Ford makes Fiesta Panel Van official
Well, it wasn't the Paris unveiling we had expected, but Ford has indeed pulled the covers off its Fiesta Panel Van at the 2008 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, Germany. Based on the three-door Fiesta hatchback, the new Panel Van is designed for commercial and private users who only need to haul non-human goods and want to use the most economical vehicle possible for the job. Sure, it's no Super Duty, but it'll get the job done for a large number of drivers across the pond. Under the stylish hood, buyers will find a choice of gas or diesel engines ranging from a 60-horse 1.2-liter gas unit to the range-topping 1.6-liter diesel outputting 90-horsepower and 150 lb-ft. Europeans will be able to get over 67 miles out of each of their oddly-sized gallons while sending just 110 g/km of carbon out their tailpipes with the most frugal diesel engine option. See here for a preview of how the new car might drive and click past the break for all the juicy details.
Gallery: Ford Fiesta Panel Van
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
ALL-NEW FIESTA VAN LEADS FORD LINE-UP AT 2008 IAA COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SHOW
* World premiere of the all-new Fiesta Van at 2008 IAA Hanover Show
* Professional and eyecatching van derivative of the all-new Ford Fiesta
* Fiesta Van delivers 110g/km CO2 and combined fuel economy of 4.2l/100 km (67.3mpg)*
* Practicality, style and fun for the light commercial vehicle segment
HANOVER/COLOGNE, September 23, 2008 – The all- new Ford Fiesta Van makes its public debut at the 2008 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, bringing practicality, style and fun to the European light commercial vehicle segment.
Based on the all-new Ford Fiesta car which is being launched in Europe from autumn 2008, the Fiesta Van derivative is designed to meet the needs of professional or personal use customers and will be available in most European markets from early 2009.
Practical and Compact
For its latest reincarnation, the new Fiesta Van sets out to exceed the needs and expectations of commercial customers who want a small van.
With its compact exterior footprint, practical load compartment area and low cost of ownership, the Fiesta Van is the ideal choice for urban express delivery, service fleets and artisans thanks to its combination of van practicality and car-like styling and usability.
Note: Fuel economy figures quoted are based on the European Fuel Economy Directive
EU 80/1268/EEC and will differ from fuel economy drive cycle results in other regions of the world
The new model shares many of its key qualities with the car on which it is based, the all-new Ford Fiesta. The sturdy yet lightweight 3-door body shell is a solid foundation for a safe and agile driving experience, high levels of durability, low fuel consumption and emissions, and a payload capacity that meets LCV segment expectations.
The new Fiesta Van is particularly stylish, thanks to the 'kinetic design' form language of its 3-door passenger car body in which the rear side windows are replaced by body coloured solid panels, and the rear passenger seats are removed to provide space for a clean and step-less load box area.
The load box volume is targeted to exceed 1,000 litres in volume, with a maximum useable load length of up to 1292 mm, as well as a maximum load box width of 1278 mm (1004mm between the wheel arches) and heights of up to 936 mm. The roomy load area is shielded from the driver compartment with a standard half-high bulkhead. Standard solid DIN-compliant tie-down hooks and an optional upper DIN bulkhead extension make sure that this compact city-friendly van is fully compliant to the DIN cargo retention regulations all over Europe.
Low Cost of Ownership
The new Fiesta Van is available with a well balanced choice of engines to offering commercial customers excellent fuel economy and low cost of ownership.
Engines available include the 1.25-litre Duratec 16V petrol unit (82 PS/60 kW), a frugal 1.4-litre Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel (68 PS/50 kW), and a top-of the-range 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi (90 PS/66kW) turbo diesel with standard closed-loop coated DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter).
(Note: All technical data quoted for Fiesta Van are preliminary, and may be subject to final adjustment prior to launch)
The fuel economy figures of the Fiesta Van are targeted to match those of the Fiesta 3-door passenger car. With a European Drive Cycle combined fuel consumption of just 4.2 l/100 km (67.3 mpg)* and an average CO2 emission of just 110 g/km, both of the diesel engines offer a value-for-money 'green' proposition and deliver real world fuel cost savings to business customers when compared with older types of diesel powertrain.
Safe and Enjoyable
Using the 3-door new Fiesta passenger car as the basis for the Fiesta Van means that commercial customers can benefit from a wide range of technologies and features designed to ensure a safe and enjoyable working environment for their drivers.
The nicely balanced chassis setup with MacPherson struts in the front and a rear twist-beam suspension is designed for a safe and controllable ride under all loading conditions.
The new EPAS (Electric Power Assisted Steering) system delivers high levels of steering accuracy and contributes to lower fuel consumption thanks to the absence of a hydraulic device that would increase inertia and raise fuel consumption.
The safe and agile chassis setup is complemented by standard active safety features like ABS anti-lock brakes including Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). ESP is available as an option with all engines and includes Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). The passive safety feature list includes standard front airbags and optional seat mounted side airbags for driver and passenger, with a knee airbag for the driver – an industry first in this segment.
As with the new Fiesta, the Van version is also equipped with the acclaimed Ford EasyFuel capless refuelling system which is clean and easy and clean to use and also has a mis-fuel inhibitor that protects against the wrong filler nozzle being inserted. This feature is a major benefit to commercial customers, particularly for mixed fleets and vehicles that are used by multiple drivers.
In addition, a wide range of options and accessories is available to make the Fiesta Van a tailored professional tool. The infotainment options include various audio systems, a Bluetooth® wireless mobile phone interface and a docking station for mobile navigation systems. Different levels of security systems can be specified, including remote controlled double-locking and a perimeter alarm.
Deliver with Style
The all-new Fiesta Van is not just all about capacity and practicality. Because it is derived from the all-new Ford Fiesta passenger car, it is the first Ford commercial vehicle to incorporate fully the company's latest 'kinetic design' styling.
"A commercial vehicle is not just a tool that has to deliver goods in a reliable and cost-efficient way – it's also a business card," said Steve Adams, Ford of Europe's new Vehicle Line Director for Commercial Vehicles. "The new Fiesta Van delivers with great style, thanks to its highly attractive and contemporary design that stands out from the crowd, yet does not sacrifice practicality."
On the inside, the contemporary, driver-focused interior design makes the driver feel at home during working hours, while the carefully executed ergonomics contribute to a safe and easy journey.
Further technical details of the new Fiesta Van will be released closer to launch in early 2009.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Flashpoint 9:37AM (9/27/2008)
I don't think Diesel will catch on in America before electric hybrid/plug in/hydrogen or whatever our future vehicle standard will be.
Depending who the next President is, and how deep the recession is (I think the next 10 years unless changes happen soon), America's electric infrastructure would need to be renewed in order to handle the strain of electric vehicles. It can be done but only with strong leadership. Within the next 10 years, all fuel stations will offer an alternative fuel/electric solution thanks to congress. Now they should mandate car makers start fuel efficiency at 50mpg City.
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stealthebeatles 3:03PM (9/27/2008)
It would make no sense to mandate that. Any car that makes 50mpg city is going to sell spectacularly, and every automaker wants that. Mandating it would just strain resources, and make it more difficult for ever company except maybe Toyota and Honda.
tekman94 4:45PM (9/27/2008)
So how do you get a pick-up to get 50MPG that can actually be used for anything. A hybrid Pick-up isn't be tough enough to to the job.
ryann 12:54PM (9/28/2008)
Flashpoint, thank you for reminding me there are as many idiots on the Left as on the Right.
Our current infrastructure is just fine. If you employ remote load balancing devices as are being rolled out in many areas, your car recharges every night after everyone has turned off their lights and turned down (or up) their thermostats.
The way to raise fuel economy isn't to mandate it but to use market forces.
-A marketing campaign that made high mileage patriotic and low mileage Saudi oil gulping vehicles uncool.
-Add a revenue neutral gas tax which uses revenues to offer rebates on higher mileage cars.
-Change the gas guzzler tax to a sliding scale based upon average fuel economies.
If the rich or stupid want to lay out money to drive an inefficient car, let them, but make them pay for the privilege.
Likewise TekMan, what part of a hybrid can't be made tough? The electric motor? Batteries?
tankd0g 1:20PM (9/28/2008)
Dream on Ryan. You think a 50mpg 1/2 ton pickup is possible? No, it's not. You think there's going to be such a thing as off peak time in america once everyone has plug in vehicles? No, there won't be. Once heating oil is gone guess what we're all going to be heating our houses with at night, 10,000W of electricity.
Dave 6:50AM (9/29/2008)
@tankdog
Yeehaw! We ain't never gon' have the techmology for 50 mpg trucks cuz...err...umm...well, I ono. I reckon it ain't gon' happen.
Get real. Technology is going to advance for as long as we're alive. I'm sure people in the 20's said "400hp in a car! No way will anything smaller than a locomotive have that kind of power!"
Flashpoint 9:40AM (9/27/2008)
The Fiesta is a cool car that will probably never see American shores. Of course, Ford could just incorporate Diesel in the Edge and the Focus if it really wanted to go that route, but I don't think Diesel will catch on here.
This model of the Fiesta looks terrible. That blue space looks so crude.
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LCN 9:58AM (9/27/2008)
Ford has already decided it is bringing the Fiesta here.
tankd0g 1:20PM (9/28/2008)
Ford decides a lot of things, they aren't big on the follow through.
BoneHeadOtto 10:38AM (9/27/2008)
WHY??
and Why the 2dr??
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nighttime 11:14AM (9/27/2008)
because it's a panel van...
Torrent 12:41PM (9/27/2008)
because it's ugly. Love the fiesta, but this looks bland.
BoneHeadOtto 3:12PM (9/27/2008)
panel vans are made from 4dr versions of cars not coupes. Yes the final panel van has 2 doors but it is built from a 4dr model. Make the panel van out of the 4dr so you actually have room to haul something more than the coupe already does.
EXP Jawa 6:07PM (9/27/2008)
At least in Detroit, traditionally the panel version was a 2-door wagon derivative, not a 4-door sedan. This is as close to that as this model has. The HHR panel was the first time I recall seeing a 4-door panel vehicle. Of course, that's all they had to work with...
BoneHeadOtto 8:53PM (9/27/2008)
>>This is as close to that as this model has
i thought they had a 4dr hatch. Am i wrong. That seems like a better model to make a "van" from
Markus 5:17AM (9/28/2008)
They are almost always based on 2-door hatch versions, I guess mainly because there's no point in having four doors if you don't have rear seats anyway. Plus, many people install shelves or toolboxes and stuff inside and having rear doors would actually make that harder.
Another aspect is, this is not a choice between basing it on a coupe vs. a 4-door but between basing it on either a 2-door or a 4-door version of the same hatchback body, so again, no point in choosing the 4-door base.
BoneHeadOtto 9:02AM (9/28/2008)
to me the HHR did it the right way. They took the 4dr sweater and made it a dr 2seater that can actually haul stuff. It also has storage compartments built in. Ford should have done the same thing with this car. Base it on the 4dr hatch so there is room, then only have 2 doors.
Markus 12:01PM (9/28/2008)
OK, I see what you mean now. This is different for this car class though. For all those subcompacts, the 2- and 4-door hatch versions are identical except for the doors themselves, so taking a 4-door and welding the doors shut wouldn't gain you any space compared to taking the 2-door version in the first place. They are identical.
BoneHeadOtto 11:33PM (9/28/2008)
@Markus
thanks for clearing that up. Funny cause the 4drs look longer to me but maybe they arent.
Mike!!ekiM 11:09AM (9/27/2008)
Ouch! Please DON'T import this version.
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