Click above for gallery of high-res Ford Fiesta spy shots
The question of whether or not Ford will offer the upcoming Fiesta in the U.S. as a three- or five-door hatchback is still unanswered, but we do know that a four-door sedan version is on the way. And here it is, recently snapped by spy photographers in Dearborn, MI. Though this prototype is wearing heavy cladding, its clear that the design will stick closely to what was previewed with the Verve sedan concept. Also note the sharp forward rake of the beltline, which gives the car a very high rear trunk lid and might lead to a sense of claustrophobia for rear seat passengers who can barely see out. Nevertheless, we're ready for Ford to reenter the small car market with a bang when the production Fiesta sedan arrives sometime later next year.
[Source: KGP Photography]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Aprime @ Apr 24th 2008 5:04PM
At least we're getting it in one form.
But I still think (and I think you can all agree with me) that not bring a 5-door would be a mistake (and sales of other subcompacts prove it - I mean people still buy more Aveo 5-doors even though the sedan is overall more refined).
jgp @ Apr 24th 2008 5:08PM
WTF is up with the proportions?
Mazda2 > Ford Fiesta
Mel. R @ Apr 24th 2008 5:24PM
It's called camouflage cladding. Which FWIW, makes the back end remind me of a Prius.
Torrent @ Apr 24th 2008 11:14PM
Looks a little bulky. Where do you think this will fit in: below the Focus or inbetween the Focus and Fusion?
Price-wise, of course.
Montezuma @ Apr 25th 2008 8:08PM
Looks like Tata Nano.
brian @ Apr 24th 2008 5:15PM
i wonder how the bumper looks? it looks like they already played it down compared to the show car. what kind of BS wheels are those, have more pride in your product. why make an ugly base model?
Will @ Apr 24th 2008 5:20PM
I think it would be completely absurd to assume those are the production wheels considering this is a heavily disguised tester.
Is it astonishing to anyone else how much better the 3-door looks than the sedan?
doug @ Apr 24th 2008 5:54PM
Actually, those wheels are used currently on the Focus with the SE Deluxe package. Focus buyers pay extra for those....
.josh. @ Apr 24th 2008 5:29PM
where's the hatch?
Trevor @ Apr 24th 2008 5:33PM
Ford hasn't annonced if they are going to have the hatch here or not.
But if its up to Jim Farley all 3 versions will be here
ugg.tryptophan @ Apr 24th 2008 5:30PM
but i wanted the hatch
Carter @ Apr 24th 2008 5:31PM
The rear is jacked up to high and the wheel wells to small. Why does Ford do this with their small cars...the Focus suffers from the same design mismatch.
I think they do it to maximize interior space.
Doesn't work for me.
cameron42985 @ Apr 24th 2008 5:55PM
Sorry? Focus suffers from what, now?
Not poor sales, that's for sure.
BTW, when describing something, the word is "too" not "to". Engrish?
Justin @ Apr 24th 2008 10:46PM
Agreed 100% Carter. Don't know why small cars have to have to have all that ground clearance and unproportional wheel/tire sizes
Xcountryflyer @ Apr 24th 2008 5:40PM
I hope Ford doesn't make the same mistake as Toyota did with the Yaris by having a 5DR outside the US but not brought to the US and only having a 3DR and an ugly 4DR only.
Aprime @ Apr 24th 2008 5:56PM
Weird, I was under the impression it was sold as a 5-door in the US as well.
gqby22 @ Apr 24th 2008 5:41PM
Glen... your killing me!!! You better be careful shooting on Ford property or your going to end up with a nice tresspassing lawsuit... You know I could have got the same shots, But I decided to take the high road. I'll see you around. Brian Williams
cameron42985 @ Apr 24th 2008 5:45PM
Fiesta's gonna be the top-selling vehicle of what is currently the fastest growing segment in the US. Everyone here boasts their admiration for the likes of large and in-charge sedans and SUVs. Hoo-ha. Doesn't anyone watch CNBC? Large is down 30% this year. Sub-compacts are up 15% and the trends are showing no sign of reversal.
Fiesta is right where the money is, buddy. Just like with the Focus, Ford will be laughing all the way to the bank. That's something GM is yet to be able to do.
MajorGeek @ Apr 24th 2008 6:01PM
Did you read any other articles here today, the Cobalt for example? Just wondering...... Its not like Ford brags about being the #1 truck seller or has any large vehicles like an Expedition or Explorer. GM and Ford are very similar, just (i assume) GM sells more Tahoe and Trailblazer type of vehicles.
Anyhow, this is nothing new as I mentioned before. Everyone had to have an SUV or minivan, then gas went up, now the market is flooded with used vehicles and all these people want a small, fuel efficient car. Well, in reality, they need to save money on gas, plain and simple. This happens all the time and I was laughing over the last few years watching these people driving all these large vehicles while I added more Exxon Mobil to my portfolio. Anyone who has owned oil stocks for a number of years knows this is coming, over and over and over again. If gas prices were to level out to, lets say 3.25 a gallon, 2-3 years from now these same people will forget and start buying large vehicles... Again. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Ruby007 @ Apr 24th 2008 6:07PM
Pleased Ford! what ever you do, do not bring the sedan there is no need for another sedan you already ruined the Focus just bring us the 5 door hatch...