Ford Fiesta U.S.-spec gets caught in Mexican factory
by Jonathon Ramsey on Oct 12th 2009 at 3:59PM 
Ford Fiestas being built in Mexico -- Click above for high-res image gallery
What is reported to be the coming U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta has been photographed during assembly in Mexico, and the minor changes we can glean so far center around the grille. Compared to its European counterpart, the American version gets a much chunkier front end which has pushed the leading edge of the hood back. The Ford emblem is now completely surrounded by the front clip.
Below that, the central opening is larger, ringed with chrome, and the bisecting bar on the Euro version has been moved up and fitted with a U.S. license plate holder. Outside, the single fog light has been reworked into a giant, glass covered alien eye. Make no mistake – it's still hot, and we still can't wait to see it when it's unveiled at the LA Auto Show next month.
Gallery: Dummies Ford Fiesta americano
[Source: Autoblog Spanish (translated)]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
mapoftazifosho 4:02PM (10/12/2009)
THE GRILL!!!!!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Yaroukh 4:09PM (10/12/2009)
Admit it, ff Euroean version had the grillE and Fiesta happened to come in the US without it you would scream "WE WANT GRILL!!!!!!!". :))
C.W. 4:39PM (10/12/2009)
you cant even tell in that black unfinished material! so zip it!
when it's in finish trim i'm sure it will look perfect. i'm impressed with how much it still looks like Euro spec considering all the safety bulk they needed to mash into that front end to meet our U.S. standards...
i love how people are ready to bash the front end and you dont even know what finish trim will look like!
Mehdi Cheddadi 5:38PM (10/12/2009)
Here's my humble photoshop of both fascias side by side
(yes you can use it autoblog if you want to :p)
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/1852/usvseurofiestai.jpg
Rich 5:56PM (10/12/2009)
Medhi: great work.
Shows how *little* it's changed, if anything.
C.W. 8:57AM (10/13/2009)
mehdi... that is awesome.
excellent work.
barchetta 10:44PM (10/14/2009)
Here's a Photoshop of a sedan (hard to tell) in Focus ST orange, US bumper and foglights and a Verve grille:
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/5320/fiestaywican.jpg
More over at Fiesta Faction Forum:
http://fiestafaction.com/forums/2011-fiesta-facts/21707-us-spec-fiesta-artists-impression-4.html
xcrunk 4:02PM (10/12/2009)
This car will be very successful for Ford.
Finally, a great looking B segment auto from a US automaker.
Good job Ford!
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Yaroukh 5:21PM (10/12/2009)
DetNews might be kinda cheerleader for Ford but still...
http://www.detnews.com/article/20091009/AUTO01/910090381/Quality--tec
(the first two paragraphs)
zapperdude60 4:02PM (10/12/2009)
Just get it in dealers already!
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LaserRed38 4:03PM (10/12/2009)
Um, weird. I think I like the styling of this bumper better. [gasp!!] I guess we'll have to wait and see until a complete model is shown.
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MeiSooHaityu 4:14PM (10/12/2009)
I agree with you. I ent back and looked at the euro fascia, and I do like the the one photographed here alot better. The proportions are a bit better. Overall the fascia above looks better.
Never thought the U.S. treatment would look better :lol:
John P. 4:22PM (10/12/2009)
I agree, and I was afraid. Very afraid the front end would be botched.
I like this better than the euro version.
Chibi Chaingun - blackhivemedia.com 5:55PM (10/12/2009)
I'll join this club!
I like the fogs. :)
Kattleox 7:00PM (10/12/2009)
I personally like the euro spec version more, but I am sure that it would be very cheap and easy to get that nose. I foresee this car having an excellent aftermarket.
Diego3336 4:04PM (10/12/2009)
Here comes the chromes...
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Nellydesign 4:09PM (10/12/2009)
The foglamps are the same as on the North American concept. Trapezoidal as opposed to round. I like the rounds better but these will be LED.
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Dustin 4:37PM (10/12/2009)
If nothing else, I hope these at least become black with a chrome surround (like the Fusion). The all-chrome is a bit ridiculous. I could foresee Ford changing it after one year, like the Focus fender "vents."
MeiSooHaityu 4:52PM (10/12/2009)
Dustin,
Well I think that chrome is the backing. I'm guessing a black plastic tub snaps in place over that chrome (with or without a fog lamp depending on the trim level). This will give the appearance of a chrome ring.
MeiSooHaityu 4:10PM (10/12/2009)
Looks good if that is the U.S. Spec front end. Glad to see they didn't change much. Looks like they incorporated a bit ot the Fusion fog lamp opening design next to the center grille opening.
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