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Next Ford Fiesta set for U.S. launch

04/27/2007, 10:53 AM

By Nick

Ford’s next-generation Fiesta subcompact will arrive in North America in 2009, according to Ford officials speaking with Motor Trend. The redesigned model will first appear in Europe in late 2008 — a year ahead of the planned U.S. debut.

The U.S. version will be nearly identical to the European one, said Ford of Europe design chief Martin Smith. Rather than being styled around the “Red, White and Bold” design theme used for the Edge, Taurus, and Flex, the Fiesta will feature an exterior in Ford Europe’s “Kinetic” design theme, also used for the new Mondeo and Iosis X.

It it will be “a Kinetic-design car, absolutely,” said Smith. Expect a trapezoidal grille, pointy headlamps, and pronounced wheel arches. Arriving in America in late 2009, the car — based on the new Mazda2 — will be lighter than the current Fiesta and feature a 1.6-liter powerplant.

The next

Conflicting designs

For a few years, Ford will be stuck with two design languages: Kinetic and Red, White and Bold. However, For CEO Alan Mulally recently made it clear this will eventually change. Mulally said he has a vision for “one Ford” unified by a global design theme from North America to Europe.

While Smith has said the new Fiesta will be a Kinetic design, it’s possible Ford might combine elements of both themes. In early 2006, Ford unveiled the Reflex concept (pictured) car based on the Fiesta platform. It featured a predominantly Kinetic design with a three-bar lower grille reminiscent of the “Bold” language.

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04/27, 10:57 AM

posted by:

PrimeGTP

Nice looking concept, can’t believe it’s a Fiesta. I remember my ex-mother-in-law’s old-ass Fiesta in Southampton, dragging its muffler up and down the street, lol.

Really though, is this what Ford thinks it needs to kickstart its NA sales back up? A new entry into the subcompact class which is already getting bombarded and overfilled nearly as bad as the crossover class?

04/27, 11:05 AM

posted by:

CaddyMTL

Good to hear!

04/27, 11:07 AM

posted by:

anyclearer

Thank god they will bring something decent!

04/27, 11:19 AM

posted by:

wetstuff

If it looked like the Reflex: Ford would be Born-Again! …for a few months anyway, ’till people started to take a hard look at the Visteon interior materials.

04/27, 11:21 AM

posted by:

Random Jerk

Always good to see some of Ford Europe make it’s way to US shores… But “Fiesta”? Sure there is a little history there (good and bad) but they need to come up with a name (or even marquee) that is going to be more appealing to the young buyers this will be targeted at.

04/27, 11:32 AM

posted by:

pezones

to little to late….

so – so far we have… the mkx (mondeo) and this coming over…

not enough, and not soon enough

04/27, 12:25 PM

posted by:

Ricardo Head

If they pop that reflex design on a Mazda2 at a decent price, these would fly out the door and compete well against the cheaper Asian offerings. If they just dumb down a Mazda2, then good luck. For me, though, the name Fiesta carries a bit of baggage.

04/27, 12:25 PM

posted by:

global_lightning

Here’s an idea:
“Red, White, and Bold” = Ford
“Kinetic” = Mercury
And let Lincoln continue developing their designs seen in the MKR, MKS, etc…

04/27, 12:37 PM

posted by:

AdamT

Wow, the word “Festiva” almost immediately translates in my mind to “Suck.” They should stick with “Reflex.” Unless the picture is misleading and they actually intend to produce a boxy, cheap-looking roller skate.

But if they can actually manage to put together a small and sharp-looking coupe, make it really light on a competent frame and give it dynamics to compete with the Fit that would be totally cool.

04/27, 12:43 PM

posted by:

Blakkarr

Fiesta is NOT a name I’d go for either. But at least they have a new car coming, Though sooner would be appreciated. Maybe FORD “Frenzy”, “FURY”, or “Fire”. anything but “Fiesta”. There’s the mentioned, by others “baggage” and it seems to be pandering to a certain group. Sorry if I come off as racist, but I couldn’t think of any other way to put it.

The MKX is based on the Mazda CX-7 not the Mondeo, although that isn’t a bad thing these days, The MKS is based on a VOLVO, and the MKZ is based on the MAZDA 6. FORD’s European offerings are at least five years ahead of anything they have in the US, sorry to say.

04/27, 12:45 PM

posted by:

Arbiter

But read the story PrimeGTP….that illustration is NOT the Fiesta!

And AdamT the car is the FIESTA, not the FESTIVA. Two totally different vehicles, the Fiesta is the Euro car and the FESTIVA was an Asian import.

04/27, 2:10 PM

posted by:

Blakkarr

Geez! thanks for that Arbiter.

Festiva… Still don’t like that name though. It’s the baggage of a cheesy crappy little car that was only marginally better than a YUGO.

04/27, 3:54 PM

posted by:

t-ak-box

I like the name “Fiesta”. Sounds like a party, but I have to agree the name “Festiva” is not so Hot! Sounds like something you feel like after a really good party. “I’m festiva out!”

04/27, 4:19 PM

posted by:

0GSharK6

If the Fiesta ends up looking anything remotely like that concept, and if the quality is as good as the looks, I could easily see it outselling the Yaris/Aveo/Versa/Accent and what have you.

04/27, 7:12 PM

posted by:

Arbiter

Mr. Wizard…..
I had not one but THREE Fiestas. And better yet, they were demos! I was a Ford dealer and, yes, I drove a Fiesta, Both Sports and Ghias, I loved ‘em! Drove a Fiesta “fashion” when I visited the UK in 1995.
Great, fast (for the class) good handling cars.

Well worth the cost circa 1978.

04/27, 7:26 PM

posted by:

bolex

red white and bold?….how ’bout just call it ‘black and blue’ from the whipping theyre taking from the competition. suckaz!

04/27, 8:40 PM

posted by:

LJ

Keep the Reflex design and name, make it the size of the Yaris sedan, at least, and they may have a good chance of many sales.

04/27, 10:56 PM

posted by:

VDuv Kux Klan

http://www.ford.com.mx/vehicles/know/photogallery.asp?idModel=FIS look thats the actual Fiesta it isnt a big deal

04/28, 2:33 AM

posted by:

Blakkarr

This car looks like a baby GR-1.

Speaking of which where is that car anyway? They’ve been showing in commercials lately but where is the production number?

04/28, 7:47 AM

posted by:

PrimeGTP

@VDuv’s link: Oh hey look, it’s a Ford Cobalt.

Seriously, lame.

04/28, 8:17 PM

posted by:

TOZO

Alphanumeric, deantj? A bunch of meaningless letters and numbers no one but us will remember. These alphanumerics seriously lack character, and only a few European brands can get away with it. Design though – of course: Essential. The name Mazda Mazda2 is too damn redundant and dumb. Mazda “2″ = OK.

04/29, 1:26 AM

posted by:

Ian

alphanumerics for Ford I think wont go very well. They should keep names of cars that people know very well i.e. Taurus, Mustang. Make a car where people will know the name and identify it with the positive characteristics. BMW can get away with it because they’ve been doing it since their start.
As for the world wide design. I think its a great idea! As long as they are as dope as the Euro Fords. One thing I think would do very well here in North America are the FPV’s. If you don’t know what FPV is all about I suggest you look it up. I think they are the best Fords ever made to recent date.
I think this new VP has got the right idea. Knows the history of Ford and wants nothing more then to rebuild it to the automotive power house it use to be. Plus it’ll push all the other companies to produce cars that will compete.

04/29, 3:09 PM

posted by:

GBilbo070

Guys why are we even discussin this we know it’ll never look like that.

04/30, 1:49 AM

posted by:

TOZO

True, deantj. Lots of crappy-ass forgettable names out there with Ford. If only Ford had remembered to renew its better and well-known retired trademarks with the USPTO instead of losing them.

GBilbo070, I hope you’re right, & that’s what I thought until 2 years ago when Lincoln decided to “MK” everything. Then the paranoia took over.

04/30, 7:27 AM

posted by:

maximus

yeah, the base model will have hubcaps and more Ford Symbols that are bigger than last years.

05/01, 2:26 AM

posted by:

sharpie

Don’t care how it will look, I am just happy to see a Ford Subcompact that is not made by Kia (I would even be a tad interested if Ford is selling a rebadged subcompact made by Kia than nothing in the subcompact segment at all) It is about time.

05/14, 8:45 AM

posted by:

DialM4Speed

Well this Mulally guy has one thing right. You don’t need several different design themes, one will do fine. And what ever ya do Ford don’t call it Fiesta!!!!!

 
 
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