Spy Shots: Ford Fiesta sedan spotted in Mexico with plug, but it's not an EV!
by Sam Abuelsamid on Sep 4th 2009 at 6:29PM 
With the new North American market Ford Fiesta set to launch production in Mexico in just a few months, it's no surprise that someone has spotted one running around near Mexico City. In this case, the car that was seen is the sedan version that is likely to comprise the majority of U.S. sales. Automovil, which got a hold of these pics and saw an electric cord sticking out of the lower grille, is speculating that this is an electrified version of the Fiesta, going so far as to claim that it was operating silently. On this point, however, Ford has never given any indication that it is working on an electric Fiesta – its upcoming electric passenger car is based on the new Focus platform. We checked with Ford spokespeople Alan Hall and Jennifer Moore (who specifically work on sustainability communications) and both told us that there is no work ongoing on an electric Fiesta. Since the plug appears to be a standard 110V three prong unit, this is almost certainly just a block heater. While a heater wouldn't be needed in the sunny summer locale in Mexico, this prototype has likely seen service in cold weather regions at other times.
As for the reported silence, Ford has said almost all of its cars will have automatic start-stop capability within the next few years and the Fiesta is expected to be one of the first so equipped. Thanks to Francisco for the tip!
[Source: Automovil]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
VW GTi 6:34PM (9/04/2009)
It looks like an extension cord. I doubt that an automaker would put the charging plug where it could get soaked with water and hit with other road debris, but who knows.
Reply
David 7:00PM (9/04/2009)
My guess is it's a cord for a block heater.
Duncan 7:03PM (9/04/2009)
That was my first thought as well, though I did question why such a thing would be needed in Mexico.
Can't they remove the cord instead of bundling it up?
Randy 12:32AM (9/05/2009)
An "Engine Immersion Heater" is what Ford calls it. I'm not sure about it being that though. Doesn't look like their usual OEM EIH cord.
Farmboy 6:46PM (9/04/2009)
I know it's a horrible long shot but maybe diesel. Even though a previous report said Ford is not doing oil burners in cars for a while. Probably a block heater though for the gas....
Reply
Farmboy 6:49PM (9/04/2009)
It looks like we will have a bit of a different front end, but this thing is gonna be a hit. It looks like it will look great.
Duncan 7:01PM (9/04/2009)
I saw one rolling around here in town a few months ago, apparently as part of Ford's viral marketing efforts. I like it a lot - more so than the Fit, which is already a well-packaged little machine.
Probably helps that it was bright green, which has long been a weakness of mine (chalk it up to day-glo pictures of old Lambo Miuras).
odens 6:47PM (9/04/2009)
Whats that do hickey attached to the drivers wheel
Reply
Duncan 6:58PM (9/04/2009)
Most likely a sensor of some kind, either for speed or motion (lateral, horizontal, etc.).
Sam Abuelsamid 7:40PM (9/04/2009)
It's a torque sensor used to measure braking and acceleration torque at the wheel.
EXP Jawa 8:15PM (9/04/2009)
Actually, what's hanging off of that wheel is just a slip ring. There's no torque transducer shown in that picture (it would be a visable part of a special wheel itself).
The slip ring could still be used to measure wheel speed, or it could be used to transmit information from a sensor that isn't visable in the picture, like a strain-gauged axle shaft. I'd guess that's likely the case, since there isn't much need to read just wheel speed alone, since a CANalyzer can read that direct from the vehicle's CAN bus without the need for external hardware.
RSR 4:26AM (9/05/2009)
Many test cars are equipped with instruments and sensors to measure/monitor powertrain and various systems. The cord is used to supply power to some of the equipments, both external and internal. They have been very commonly seen on many test cars in Michigan, since years ago (and none of them were electric cars).
It also could be for engine block heaters, as some guessed.
Reply
Allen 3:05PM (9/05/2009)
I used to work for an unspecified Detroit automaker, you are right on the money here.
RG 8:45AM (9/05/2009)
I'm sayin' pull start. :)
Reply
David 10:44AM (9/05/2009)
I disagree with the statement that "the majority will be the sedan version". I certainly hope that's not the case. I think the auto press keeps perpetuating the myth that "Americans won't buy hatches". Maybe 20 years ago that was true, but we've had a long, LONG run of SUVs, all of which are ... hatches, so I think we now "get" the utility of a hatch versus that of a sedan.
I know that I see 10 hatch Yarises for every 1 sedan, but maybe that's because the sedan is so easily ignorable. Ditto for the SX4 -- hatch version far outweighs the sedan, and similarly for the Versa. So much for "conventional wisdom".
Reply