas that are out there.
I know that there are some differences in engine design between Europe and the US, but that shouldn't hinder Ford from doing all that they can to boost the mediocre MPG results that we are seeing now from this new Fiesta line from Ford.

 

[Mark Kleis]

Where are you hearing about 35 MPG? Ford certainly has not released any specific numbers yet because the car has not yet been EPA tested.

As for the discrepency between the European and Us MPG, if there is any difference at all, it would be purely from 3 possible things: 1.) Realizing that the Imperial gallon in europe is larger, therefor the numbers are misleading. A Euro 30 MPG car is not the same as a US 30 MPG car. 2.) The European way to test MPG is not the same as here. Different tests, aka apples and oranges. 3.) Possible engine or transmission changes...

Here is the good news: any changes to the drive train will BOOSt MPG. The US will be getting a 6 speed, dual clutch, dry transmission that will BOOST the mileage to be BETTER than the European model. the 5 speed MIGHT also be tweaked to eek out a little better MPGs.

Ford is not doing ANYTHING to lower the mileage.

As for what to expect, I think the highway will be 37 at the absolute lowest, but like 38-40+ for EPA highway. I think city might even break the 30 mark...

It's going to be an incredibly efficient car...you have no need to worry.

 

[focusse]

Here's an excellent article regarding the new Ford Powershift 6 speed automatic transmission. This new transmission sounds really awesome! This will set the Fiesta apart from the competition even more. The article starts with explanation by the Jalopnik writer and then leads to an official press release from Ford Motor Company dated January 21, 2009. Enjoy!


Jalopnik - Ford PowerShift Dual-Clutch Six-Speed Automatic Transmission: A Tranny For The Little Ones - Ford PowerShift Six-Speed

 

[focusse]

Where are you hearing about 35 MPG? Ford certainly has not released any specific numbers yet because the car has not yet been EPA tested.

As for the discrepency between the European and Us MPG, if there is any difference at all, it would be purely from 3 possible things: 1.) Realizing that the Imperial gallon in europe is larger, therefor the numbers are misleading. A Euro 30 MPG car is not the same as a US 30 MPG car. 2.) The European way to test MPG is not the same as here. Different tests, aka apples and oranges. 3.) Possible engine or transmission changes...

Here is the good news: any changes to the drive train will BOOSt MPG. The US will be getting a 6 speed, dual clutch, dry transmission that will BOOST the mileage to be BETTER than the European model. the 5 speed MIGHT also be tweaked to eek out a little better MPGs.

Ford is not doing ANYTHING to lower the mileage.

As for what to expect, I think the highway will be 37 at the absolute lowest, but like 38-40+ for EPA highway. I think city might even break the 30 mark...

It's going to be an incredibly efficient car...you have no need to worry.

Mark...do you know when you will be publishing your interview with Sam De La Garza? I keep checking Leftlane news.com features everyday for any updates.

Thanks!

 

[Talon]

Fiesta MPG numbers

Where are you hearing about 35 MPG? Ford certainly has not released any specific numbers yet because the car has not yet been EPA tested.

As for the discrepency between the European and Us MPG, if there is any difference at all, it would be purely from 3 possible things: 1.) Realizing that the Imperial gallon in europe is larger, therefor the numbers are misleading. A Euro 30 MPG car is not the same as a US 30 MPG car. 2.) The European way to test MPG is not the same as here. Different tests, aka apples and oranges. 3.) Possible engine or transmission changes...

Here is the good news: any changes to the drive train will BOOSt MPG. The US will be getting a 6 speed, dual clutch, dry transmission that will BOOST the mileage to be BETTER than the European model. the 5 speed MIGHT also be tweaked to eek out a little better MPGs.

Ford is not doing ANYTHING to lower the mileage.

As for what to expect, I think the highway will be 37 at the absolute lowest, but like 38-40+ for EPA highway. I think city might even break the 30 mark...

It's going to be an incredibly efficient car...you have no need to worry.

________________________________________________________________

Thanks for your response on this. The mileage numbers that I saw attributed to the new Fiesta was from Road & Track that was sent to me via email. Additionally, from what I was told be the Ford people at the Fiesta Expo that I went to, they all told me that the U.S version of the Fiesta will NOT have the 6 speed auto in it, and that the MPG figures will be around 35 miles per gallon, which is similar to the Focus and Fusion cars already out.
As much as I really like this car, my "focus" (pardon the pun) is on MPG primarily. I have a currently have a Honda that gets around 40 highway MPG right now, and want to get the new Ford with even higher ratings than that.
That is my wish, and I hope that it comes true.

I really love the new design of this, and really want to take a test drive of it sometime late next year when it arrives at Ford. This is the car I have wanted to see compete with the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris for some time now, and really want to see what it can do on the open road.
I really hope that you are right about this, and that the Fiesta comes with a 6 speed auto transmission that gets 40+ mpg.

If you are right about this, then count me in as one happy camper!

 

[focusse]

________________________________________________________________

Thanks for your response on this. The mileage numbers that I saw attributed to the new Fiesta was from Road & Track that was sent to me via email. Additionally, from what I was told be the Ford people at the Fiesta Expo that I went to, they all told me that the U.S version of the Fiesta will NOT have the 6 speed auto in it, and that the MPG figures will be around 35 miles per gallon, which is similar to the Focus and Fusion cars already out.
As much as I really like this car, my "focus" (pardon the pun) is on MPG primarily. I have a currently have a Honda that gets around 40 highway MPG right now, and want to get the new Ford with even higher ratings than that.
That is my wish, and I hope that it comes true.

I really love the new design of this, and really want to take a test drive of it sometime late next year when it arrives at Ford. This is the car I have wanted to see compete with the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris for some time now, and really want to see what it can do on the open road.
I really hope that you are right about this, and that the Fiesta comes with a 6 speed auto transmission that gets 40+ mpg.

If you are right about this, then count me in as one happy camper!

Those "Ford" reps are a bit on the misinformed side. They don't actually work for Ford Motor Company. They work for an event marketing company that Ford hired to handle these ride and drive events around the country. In fact, I have one of their business cards sitting right next to me as I type this. I've been to 2 of the Fiesta ride and drive events and the people their are very polite and accomodating but are a bit ignorant as to what Ford is really doing. It's sort of like talking to a car salesperson. I normally know more than they do. They are really not the ones who you should be asking many questions of. Keep in mind there's a lot of info about the North American Fiesta that is unknown to anyone except by the managers employed by Ford Motor Company. We can surmise by the official Ford press release dated January 21, 2009 that the NA Fiesta will debut with the Powershift 6 speed dual dry clutch automatic transmission. It goes on to say that by 2013 all of Ford's U.S. lineup will come with this type of transmission.

 

[Talon]

Those "Ford" reps are a bit on the misinformed side. They don't actually work for Ford Motor Company. They work for an event marketing company that Ford hired to handle these ride and drive events around the country. In fact, I have one of their business cards sitting right next to me as I type this. I've been to 2 of the Fiesta ride and drive events and the people their are very polite and accomodating but are a bit ignorant as to what Ford is really doing. It's sort of like talking to a car salesperson. I normally know more than they do. They are really not the ones who you should be asking many questions of. Keep in mind there's a lot of info about the North American Fiesta that is unknown to anyone except by the managers employed by Ford Motor Company. We can surmise by the official Ford press release dated January 21, 2009 that the NA Fiesta will debut with the Powershift 6 speed dual dry clutch automatic transmission. It goes on to say that by 2013 all of Ford's U.S. lineup will come with this type of transmission.

_________________________________________________________________
Focusse,
Thanks for the info about this. I think that you are right about the people that I talked to during this Ford event. Now that you mention it, those people did not seem too knowledgeable at all about the Fiesta, and I highly doubt that they even worked for Ford at all. When I talked with them at the event, they said nothing about even working for Ford, and now when I think about those people, I agree with you- they seemed more like "hired salespeople" for that event, and not actual reps from Ford.
They told me things about the new Fiesta that are not accurate, because I am now hearing different things about the car, i.e- the transmission, MPG figures, availability, etc, that are coming from better sources. These people were probably nothing more than simple sales and marketing people hired for that event, and nothing more.
I will await for official word from Ford as to the specifics I need to make an informed decision about the new Fiesta.
This new 6 speed transmission sounds exciting to me. From what I am now hearing about it, it sounds like it will improve overall fuel economy of the Fiesta. If it can boost the MPG of the Fiesta into the 40+ MPG range, then I will eagerly await the new Fiesta for a test drive in the fall of 2010.
If they can keep the price to where it is affordable ($16,000), then I will be a Ford customer for sure.

 

[GhiaFan]

@Talon, Ford will be introducing many fuel saving technology that will impress I am sure such as 4 cylinder EcoBoost (direct injection, turbo gas engines), new Ford Auto-Start-Stop system, intelligent alternator and six-speed Ford PowerShift double-clutch automated manual gearbox with ratios tailored to deliver maximum fuel efficiency, just to name a few future developments that will show Ford will be a leader in fuel efficient vehicles.

It is an exciting time for Ford fans, and I believe Ford will be on many consumers shopping lists that have never considered the brand.

 

[focusse]

@Talon, Ford will be introducing many fuel saving technology that will impress I am sure such as 4 cylinder EcoBoost (direct injection, turbo gas engines), new Ford Auto-Start-Stop system, intelligent alternator and six-speed Ford PowerShift double-clutch automated manual gearbox with ratios tailored to deliver maximum fuel efficiency, just to name a few future developments that will show Ford will be a leader in fuel efficient vehicles.

It is an exciting time for Ford fans, and I believe Ford will be on many consumers shopping lists that have never considered the brand.

Could someone please explain what is the Ford Auto-Start-Stop system? Is it reliable?

Thanks!

 

[GhiaFan]

In stop-start driving conditions, such as heavy traffic or at traffic lights, the engine switches off whenever the car is brought to a halt. An integrated system of sensors enables the engine instantly to start again when the driver instinctively performs one first of a number of actions that signal the intent to drive off.

The process is almost imperceptible, and occurs when the brake pedal is released or when the accelerator or clutch pedal is operated. The intelligent control strategy also ensures that the system does not operate during parking manoeuvres.

When reading articles about these new systems and the percentage of saved fuel, just remember when all features percentages are added up the savings will be significant. EG: The auto start/stop feature should give a 5% fuel savings + add on the savings from the other fuel saving features.

I mention this because many readers have a reaction that the one features small fuel savings percentage is not valid, but they forget to add up the other systems that will also add small fuel saving percentages.

 

[Mark Kleis]

Mark...do you know when you will be publishing your interview with Sam De La Garza? I keep checking Leftlane news.com features everyday for any updates.

Thanks!

I will have it complete today, and then send it to my editor either today or tomorrow. My guess is sometime Monday or Tuesday. I'll post about it here!