Will the USA See a New Ford Fiesta?
Last year, rumors were spreading across the globe that a new US-based version of Ford’s Fiesta will hit streets by 2009, or 2010. This week, Europe was introduced to the Fiesta Sportsvan – leaving Americans asking – “Where’s our Fiesta?”
US Ford Fiesta?
Dozens of automotive blogs are reporting the 2010 Ford Fiesta will be on sale in North America by year’s end. With Ford doing the best of the three failing American auto makers will hopefully keep the dream of a new Fiesta alive. Maybe we shouldn’t be begging for one car while jealousy surges through our veins for this UK based Sportsvan. Read more about it (and try to control yourselves) in the press release below.
UK Fiesta Sports Van Press Release:
The new Ford Fiesta Van is now on sale from £9,025. Low running costs make this new entry into the car-derived market a sound business decision. Frugal fuel economy of up to 67.3mpg*, insurance groups of 1E and 2E and a choice of engines and trim levels make it a class-leading package.
UK Based Ford Fiesta Sportsvan
Steve Kimber, Ford of Britain’s commercial vehicles director, said: “Fiesta Van is a main player in the car-derived van market with around 25 per cent of all sales. We expect to build on this, as more and more of today’s businesses look to keep their costs under control.
“The van model was an integral part of the new Fiesta product plan and its superior quality really shows. Being competitive has never been more relevant and that’s why Fiesta Van, with the range-topping SportVan, is a great addition to our 2009 line-up.”
The fuel efficiency of the Fiesta Van is best in class: the petrol engine has combined fuel consumption of 49.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 133g/km. Both diesel engines have a combined fuel consumption of 67.3mpg* and CO2 emissions of just 110g/km.
The new Fiesta Van is available in three versions: Fiesta Van, the new “Trend” and “SportVan” with prices starting at £9,025 for the 1.25 Duratec 82PS petrol to £10,780 for the SportVan 1.6 TDCi 90PS with coated diesel particulate filter (cDPF). The addition of the Trend series is set to appeal to a wider group of customers. It is ideal for image-conscious businesses who may be delivering small packages, transporting compact equipment such as meter reading tools or for the site engineer who does not need a large capacity for tools.
Engines
The new Fiesta Van is available with a choice of engines: 1.25-litre 82PS Duratec 16 valve petrol unit and a frugal 1.4-litre 68PS Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel. The top-of-the-range 1.6-litre 90PS Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel is standard in the Fiesta SportVan. The closed-loop coated cDPF is optional on the 1.6-litre 90PS Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel on all series. Both diesel engines are built at Ford’s wind-powered plant at Dagenham, Essex.
Car becomes a van
A payload range from 490kg to 515kg gives customers a competitive option for transporting their products. The rear side windows are replaced by body-coloured solid panels, and the rear passenger seats are removed to provide a load box area of 1,000 cubic litres, with a maximum useable load length of 1,296mm, as well as a maximum load box width of 1,278mm (1,000mm between the wheel arches) and a height of up to 806mm. A half-height composite bulkhead and DIN-compliant tie-down hooks are standard.
New Fiesta Van is equipped with the acclaimed Ford EasyFuel capless refuelling system which is clean and easy to use and also has a mis-fuel inhibitor that prevents the wrong fuel filler nozzle being inserted. This feature is a major benefit to commercial customers, particularly for mixed fleets and vehicles that are used by multiple drivers.
This new model also inherits the best technologies and features from its car cousin including: a chassis designed for a safe and controllable ride under all loading conditions, the new Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) for steering accuracy and lower fuel consumption, and anti-lock brakes (ABS) including Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) is available as an option with all engines (standard on SportVan) and includes Emergency Brake Assist (EBA).
ohh
I have had the priviledge of driving the Euro version for a couple of weeks. Me and my friend have been chosen by Ford to help launch the American Fiesta so we were briefed on the features in Detroit and good news to US drivers, the Am version will have 0.2 liters more under the hood. We have a microsite on the Fiesta Movement site (www.fiestamovement2.com/chicago) and you will find out bout our launch, when we’re doing events yadda yadda. do the ‘follow us’ and we’ll make sure you stay informed. it’s our job
– J
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