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 It also gets in the way of the space formerly reserved for fog lamps, so instead they've been replaced by "driving lights" which are rather slick looking LED lightpipes borrowed from the Verve concept car.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]

The little beastie will be showing off at Intercontinental Rally Challenge and the S2000 World Cup races starting in 2010 and based on M-Sport's performance in the past, should run very well. The car runs a built 2.0 liter Duratec with 280 HP and 206 lb-ft of torque, driving a permanent all-wheel-drive system through a sequential six speed transmission. Brembo brakes and a "sports" suspension along, a roll cage, Sparcos and a fire supression system finish things off. We'll take one in Squeeze green with a road plate, thank you.

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.

In case you were wondering, yes, that is Jake in the hipster uber-alles American flag white frame faux Ray Ban Wayfarers. There aren't any more details at this moment on the theft, just what we've been able to glean from his Fiesta Movement Twitter feed (which you can follow here). You had to imagine something like this was bound to happen, it's surprising how much attention the little cars get when you're out an about. We have to imagine the only thing on both Jake's and his Ford contacts mind right now is, appropriately, "Oh shit." Stay tuned for developments, or, you know, that Twitter thing works. (Hat tip to Phil!)

UPDATE: Minutes after Automobile magazine called Ford PR, their social media guru Scott Monty decides to "proactively" drop a tweet on it letting everyone know:
Well, actually, no, it didn't "have" to happen. But the hipster douchebag who got that fine piece of European hot hatch action really should have been parking it in a garage. But whatever. Scott's also now tweeting it's now "(GPS tracked) is on I-95 near Port Chester, CT." Oh good job Scott, why don't you try to get a bunch of people killed trying to intercept it. That information's best used by the Police not a bunch of vigilante twats. Else the next tweet from SMontykins will be "You knew it had to happen. First @FordFiesta from #fiestamovement causes someone to be killed." (—Ed.)

UPDATE #2: We've spared no cost and put together the following video depiction of what's currently just happened to the Ford Fiesta:

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]

I'm counting down the last couple of hours before I head to Detroit Metro Airport for my flight to Chicago where my Squeeze Green (not pink) Fiesta waits. All of you made this happen by watching my hypnotic swaying and I thank you. Expect daily hoonage, awkward road trip moments and everything in between in stunning high definition from now 'til November.

How can you keep track of all this insanity? I'm glad you asked: You can follow me on Twitter, add me as a friend on Facebook and track me on the official Fiesta Movement page.

Now, off to the store to pick up a Buddy Christ statuette and a two pound bag of beef jerky; I've got a plane to catch.

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.

Ford tells me in choosing entries, they're looking for an ability to draw both comments and YouTube views on the entry. So, here's your chance to shine as Jalopnik commenters. Go crazy! Let's get some serious comment traffic going here and some serious view traffic going over on YouTube to show FoMoCo what JalopMoCo is made of!

Be sure to hit the HD button if you're rocking a broadband connection — now you'll get me swaying in full digital glory.