When Ford of Europe originally designed the Fiesta for the rest-of-the-world market, there was no intent to sell the little bugger in the United States. There was no great demand for compact fuel efficient B-segment hatchbacks. Cue the Carpocalypse and that decision was slowly quickly reversed. Since the car would need to be Federalized for the US market, it went through some significant rework. The US-spec Fiesta only shares about 60% of its parts with the Euro model, but looking at it from the surface you'd be hard pressed to tell.

The most glaring exterior difference between the two hatchback models is in the nose. The US Fiesta has a considerably beefier front crash bar hiding under that bumper cover so the nose is ever so slightly longer to make room. It also gets in the way of the space formerly reserved for fog lamps, so instead they've been replaced by "driving lights" which are rather slick looking LED lightpipes borrowed from the Verve concept car. Aside from a few tweaks here and there, like integration of the backup lights into the tail lamps and light pattern redesign, and revised grille, that's the story on styling for the hatchback.

Then there's the sedan. We were nervous about the sedan to be honest. There was tremendous potential for monstrous ugliness, but Ford managed to tack on a trunk pretty well. From the rump the Fiesta sedan reminds us of the European Mondeo, but there's a lot of awkwardness in the sheetmetal above the rear wheels. The Sedan is designed as the more grown-up of the two versions and that intent can be seen in the detailing.
As to the motivational equipment for the Fiesta, the car comes with a 1.6-liter double overhead cam inline-four fitted with electronic power assist steering and turning out 119 HP and 109 lb-ft of torque. Mated to the one engine is your choice of either a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. Thanks to the brand spankin' new "Powershift" automatic transmission, it doesn't even have an impact on fuel economy. The Ford/Getrag effort is essentially two manual transmissions mashed together and actuated with a pair of servos. It operates with a pair of dry clutches swapping between gears dedicated to each. While the Fiesta won't be outfitted with any kind of manual control on the automatic, the transmission is capable of it and with a maximum torque capacity of 184 lb-ft in its current guise, we're thinking it'll be used elsewhere with more sporting intentions (Fiesta ST, Ford, come on, you know you want to). Compare to the four speed auto it replaces and it's responsible for a 10% improvement in fuel economy alone. Fiesta fuel economy is set to be pretty impressive at 30 MPG city and 40 MPG highway.

The front suspension is a Macphereson stut and the rear uses a twist beam axle, and since the car is fitted with all-season tires rather than the de-rigeur seasonal summer tires in Europe, the car's been retuned to retain its zippy nature.

Inside, the Fiesta has undergone revisions over its European buddy, some good, some bad. In order to address the unbelted occupant restraint requiremets for the US, the dash and center console were revised to provide more space behind for impact absorbsion, protecting morons without seat belts on. Safety requirements dictated a lot of the shape changes but also led to a plethora of standard airbags. The Fiesta comes with dual front, thorax and hip, side curtain and knee bolster airbags, more or less a cloud of airbags in a crash and by far the most in this class. The shapes and controls, gauges, and screens are virtually identical to the Euro model, but some paint has been removed and the seats wear different, less pleasant looking fabric. The US model has the option for some really nice leather seats with contrasting piping we're wondering if they swiped from the Lincoln parts bin. Amusingly, a third cup holder has been added in between the two already in the center console and it's sized perfectly to fit a Red Bull style can. We tried it, it works.

In all, the US-spec Fiesta looks like it retains pretty much everything making it such a lovable car in Europe. Considering the amount of rework that had to go into the car, that's no small feat. Now we just need to see how it drives.

Compared to the subtle European version we tested, this Fiesta is definitely more styled (though not stylish) and includes the sedan version we've been expecting. The chrome on the hatch doesn't bother us, but the strange grille almost looks fake... but given the sheer abundance of pics, we have a feeling it's real.

[Autoblog en Espanol via Carscoop]

If you'd like to spend a few hours on Friday helping Fiesta Movement winner (and recent clutch addict) Jill Hanner out on one of her monthly missions, drop her an e-mail at xgobobeanx[Removethis]@gmail.com with the subject line: "Want To Drive With Jill Hanner." She'll pick the Jalopnik reader least likely to be crazy and most likely to want to help out Joan River's charity.

Okay, think about high horsepower per liter road cars. The Mitsubishi EVO VIII FQ400 with 200 HP/liter comes to mind, the Honda S2000 with 120 HP/liter isn't bad, but these babies make an astonishing 400 HP/liter. That's mind bending. That's sadistic. That's awesome. Add to it the cars have been outfitted with all-wheel-drive and a custom suspension and you've got some serious hardware here. The cars will be hitting the hill July 19th with drivers Andreas Eriksson and Marcus Grönholm at the wheel, taking aim at beating the team record of 10 minutes up the 12.4 mile course. We're thinking they've got a pretty good chance if they just floor the gas and let the Earth rotate underneath the cars.

[WCF]

This kinda of makes us wonder just how good Ford's GPS tracking system is, and what kind of criminals it would have taken to steal a car with keyless start and then figure out a way to disable the GPS tracking. Maybe they'd have wrapped a wet towel around its antenna to mute the signal, Total Recall-style. Anyway, after learning of Ford's not-so-gee-whiz tracking capabilities, Jake naturally turned to the next suspect: the near-criminal towing agencies in New York.

It's fairly common for vehicles to be entered into impound with improper plate numbers and effectively lost. The car didn't turn up as impounded but Jake and a lady-friend went down to the local yard and took a photo over the wall, taking a picture which offers irrefutable evidence they do indeed have Jake's Fiesta. Purple with pink dots on one of 100 cars in the US which happens to be in New York City offers pretty strong odds it's the right car.

Despite the evidence the folks running things refuse to admit they have the car. Welcome to impound hell, Mr. Bronstein. [ZoomDoggle]

FoMoCo China was nice enough to sponsor our visit to the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show after we realized the firm communist grip the event organizers had on non J-2 VISA holders, so we thought we'd give them a little love too. Not that we have to, but because they genuinely had a great display that was akin to a Cirque Du Soleil show in Vegas. All-in-all, it was a great show and we thank Ford for all the help they provided in getting us access that we wouldn't have received otherwise. Take a peek below at the action.


Power Rangers, activate your crystals, 3..2..1.. power up!!
[photo credit: TAI, Ford]

Earlier today we picked up this Europe-spec (or international-spec, depending on who from Ford you speak with) 2009 Ford Fiesta and spent a few hours tooling around New York. It's one of 100 being given away for 6-month loans as part of Ford's Fiesta Movement. All 100 were assembled in Europe and as such, it tells the temperature in Celsius and has some kind of sub-FM band along with normal 'merican FM. American sales of the Mexican-made Fiesta are scheduled to start early next year as a 2011 model and will be identically spec'ed to this one, complete with the 1.6-liter, 118 HP engine and European-tuned suspension. We'll even get the five-speed manual transmission.

That engine/transmission combination is good for 39.8 MPG (US) in the European cycle (expect a combined MPG figure in the mid 30s when it gets run through the EPA) and will hit 60 MPH from rest in 9.9 seconds, continuing on to a top speed of 120 MPH.

When Ray pulled up in the "Hot Magenta" Fiesta outside my Brooklyn apartment this morning it was almost shocking how much the Fiesta stood out on the street and not just because of the unfortunately-named red paint. European Fords have eschewed the recent Colonial trend of retro futurism in favor of something that's contemporarily futuristic. In a sea of SUVs and mid-size sedans, the Fiesta's incredibly small, and the crisp exterior makes it look like something from another planet or at least Europe.

Climb into the surprisingly large interior and it doesn't feel like our idea of what a small car should be either. It feels spacious and even, dare I say it, luxurious, an effect created by the large glass house, good packaging and high-quality materials. Ours was clearly an optioned-up version with leather and a nice stereo, but even the base model will benefit from the solid, attractive dash, comfortable seats and room for four adults (five in a pinch). US Fiestas will also get Ford's industry-leading SYNC connectivity system.

Driving up the BQE to our favorite shooting location in Greenpoint, the small exterior size, responsive chassis and perky engine make moving through traffic easy. Small cars like this that don't compromise the driving experience in the name of cutting cost are incredibly empowering in traffic. Vision is good and you can work the gearbox to cut through small gaps in the split second that they open. The trucks, cabs and luxury cars just can't keep up. The Fiesta also rides well across the BQE's constant construction and does a pretty decent job of isolating wind and road noise.

While the Fiesta's official price hasn't yet been revealed, our sources tell us to expect a price point starting around $12,000 and moving into the Focus-overlapping $16,000 range. We'd guess the Fiesta we tested would sit near the top, but we're still shocked by how cheap it is; this design, this space, this luxury, this driving experience feels more expensive than $16,000.

It's hard to know which cars to compare the Fiesta directly to. The Versa, Yaris and xA are priced similarly, but fall into the traditional American small car trap of being pieces of crap. The Honda Fit is a comparable drive and has ridiculous amounts of space inside, but it's more expensive and not as luxurious. The lower end of Ford's US-spec Focus overlaps the upper end of the Fiesta's price range, but the Fiesta feels more expensive, not less.

For years nearly every auto journalist in this country has been calling for Ford to replace its partially lackluster US range with its world-beating European cars and now, first with this Fiesta, then with the next-generation Focus and Mondeo/Fusion, all new Fords will be built on global platforms. There, despite facing stiff competition, nearly every one of Ford's vehicles is a clear leader in its class. That's because the European arm sets out to build great cars. American Ford has finally acknowledged that it too can build great cars, by bringing design and engineering over from Europe. Sure, that's a somewhat convoluted approach, but if, like with this Fiesta, they can sell genuinely exciting vehicles at a more-than-competitive price point, we don't care how they do it, we just want them. Now.

Will he pick the lipstick red color? What about the passion fruit pink or bright alien green? What about white, like Didorosi's favorite pair of Manolos? If we're going by Didorosi's favorite things, maybe the Cinnamon-colored one will bring up happy thoughts of sipping apple cinnamon lattes and window shopping for new bags. Of these fantastically feminine colors, which one should he chose?

Press Release: FIESTA MOVEMENT REACHES U.S. SHORES; FORD'S NEW SMALL CAR DEFIES DOWNTURN IN EUROPE AND ASIA

DEARBORN, Mich., March 26, 2009 – The arrival today on U.S. shores of 100 new Ford Fiestas marks an important step in the rollout of the first of Ford Motor Company's new generation of global small cars.

The European-built Fiestas arrived today at seaports in Baltimore and Oxnard, Calif., and will be loaned for six months to 100 young trendsetters chosen from more than 3,300 applicants as part of the "Fiesta Movement." Those picked to drive the European Fiesta will share their experiences online through social media sites such as Facebook, Flickr and YouTube to build buzz and anticipation for the vehicle's North American launch early next year.

The Fiesta already is a hit in Europe and Asia, where it went on sale last year and earlier this year, respectively. The new Fiesta already is the second-best selling vehicle of any make across Ford's 19 major European markets, and is headed for its best month yet in Europe in March. Early response from buyers in China and other Asia-Pacific markets already is outstripping company expectations.

"In the midst of the toughest economy many of us have ever seen, the Fiesta is becoming a legitimate global success story," said Jim Farley, Ford Group Vice President of Marketing and Communications. "The Fiesta Movement is all about introducing a new kind of small car to a new generation of buyers."

The 100 five-door Fiestas coming to the U.S. were built at Ford's Cologne Assembly Plant in Europe. For many U.S. customers, it will be their first chance to see and read about the small car that is one of three finalists for the World Car of the Year award that will be announced next month at the New York International Auto Show.

"We're really excited to be able to get our U.S. customers behind the wheel and experience this car," said Sam De La Garza, small car marketing manager. "It's all part of a plan to build excitement about the new Fiesta with the next generation of Ford customers."

Designed and developed as Ford's first global car, the Fiesta takes the nameplate's three-decade heritage to a new level with its eye-catching kinetic design, widely acclaimed driving dynamics and unexpected refinement.

Before coming to the U.S., special permission was granted by the EPA and the European-spec vehicles were modified for American drivers.

The language in the vehicles' instrument panel message center was changed from German to English and the speedometers were changed from kilometers to miles per hour. The voice piping from the Bluetooth-enabled vehicle, however, retains its British accent. All the Fiesta Movement vehicles feature keyless entry with push-button start, EasyFuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler System, 16" or 17" wheels, and many other features typically found on larger or premium vehicles.

Agents on a mission
Beginning in late spring, the chosen participants, or "Fiesta Movement" agents, will be asked to complete monthly missions in their vehicles, capture their experiences digitally and share them with Ford and others through social networks.

Ford is aiming the Fiesta Movement at Millennials, the next-generation consumer group born between 1979 and 1985 that will total 70 million new drivers in 2010 – the largest class of any generation. Making up 28 percent of the driving age population, the potential size of the market serves as an opportunity for Ford to connect with a group that hasn't yet established brand loyalty and is very connected to the use of technology and social networking.

For Millennials, social media is a part of everyday life. Statistics show that for those born after 1980, 62 percent of the content they consume comes from someone they know personally. The missions will be designed based on monthly themes that will take them to new places, to meet new people and to experience new things in their Fiesta.

Collecting data about how the car performs in the U.S. market is an integral part to the vehicle's launch. With this program, Ford aims to gather valuable customer input on how they perceive the vehicle prior to the next year's North American launch. It's the first opportunity Ford has ever had to get a wealth of feedback so early on prior to launch – unique in content and unfiltered from a multitude of sources.

The movement already is catching on, with more than 3,300 agent applications to the www.fiestamovement.com website and 580,000 views of applicant videos on YouTube.

About Fiesta
In Europe, the Fiesta name has long been synonymous with outstanding performance, design and value. The new Ford Fiesta takes that three-decade heritage to a new level with eye-catching styling and exemplary driving dynamics for U.S. consumers.

The vehicle is also winning awards, including being named Car of the Year 2009 by the authoritative What Car? magazine in the U.K. and was awarded a prestigious "red dot" award for international product design.

In 2010, the Fiesta will be produced at plants in Germany, Spain, Mexico, Thailand and China for sale in markets around the world. The Fiesta for the North American market will be built at Ford's assembly plant in Cuautitlan, Mexico.

The little sedan was spotted way north in upper Michigan undergoing cold weather testing with a very heavy layer of camouflage as a topcoat. Despite the camo, the distinctly Fiesta shape and details are unmistakable, that quarter window ahead of the doors and the LED tail lights give it away. What differs from the Euro-spec Fiesta we've seen before is a much more open grille with a lower opening that looks more like the US Focus than the Euro one. Aside from that, things look pretty similar. A peek inside reveals an interior which thankfully looks the same as the Euro model, there's even a five speed manual in this car. If things pan out as they seem to be, it's going to be weird to have a compact car from a US automaker which doesn't feel like a bottom-shelf, CAFE-mandated afterthought. (Hat tip to Brian on the photos!)

We're really straining here not make any jokes about the similarities between the term "Fiesta Movement" and a movement of a different sort, but it's really hard for us not to pinch one off. Here's the full release below. Use it as reading material or whatever.

FORD TARGETS 100 SOCIALLY-NETWORKED MILLENNIALS FOR FIRST DRIVE OF FORD'S NEW SMALL CAR, FIESTA

* "Fiesta Movement" is designed to spread the word online and generate excitement among Millennials about Ford's new global small car leading up to the 2010 North American launch
* The first of the 100 Fiestas are coming off the line today at Ford of Europe's Cologne assembly plant in Germany
* Millennials, born between 1979 and 1995, are expected to be the largest cohort group of drivers by 2010 – over 28% – representing tremendous opportunity to meet their vehicle needs
* Over 1,500 applications have been received in the quest to be one of 100 individuals chosen to drive a new Fiesta and tell others about their experience through social media sites

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 20, 2009 – Ford Motor Company is creating a ‘movement' and it has its own official car.

As part of what Ford is calling the "Fiesta Movement," 100 specially selected people will be given new Ford Fiestas before the vehicle launches in North America in 2010. The cars for the movement were built this week in Germany and are now on their way to the United States.

"It's all part of a plan to build excitement and spread the word about the arrival of the new Ford Fiesta to the next generation of customers," said Sam De La Garza, Ford's small car marketing manager. "These 100 socially-vibrant Fiesta Movement ‘Agents' will then relate their driving experiences through social media sites such as Facebook, FlickR and YouTube."

Ford is aiming the Fiesta Movement at Millennials, the next-generation consumer group that will total 70 million new drivers in 2010 – the largest class of any generation. Making up 28 percent of the driving age population, the potential size of the market serves as an opportunity for Ford to connect with a group that hasn't yet established brand loyalty and is very connected to the use of technology and social networking.

"The Millennials are an emerging market force, with 11,000 reaching driving age every day," De La Garza said. "It's the most important demographic trend since the Baby Boomers, and it represents one of the greatest opportunities for Ford."

"Agents" Spread the Word About Fiesta
Beginning in late spring, the chosen "agents" will be asked to complete "missions" in their Fiesta on a monthly basis and capture their experiences digitally and share them with Ford and others through their social networks. For Millennials, social media is just a part of life. In fact, statistics show that for those born after 1980, 62 percent of the content they consume comes from someone they know personally. The missions will take them to new places, to meet new people and to experience new things in their Fiesta.

Social networks are becoming an increasingly important way to talk to consumers, especially for the Millennial generation. According to statistics from a Universal McCann Comparative Study on social media trends, 45 percent of online users have started a blog, 57 percent have joined a social network and 55 percent have uploaded photos – these are all tasks that agents will be asked to complete to create a social media conversation.

"Socially vibrant campaigns are so important because of their power in delivering authentic and genuine messages across a broad spectrum of media, which only will help us deliver a more positive consumer experience when the car launches in the U.S. next year," said De La Garza.

Most importantly, these consumers also will give Ford valuable feedback on the features and performance of the Fiesta prior to the launch in 2010. It's the first opportunity that Ford has ever had to get a wealth of feedback so early on prior to launch – it also being unique in content as it will be unfiltered from a multitude of sources.

The movement already is catching on, with more than 1,500 "agent" applications to the www.fiestamovement.com website.

The application also asks applicants to submit a two to five minute video explaining why they want the opportunity to become part of the Fiesta Movement. Applications will be accepted through March 13, 2009.

About Fiesta
The initiative to introduce the new Fiesta to consumers in North America is kicking off today with the first of the 100 "Movement" vehicles coming off the assembly line at Ford of Europe's Cologne plant in Germany.

In Europe, the Fiesta name has long been synonymous with outstanding performance, design and value. The new Fiesta takes that three-decade heritage to a new level with eye-catching styling and exemplary driving dynamics.

Since it was introduced last August, sales of the new Fiesta have totaled more than 89,000 units across the main European markets. That success continued into 2009, with January sales of more than 28,000 vehicles. The model is continuing to win awards, as well as orders. In Britain it recently was named Car of the Year 2009 by the authoritative What Car? magazine.

The Fiestas engaged in the Movement campaign are European-specification vehicles, updated for use in the U.S. The language in the message center was changed from German to English and the speedometer was changed from kilometers to miles per hour, but the voice for the Bluetooth functionality has a British accent!

In 2010, the Fiesta will be produced at plants in Germany, Spain, Mexico, Thailand and China for sale in markets around the world. The Fiesta for the North American market will be built at the Cuautitlán plant in Mexico.

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Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 213,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's wholly owned brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.