By Bryan Redeker
Now that I have driven the Fiesta for over a month, I am learning that there are a few tech features I have grown to love. Probably my most favorite tech feature is the Bluetooth connectivity with my phone. I can take care of phone conversations while driving without having to hold the phone to my ear or have a silly earpiece. Now that I have a phone that can be connected to the Fiesta, I find that I use the hands free feature every time I am in the car. The second favorite feature is the keyless starting and entry. No more fumbling around trying to dig the keys out to unlock the car. I just press the black button the door handle, and the door unlocks. This works the best when you are trying to load stuff in the trunk, and don’t have to dig out the key fob to release the hatch. Since getting used to the keyless starting, I find myself reaching for the button to shut off our Escape, which still uses the key. If only our house had keyless entry, then I would be all set! Another thing I really like is that the front and rear wipers do a single sweep when you first use them after engine start. This is brilliant! A single movement on the wiper stalk runs both wipers and gets me clean glass front and rear. The programming on the automatic headlights is also very well done. Our Escape turns on and off the lights constantly at dusk, while the Fiesta turns the lights on and leaves them on for an extended period of time. There is also a nice light on the dash to let you know the automatic lights have turned on. If only the fog lamps would turn on with the headlights. The least used tech feature in the Fiesta has to be the voice activated commands. I am more of a hands-on kind of guy rather than a dictate to others. I am perfectly capable of setting the temperature with my hands. Overall, the car is still performing excellent and exceeds all of my expectations. As long as the US car is like the one I am driving, Ford will have a winner!
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090529/CARNEWS/905299987
“Called the B-segment, or B-class, cars in this classification are small, usually entry-level rides. The Toyota Yaris, the Honda Fit, and the Ford Fiesta are examples. […] Small cars–which usually are priced cheaper–have been a challenge for U.S. automakers to build profitably in their home countries.”
Well, if Autoweek think the Fiesta is an cheap entry-level car then you still have a long way to go to convince people otherwise 🙁
““Small cars represent one of the fastest-growing segments in both the U.S. and around the world,” GM president and CEO Fritz Henderson said in a statement. “We believe this car will be a winner with our current and future customers in the U.S.””
Oh, they’re soooo confident there at GM! Let’s see if they can beat the Fiesta. Seeing their track record, I personally doubt it.
I would highly doubt GM could make anything to compare to the Fiesta, however, looking at the latest pics of the US Fiesta, it may not take much. A cancerous chrome grille can be spotted between the headlights, along with more changes that move it away from its EU roots. Hoping that it doesn’t become another watered-down excuse for a world car. Looking at the spy pics, Autoweek may be right.
Hmmm… compare
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/fiestafourdoor_spy002.jpg
to
http://img.autohome.com.cn/upload/spec/4846/u_4846669309715.jpg
and I’d say, it just needs a bit of metallic paint, some polishing and matching door trim (either black or chrome), and you’re 99% there.
Of course, ‘your’ Fiesta is the top of the line Titanium, which is about $3000 over a standard one — check the UK Ford website!
The basic Euro-Fiesta doesn’t have chrome, no fog lights, no rear spoiler, black headlamps, and that’s just the outside.
http://www.ford.co.uk/Hidden/SidebySideFiesta/dei1=1204919790075
So that’s not bad to have a budget entry-level model, just wish for the complete upgrade package! That’s what makes the Fiesta set apart from the rest!
ps. the grille was already shown on the Verve concept, so no surprise there either.
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/verve_det_450-op.jpg
http://images34.fotki.com/v1079/photos/9/9586/39890/VerveConcept_27-vi.jpg
This example doesn’t look too bad. And it has blinkers in the mirrors.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=CW&Date=20090410&Category=CARNEWS&ArtNo=410009997&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=3
Appologies for ‘spamming’ again, but here’s an even better look at the US spec Fiesta
http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-fiesta-sedan.html
(the May 11th one, of course).
Let me introduce me to you: I’m Marc, living in Holland — the original European one! I’ve been driving a Fiat barchetta (think: Miata, Z3) for the last 14 years as a daily driver. Before that I had a ’88 mk2 Ford Fiesta for 4 years – 3 of it as convertible! And before that 2 years in a tiny Daihatsu.
My dad has driven Fords for the last 40 years or so, big and small. Currently he drives the mini-SUV version of the previous Euro Fiesta, called Fusion (so not your full size sedan of the same name).
Also I have lots of relatives living in the US. So that’s why I’m following the US Fiesta with great interest!