The Auto Writer

The 3dCarbon/FSWerks 2011 Fiesta uses the built-in energy of Ford's European styling and the rock-solid foundation of its powertrain to springboard to the next level of street authority.

When you think of subcompact or compact cars, do you usually conceive of cars that offer minimal equipment to go along with a basic ride? The thinking for many years with car manufacturers was that small cars should carry a cheap price as well as few amenities.

Well, that idea has been scrapped as today’s first time car buyers expect that their vehicles will come with many of the amenities they want as standard equipment. Lots of cars now offer air-conditioning, Bluetooth, premium stereo as well as power windows, doors, and locks standard. But when the 2011 Ford Fiesta hits our market next summer, it’ll feature what Ford says will be as many as 15 class-exclusive technologies.

Moreover, the Fiesta should reach 40 mpg highway which will put the car at the top of its segment, besting the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and similar models.

Los Angeles Debut

On Wednesday, Ford finally took the wraps off of the Fiesta showing off several colorful models at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Ford has been creating buzz for its car for most of 2009; finding volunteers of Fiesta agents who wanted to drive the car and blog or videotape their experiences. On Tuesday night, the Jimmy Kimmel Live show presented the Fiesta to its audience, one more step in the buzzification of this European designed model.

Powered by a 1.6-liter DOHC I-4 engine with an estimated 119 horsepower and 109 ft.-lbs. of torque, the Fiesta can be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. That PowerShift transmission incorporates technologies which will help the Fiesta achieve high fuel economy results, something usually attributed to a manual transmission.

Leading Edge Technologies

The Fiesta will incorporate a new front end accessory drive (FEAD) belt with elastic dynamics, something that Ford says will improve the engine’s thermal dynamics. Purposely tuned front struts, bushings, dampers, stabilizer bars and a rear twist-beam axle are included to keep the Fiesta firmly planted on the road.

We’ll be taking a closer look at the Fiesta as its roll out date nears. So far, more than 500,000 Fiesta models have been sold worldwide since introduced in Autumn 2008, with a factory in Mexico being readied to supply these cars to the North American market.

The Fiesta is already Ford’s top selling model and will benefit from a fresh group of enthusiasts when the car finally appears in dealer showrooms next year.

Source: Ford Motor Company