by Bryan Redeker

The sun was shining brightly thru the hotel window, meaning it was time for me to get up and start day 2 of training. Today was the day for me, we would be learning the technical aspects of the Fiesta and then going to get our cars. All of the agents met for breakfast and began the technical training. I had many questions for Tim and Jeff concerning the Fiesta, and I knew what questions I was going to be asked from the enthusiasts. My heart began to race faster when I learned that the US Fiesta won’t be a stripped down, cheap version of the EU car. I had not even seen the EU Fiesta, but I knew it was going to better than anything Ford has made in a small car since the Focus restyle in 2005. We learned the safety features, went over the interior and exterior design philosophy, and then received our gas cards. As soon as training was done, we packed onto a bus and headed towards Alder Planetarium. All of the agents were very excited, and most were playing with their Webbie camcorders. As we got closer, Jenny and Brady handed out the keys to our cars. Soon we could see a parking lot full of cones and rows of new Fiesta’s. I envision heaven to something like that. When the bus stopped, we were told to run out into the parking lot and find our cars. By jumping inside and trying to start the cars is how we would find ours. I knew mine was Magenta without graphics, so I spotted a few in the distance with that combo. Getting off of the bus we were met by a camera crew, and all of the Ford instructors lined up giving us high-5’s as we exited. I ran quickly to the 2 magenta Fiesta’s parked together. Neither of them started. Damn, oh wait; there are two more of them over there. I ran to the next car, and it did not start. Only one Magenta one left. Sure enough, I pressed in the clutch, found the push-to-start button on the dash, and instantly the 1.6L engine came to life. I found my car! I look around and see the car is equipped with dark leather seats, beautiful bright silver trim work on the dash, and 16″ wheels. Yep, the only disappointment is the little wheels that are multi-spokes. Those are not fun to clean. Brandon and Sara show up to take a look at the car with me, and Brandon hops in to work on getting the Bluetooth working with our phones. My old Razr won’t pair, but his Blackberry will. Time for a new phone. After walking around drooling over the amazing exterior, we gathered for some last minute training before going out on the road. I was placed in the advanced driver group with two other agents, and we departed first for a trip around the grounds of the museums. I felt like I was in my second home, everything was right where I needed it to be. The shifter is a little “rubbery” compared to my short-throw Tri-X shifter in my SVT, but otherwise, I am liking this car! Few more laps around the Field Museum, and it is time to head out into the town. Couple laps around Lake Michigan Drive, once with my instructor, and I passed the driving part of the training. With training over, it is time to find Sara and Brandon with the Focus and head for home before the storms arrive.

Departing Chicago, following my SVT Focus, I realize just how good the Fiesta is. Navigating thru traffic I notice I am not having to search for where the turn signal stalk is, I am not looking for how to operate the wipers, and I don’t have any blind spots haunting me. The vast majority of cars that I get into suffer from poor placement of the controls, nothing is at my fingertips. Not so with this car, I can use my two hands to operate just about everything without even having to removing my hands from the wheel. Turning the AC off makes the car feel much more responsive, just like my 2000 ZX3 did. In fact, the Fiesta reminds me of the pure motoring joy I had with my ZX3. Not a fast car, but a quick one that handles like no other affordable car from the factory. We swapped drivers for awhile, and Brandon took his turn at the wheel. I know had a chance to see how the Fiesta looks going down the road. Stunning is how it looks! The nose is mean and aggressive, the short overhang is distinctly European, the headlights are pulled back, and the body side character line make the car look way more exotic than it really is. Everything is balanced on the exterior, nothing overdone, nothing childish, nothing arrogant. The last time I looked at a car and thought the same thing was when my 2000 ZX3 rolled of the transport and the first time I saw an Elise. Almost every car made has something for me to complain about, but the exterior of the Fiesta is perfect. Eventually, I was able to convince Brandon to stop for dinner and to get out of the Fiesta. He fell in love with the car, just as I did. We both agreed that the shifter needs to be more precise and tighter, but that is what Ford Racing is for. Usually the two of us rip cars apart after driving them. Instead of the typical “this car is crap” talk, we just sat in Taco Bell with big smiles and talked about how it is better than we could have ever imagined. I have driven Mini’s, BMW’s, Saleen’s, Viper’s, Corvette’s, WRX’s, Volvo’s, and about every Ford made since the mid 90’s. I drive the Fiesta for an hour, and realize it one of the most perfect cars I have driven. The next 6 months are going to be great!

fiestamovement #fiestamovement