Ford Fiesta

Fiesta Mark VI (2008–):The sixth generation

Ford Fiesta Mark VI

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	2008–
Assembly	Almussafes, Spain Nanjing, China Cologne, Germany Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico Rayong, Thailand
Body style(s)	3-door Hatchback (Europe andAustralasia) 5-door Hatchback 4-door Sedan (North Americaonly) 2-door Van (Europe only)
Platform	Ford global B-car platform
Engine(s)	1.4L I4 1.6L I4 1.25L I4 1.4L Diesel I4 1.6L Diesel I4
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed PowerShift
Wheelbase	2,489 mm (98.0 in) Van: 2,487 mm (97.9 in)
Length	Sedan: 173.6 in (4409 mm) 2011- Hatchback: 160.1 in (4067 mm) 2008-2010: 3,950 mm (155.5 in) Van: 3,917 mm (154.2 in)
Width	1,722 mm (67.8 in) Van: 1,683 mm (66.3 in)
Height	2011-: 58.0 in (1473 mm) 2008-2010: 1,481 mm (58.3 in) Van: 1,467 mm (57.8 in)
Curb weight	1,041 - 1,092 kg (Petrol), 1,086 - 1,100 kg (Diesel)
Related	Mazda2

2008 Ford Fiesta 5-door

The sixth generation of the Ford Fiesta Mark VI, was shown in concept form as the Ford Verve at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007 and is currently marketed in principal European markets (including Germany)  as well as Great Britain, Japan, Australia and the United States. It shares its platform (new Ford global B-car platform) with the Mazda 2. The sixth generation is also known as Mark VII in United Kingdom
Fiesta sales for Canada begin in March 2010 for model year 2011. The 5-door hatchback will also be sold in Mexico starting 2011.

Equipment

Ford's Convers+ menu system, as seen on the Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy, and complemented by steering wheel button controls, will be available for the first time. Ford anticipates that over 85% of Fiesta orders will feature such a multifunction display. Also available for the first time will be keyless entry with 'Ford Power' starter button, reach and rake adjustable steering wheel, electric power steering, and a USB port for portable music players. Ford Easyfuel, the capless refueling system recently introduced with the Ford Mondeo, will also be a feature, while 'ambient lighting,' casting a soft red glow over the interior, will be an option. For the 2011 US market model, the Ford Sync in-car communications and entertainment system will be available as an option.
UK trim levels for the new Fiesta have now been revealed, progressing through Studio, Edge, ECONetic, Zetec, Zetec S, Titanium and Titanium Individual.

ECOnetic model

In 2008 Ford revealed details of an ECOnetic model, which Ford stated would emit 98g/km of carbon dioxide. The car was launched in 2009. It uses the 1.6 Duratorq TDCi engine, but with an added diesel particulate filter. The Fiesta ECOnetic achieves its environmental credentials through weight loss and aerodynamic adjustments, and its emission figure exempts the car from vehicle excise duty. The ECOnetic gets an estimated fuel consumption of 65 miles per US gallon (3.6 L/100 km; 78 mpg-imp). When tested on the highway mileage and emissions test schedules, on which hybrids are designed to perform well, the ECOnetic outperforms the Toyota Prius.The model will not be available in the United States because, as Business Week noted, the company "doesn't believe it could charge enough to make money on an imported ECOnetic" and doesn't think it would sell enough of the model (350,000/year) to justify the $350 million in upgrades required at their Mexico plant to manufacture it in North America.

Powertrain

The 1.6 Duratorq TDCi with 75 PS is sold instead of, in some countries alongside with the 1.4TDCi.
The 1.6 Duratorq TDCi with 212 N·m (156 lb·ft) torque is used on non-van models only. Vans with the 1.6 Duratorq TDCi are rated 200 N·m (150 lb·ft) torque.
Transmission choices include a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. The automatic is only offered with the 1.4 Duratec. The 2011 North American model offers the Powershift 6-speed dual-clutch automatic as an option in addition to the 5-speed manual.

Reception

Motor Trend called the new generation of Fiesta a "superb little car" whose "greatest problem is that it's still a year away", a reference to the fact that the Fiesta won't arrive in the USA until early 2010. British magazine Auto Express called the car a "new class leader"; UK's Car Magazine said it was a "huge achievement" which will "please just about everyone". The February 2009 issue of Britain's What Car? magazine named the new Fiesta "Car of the Year" and the Ford Mondeo "Best Family Car" and "Best Estate." According to What Car?, there are plenty of space in the front of the cabin, however, the rear knee space is rather limited and the backrests do not fold flat onto the base, making an uneven floor for the expanded boot.
The Fiesta was featured on episode 6 of series 12 of Top Gear in a series of "serious" road tests conducted by presenter Jeremy Clarkson, from escaping 'baddies' driving a Chevrolet Corvette C6 in the Festival Place Basingstoke shopping mall, to participating in an amphibious beach assault with the Royal Marines.

North American marketing

2011 Ford Fiesta sedan (US)

2011 Ford Fiesta 5-door (US)

For the North American Fiesta, Ford initiated a marketing campaign in the spring of 2009 called the Fiesta Movement, distributing examples of European Fiestas to applicants across the United States — to have the test drivers use popular Internet sites to share their experiences. Subsequently, Ford brought the cars to public venues nationwide to offer 100,000 test drives over eight months. One such event was offering free shuttle service in Chicago from a site near the Union Stationcommuter rail terminal to the Taste of Chicago event in Grant Park the week starting June 29, 2009. Late in July, six European Fiestas arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to begin a similar demonstration tour across Canada.
Following on the success of Fiesta Movement, which ensured awareness of the vehicle, Ford initiated Fiesta Movement 2 in December 2009 by calling for video applications to be submitted by the end of January 2010 for activities to begin mid-February. The purpose of this second phase of the Movement is to generate excitement for the vehicle.
In March of 2010, Ford worked with the popular television series 'American Idol' to promote the Ford Fiesta in North America. Working with Ford designers, the final 12 contestants of the show were given an opportunity to create their own custom graphics on a Ford Fiesta. The personalized Fiestas were revealed on the show and fans were given the chance to win one of the personalized cars.
The North American market version of the new Fiesta, which was unveiled at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show in December, will offer Ford's "Powershift" dual-clutch automatic transmission. It is not offered in a 3 door hatchback model. Certain options that are available in the UK (such as a heated windshield) are not offered in North America. Ford sales managers in Canada are being told that a diesel option is possible late in 2011.
Ford dealers in the US will offer an assortment of specialty-designed graphics for the Fiesta. They will be made of laminated vinyl, and are expected to last 3 to 5 years before being replaced.