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AutoExpress reveals first look at Ford's new Fiesta
Though Ford is in desperate need of a small B-car in the U.S., its Euro arm has the Fiesta that's due for a major update soon. AutoExpress has produced a pair of images that show what the new Fiesta will look like based on "top-secret information" and the new design draws obvious influence from the new Mondeo and S-Max with its Iosis-inspired front end. The new Fiesta will be built on the new B2xx small-car platform that will also be used by the new Mazda2. AutoExpress also has the first images of a pre-production prototype wearing the body of a Mazda Verisa. The new Fiesta appears to be bigger in every dimension, and will include front, side and head airbags along with electronic brake-force distribution and traction control. It will also be the first Ford of Europe product to offer the the Sync technology co-developed with Microsoft. Three gas engines and two diesels will be available, and a 170-hp ST version is in the works, as well.
Ford has confirmed that a B-car for the U.S. is not in the cards until at least 2010, which is a shame because the new Fiesta would play in Peoria. The AutoExpress article mentions, however, that a B-car based on the B2xx platform called the Ecosport will be sold in the U.S. at some point, and that even Volvo is considering building a small car off the platform.
Click the read link to view more another AutoExpress rendering of the new Fiesta and the spy pics of the preproduction prototype.
[Source: AutoExpress]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John P. 6:07PM (1/25/2007)
*sigh* I'd buy this today. Mr. Mulally, please?
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ECA 7:41PM (1/25/2007)
me too, much better than yaris, fit, versa, and aveo. Just bring the euro lineup here and almost all of your product problems will be solved. Or if you dont have the prodution capacity for North America just badge them as mercurys and give mercury a reason for existing.
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fizzandpop 6:33PM (1/25/2007)
Fond memories of a mate's XR2. The word "throaty" comes to mind.
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ssgtakeo 9:07PM (1/25/2007)
Ford is high! What are they thinking not selling this here? It definitely looks good enough to take on the Fit, Yaris, Versa, or Aveo.
If the mechanical reliabilty and build quality is there, it's definitely a competitor.
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Kevin 6:47PM (1/25/2007)
I drove the current Fiesta 1.4 for a week in Tuscany and it was a great little car. Clean trim looks. Excellent shifter, tidy package, well laid out, and surprisingly roomy. If it were for sale in the USA I'd buy it tomorrow.
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naggs 6:29PM (1/25/2007)
"The B2xx platform will also be used in the US for the first time with a car called the Ecosport. And it has even been rumoured that Volvo - which is part of the Ford family - is considering an entry into the supermini market with the same chassis."
they are making a super mini specifically for the american market, word on the street is that its a winner. if its as good or better than this it should be a winner
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naggs 6:30PM (1/25/2007)
looks good
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American Idiot 6:40PM (1/25/2007)
John P. Just google pictures of Ford Fiesta, it looks just like a 3 door Focus we have here in USA only i little smaller. But i think would sell in USA, especialy with young crowd.
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franke 6:36PM (1/25/2007)
The next Fiesta ST ,,, yes plz!! I would buy one without blinking.
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whofan 8:41PM (1/25/2007)
This is the product Ford needs in the US. Cool looking cars with economy.
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snazzum 6:40PM (1/25/2007)
Maybe this will help Ford with its $10 billion loss.
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Yaroukh 6:44PM (1/25/2007)
#7: WHAT??? Do you have your glasses on???
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Nill 7:17PM (1/25/2007)
It's a shame we'll never see this mystery "EcoSport" since Ford will be bankrupt by 2010 at this rate...
Explain again why GM can ship over all the Opals and Holdens it needs as fast it can slap a Saturn or Pontiac badge on them to bolster their stale domestic lineup yet Ford finds it utterly impossible to import designs from their own foreign market branches?
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BCM 10:11PM (1/25/2007)
But GM isn't rebadging Opels and Holdens very fast; they've been announced but are at leat a year away. A 2008 intro in Europe with a 2010 intro inthe US would be within the normal expected timeframe. However, given the previous poor sales of European and European-inspired Fords in the US, I'm not surprised that Ford say we won't see this exact car, even if signs are developing that the US market is changing. Has Mazda announced for certain whether the 2 is coming to North America?
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JarryHames 7:55PM (1/25/2007)
If Ford decides to bring this EscoSport to the U.S. It will probably be in the form of a CUV/SUV. That's all they've been focusing on for the past 5 years! I don't think that they know how to make actual cars for the American market!
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Jeff 8:26PM (1/25/2007)
I think you might actually be right, #12. The EcoSport is a Brazilian designed car that is basically a version of the European Fusion, which is a tiny little tall crossover thing. If they do give us something like that, it better be in addition to a proper B-segment car and not instead of.
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TriShield 8:32PM (1/25/2007)
I'm surprised we haven't seen a glut of posts proclaiming this car should be wasted on Mercury for the US.
lol
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tikirob 8:35PM (1/25/2007)
Ford needs this, they need to energize there lineup. they have a minor start.
Rob
http://www.autoshortlist.com
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lavardera 9:51PM (1/25/2007)
Too little too late. Bought a Mini this month. I would have loved to consider a Fiesta ST. May06 bought a Mazda3. Looked at the Focus but no comparison. Would have loved to buy the euro Focus if it was here.
Ford - you need to bail faster.
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Barney 10:19PM (1/25/2007)
Small cars are short lived in the USA. Small cars of the past are now considerably bigger. Plans to sell a "Smart for four" is already planned for the US. In europe, where the car is designed and more likely to stay the same dimensions. Ford would have to regear the factory to accomodate a demand for "bigger is better". That would be a lot of money tied up to make a economy car.
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