Roughly 30 years after the debut of the original Ford Fiesta compact hatchback in the U.S., Ford is bringing back a car with the same ideals and name that could be one of the troubled automaker's saving graces in the American market. Equipped with a 1.6L four-cylinder engine (the same displacement as in the original Fiesta, no less) to start, the front-drive Fiesta should hit showrooms in sedan form by late 2010. Expect an Ecoboost option to follow, more than likely a 1.3L unit. Three and five-door hatches should also become available, and the Fiesta's overall specifications should change very little from the version currently available in Europe.
That means that what you see is pretty much what you'll get. Exterior and interior styling will not be significantly revised, nor will the European Fiesta's chassis or 120-hp engine. What may be revised slightly is the Fiesta's suspension tuning -- with a softer setup deemed more appropriate for the U.S. market than the slightly sharper, stiffer European state of tune.
The European "Titanium" trim level include rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps, driver-side manual lumbar support, a key-free system with "Ford power" start button, automatic temperature control, Bluetooth and voice USB connectivity, and 15-in. alloys. We'll get the optional Microsoft Sync system, which helps ensure that the majority of American buyers won't care about handling so much as making hands-free phone calls.
With a near-98-in. wheelbase, the Fiesta is certainly small, but as we found in our first drive of the European-spec model, the diminutive hatch rides with a sophistication that belies its size. We were impressed with the engine too. While not a powerhouse by any means, the Fiesta's perky, easy-revving nature should delight enthusiasts, while rewarding them with a decent five-speed manual transmission and over 30 mpg to boot. Sounds like a chip off the old Fiesta block to us.
Bottom Line: It should actually work here this time
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