LA Auto Show Mega-Gallery One- The Ford Fiesta

Mmmm, stripy!
Mmmm, stripy!

There’s no siesta from this Fiesta as Ford had nearly a dozen of the cars on display- from mild to wild. The 2011 Fiesta packs a 1.6-litre DOHC four cylinder that the Blue Ovoids claimed to be good for 40-mpg highway. We couldn’t verify that as there didn’t seem any easy way to get one off the floor and onto the 110 fwy.
The high MPG is helped by a choice of twin-clutch 6-speed auto or row-your-own, as well as electric power steering- something that has been the downfall of a number of other cars (I’m looking at you, Chevy Colbalt). The Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) four wrings out 119-bhp and 109 ft-lbs of torque, regardless of which transmission has got its back.
The exterior of the littlest Ford – which will be built at the Youngstown OH Ford plant – is little changed from the ones squirreling around Europe, or that had been thrown to “agents” in the fiestamovement, Ford’s social media campaign which led up to yesterday’s introduction. The five-door hatch was joined by a traditional three-box sedan that’s a kissing cousin to the Verve concept of last year’s show.
The interior is roomy, and in the case of one car, very purple. Textures on the dash are a little weird, but not off-putting, and there’s lots of features that even small-car drivers demand these days, like iPod integration and a steering wheel full of buttons. Ford says the center stack is supposed to resemble a cell phone’s face, and it does look like Nokia had a hand in the flying-V design.
Check out the gallery below for your own personal fiesta. We’ll tell you how it drives just as soon as they hit the rental lots we get one to test.
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  1. Dr_Dangerously Avatar

    I would love to have the chance to take that Rally Fiesta around a stage

    1. scroggzilla Avatar

      [youtube N8-JtUmOEys&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8-JtUmOEys&fe… youtube]

      1. PowerTryp Avatar

        Have I ever told you I love you? In a completely plutonic yet manly way of course.

  2. joshuman Avatar

    I look forward to renting one on my next vacation. No really. I do.

  3. Tim Odell Avatar
    Tim Odell

    I gotta give Ford credit for the marketing effort they've put in on the Fiesta. The whole "movement" thing felt a little tired by the end, but it was a killer way to get the attention of the people they're targeting.
    This may be the ultimate test case for small cars in the US: proficient marketing and a great product. The only remaining variable is fuel cost. A big spike in gas prices would be the ultimate catalyst.
    Hopefully they can drum up some aftermarket support as well. I could go for a turbo party.

    1. engineerd Avatar

      The FiestaMovement was damn ballsy. Giving a car not seen on these shores before to a bunch of people and let them say whatever they want about it in the interwebs. That. Takes. Guts. Normally the release of a new vehicle and reviews are tightly controlled by the car companies. The reason why certain car mags suck (Motor Trend) is that they try to play nice to the car companies so they won't get blacklisted. Rather than let the motoring press, and it's sometimes dubious independence, be the first to review it, they gave them to normal people in the demographics they wanted to reach.
      All in all, I think it worked. I know after chatting with Didorosi and some of the other "agents" about their cars it has solidified my desire for one. Now, it is solidly in the top five of my "practical" cars list.

      1. om_nom_de_plume Avatar

        It is a brilliantly executed focus group, really.
        The cost of the Movement vehicles vs. bringing piles over and just putting them on market… Movement wins!
        Sadly, I fear no one else will try this since it is now an "old idea" and majority of marketing is doing the new things… WHICH SUCKS!!! Imagine Chevy tossing some Cruze models out, or Buick even, getting their models aimed at Lexus in the hands of people in that market for long term use and eval…
        Could they be too scared to follow in the footsteps because of quality issues? Hmmm….

        1. Age_of_Aerostar Avatar

          "Focus Group"
          hmmm, since I want a 2-door, maybe they should so something similar with the next gen Focus….. and I think you gave that promotion the perfect name already!

      2. Age_of_Aerostar Avatar

        did you speak with Natalie (Autoweek) about hers?

  4. Jeff Glucker Avatar
    Jeff Glucker

    Is that six-speed really a dual-clutch?
    snappin' off mad quick shifts in my party car yo…

  5. acarr260 Avatar

    Just drive it until the little powerplant finally quits, then switch it over to a mid-engined Fiesta sporting a Ford Motorsports 351 a la Newman's bug. Oh, that's not your idea of aftermarket support?

  6. Maymar Avatar

    I'm still disappointed I didn't get to drive one at SEMA (since I'm Canuckian, although Toyota had no problem letting me test a 4Runner), but I am looking forward to this.
    That rally setup is just what I need for my daily commute.

  7. engineerd Avatar

    I like the Fiesta. I just want to hold it, and squeeze it, and love it forever!

  8. scroggzilla Avatar

    Is Ford planning to offer a 3 door hatch?………With that tasty EcoBoost 4 and a DSG (or whatever branding vernacular Ford is using)?
    If so, I'm in.

    1. engineerd Avatar

      They did say they will have an EcoBoost 4, but not when it first goes on sale. I think it'll come a year later.

  9. Dr_Dangerously Avatar

    Mikko is such a badass

  10. Deartháir Avatar
    Deartháir

    I, for one, am just thrilled that you can see the engine. How bloody long has it been since a car-maker actually let us take a look at what was under the hood? And you know what, it's kind of a nice looking engine, even if it is a little tiny.
    So when does the model with the 4.6L V8 come out?

    1. om_nom_de_plume Avatar

      I agree and good catch, that didn't even stand out to me!
      Hold your horses on the V8, let's start with Ecoboost 6 from the SHO… mmmmm

  11. CptSevere Avatar

    Was the monster who bit the big chunk out of the white one still hanging around? Was he scary lookin'?

  12. Deloris Poette Avatar

    Evaluate & Hold your iPad for No charge! -> http://bit.ly/cFBuis