That's a Good Sport: Ford offers sport package on European Fiesta
Ford Fiesta Sport – Click above to view in high resolution
After having driven Ford's latest Fiesta both in Europe and in North America, we came away duly impressed. The only tangible thing we longed for was a more sport-oriented chassis. And while we may have to wait a little longer to receive the diminutive hatchback on this side of the Atlantic altogether, at least European customers have received what we wished for.
While sport packages offered on competing products tend to be little more than cosmetics, the new Sport trim level on the Ford Fiesta incorporates a tighter suspension, dropped by 9 milimeters. Visually the Sport model is distinguished by a different grille, ground effects package (including front and rear aprons, side skirts and diffuser), 16" wheels and darkened headlamps. Among the bundled options found inside the cabin are leather-wrapped sports steering wheel and shifter, plus the key inclusion of an ESP Off switch for more spirited, less restricted driving. The package is available to European customers with either of three engines: the 96hp 1.4-liter four, 120hp 1.6-liter four or 90hp 1.6-liter turbodiesel. And while that may not amount to a proper ST or RS hot hatch, it's not a bad start.
[Source: CarScoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Aprime 5:47PM (5/03/2009)
Maaaaaaan that thing can't get here soon enough. :|
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the_MVP_X 6:07PM (5/03/2009)
Be patient my boy, it will be worth waiting, but still not US made.
John 6:16PM (5/03/2009)
Countdown until Ford screws it up big time by "Americanizing" it for the US market in 3...2...1...
Mazda FTW! 6:18PM (5/03/2009)
John - And even if they don't, the public will negate it by still picking compacts with import badges on them. I certainly hope I'm wrong, but I know I'm not.
Yaroukh 6:33PM (5/03/2009)
@Mazda FTW!: I kinda hope ppl will start to appreciate Ford - wastly improved (initial) quality, top-notch hybrid vehicle, this new Fiesta, no bailout... I think of Ford as of reborn automaker.
Sea Urchin 6:42PM (5/03/2009)
@ MAZDA FTW
well it depends, i sat in cheapest Yaris and my god was in scary, it is one of the WORST interiors ever. So Fiesta should be able out do Yaris, but the question is the price. I look at Ford and that new SHO Taurus will be in Acura territory, so i do worry that Ford will overprice the car.
The key is to be everything Honda fit is, at a lower price.
bc 6:55PM (5/03/2009)
Most of the European-designed Fords built or imported here during the last several decades were not significantly changed except to meet regulatory requirements, and they didn't sell particularly well anyway. The people who say they want European models talk a good game, but they don't put money behind the talk. The Opels sold as Saturns didn't light the market on fire either, nor does Volkswagen do terribly well in the low-to-mid-price market. People only seem to buy European cars if they have a prestige badge and cost more than $30K, and even they're losing market share to the Asians.
Bill 7:36PM (5/03/2009)
Even if they do "Americanize" is slightly, and I understand the rationale why they would/might, I would gladly pay a little bit extra ($500) for something like a "sport" package depending on what it offered.
A little bit tighter suspension, moderately better tires, maybe some tasteful visuals. Personally, I don't care much about the engine. A base engine is fine for my daily driving needs, I just like the handling and ride to be a little crisper.
That way, those who want a softer ride can get it, and those that want a firmer one can too.
Sea Urchin 8:23PM (5/03/2009)
@BC
folks in here have beaten this topic to death, but let's do it again.
Saturn Astra is from what i understand a carbon copy of a car they get in Europe (Opel Astra), what we got in USA is
#1 $1,450 option for a 4-speed automatic tranny, i did my research, Corvette's and Caddy's automatic tranny did not cost that much, it is BMW territory.
#2 Stability Control was $450 and
#3 the car itself was priced above Civic, Corolla and other small sedans. It was better equipped but you just can not price a Saturn ABOVE kings of the segment. You can not because when some says small, affordable car they say Civic,Corolla, Sentra.
Now imagine you are a good looking gal (blond, tall, all that), who is tired of putting out all the time, so she wants to get her own ride, she looks at Astra and sees that $1,450 tranny, how do you think she will handle it? Also i sat in Astra, its pretty cheap on the inside, inline with Corolla, but WAY worse than Civic.
So BC what i am trying to say is, just because GM failed at something...that doesn't mean anything. Sure it will be an uphill battle, plus USA had a HUGE stimulus (as a % of GDP) so that will insure inflation in the future and that dollar will be below Euro which will make European built cars more expensive to Americans. Yes odds are against Ford, but past failures mean nothing because they were committed by GM, one of the most dysfunctional companies out there.
* I did all Astra research few months ago, so prices could have changed. This rant was brought to you by me being single and lonely and a known GM hater. This is a trademark of Sea Urchin Inc.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:33PM (5/03/2009)
On both Cadillacs and Corvettes, a stick costs extra. So where did you come up with a price for an automatic?
Why would anyone get an automatic in an Astra?
I don't really see an Astra as comparable to a Corolla. A Corolla is a VERY basic car and an Astra is not. It is kind of comparable to a higher-end Civic. I have no idea how you think the Astra interior is similar to a Corolla's.
Astras have had $3000-$4000 rebates since fall last year. You really think you can get an equivalent car from Honda for $14,500-$17,000?
K4Lic0 12:08AM (5/04/2009)
@John
You do realize Ford has been selling more cars than Toyota lately, right? Ford is quickly making their way to the top.
John 5:20PM (5/04/2009)
@K4Lic0
No doubt. And I'm not specifically dogging Ford; just a general observation of what tends to happen when US car companies bring the "desirable" Euro models that we want here.
Geekengineer 6:43PM (5/03/2009)
In an alternate universe, my car stable would consist of:
1) a hotted-up 3-door Mk 6 Fiesta
2) a hatch Mk 4 Mondeo
Unfortunately, I'm guessing we won't get the best Fiesta, and the Mondeo just plain won't come here.
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chilipepper 6:51PM (5/03/2009)
If only it would come to America exactly like this. I really want to buy american after buying foreign for so many years.
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Will 7:04PM (5/03/2009)
Do want!
This goes head-to-head with the ChryFIATsler 500 Abarth in the small-car purchase decision in my head.
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Gary Lowe 7:15PM (5/03/2009)
The new Fiesta has been on sale in China for at least two months and though I've not driven one, my impression after sitting in it is; that it feels cheap. I really wonder if people are going to go for this car in a big way.
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Chris 8:00PM (5/03/2009)
Yeah, well, in CHINA...duh...bet it's not the same.
why not the LS2LS7? 3:41AM (5/04/2009)
Right, so they might change the interior for China...
But you assume they won't for the US?
Chris 7:59PM (5/03/2009)
This is hot! They should bring the sport package! I'm still kinda bummed about not getting the 3-door...but this might make up for it!
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JDM Life 8:06PM (5/03/2009)
And what will the sport packeage DO actaully but add visual looks....this car is the farthest thing from sport....
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