Ford releases new version of the Fiesta S1600, limited to just 500 units
Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchback, Ford, UK
Another day, another hot-hatch that the United Kingdom can enjoy while thumbing their nose at our relative lack of hot-hatchitude here in the States. Ford has just announced another limited-edition run of Fiesta S1600 hatchbacks.
In 2010, Ford released a 650-car run of 118-horsepower Fiesta S1600 three-doors. A new version for 2011 uses the same engine but ups the power ante to 132 horsepower at 6,700 rpm and 118 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm.
On the outside, the Ford Fiesta S1600 receives a lower front valence, larger side sills, a rear spoiler, rear diffuser and white 17-inch alloy wheels. The car is available in Frozen White or Performance Blue and both color choices get a pair of contrasting center stripes. The S1600 gets upgraded parts on the interior as well. Leather lines the heated sports seats, handbrake cover, gear level and steering wheel.
The Ford Fiesta S1600 will be limited to just 500 units and wears a price tag of £15,895, or nearly $26,000 USD. It doesn't matter how much it costs in U.S. Dollars though because we can't buy it here. That said, feel free to read all about what you'll likely be missing in the press release after the break.
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading Ford releases new version of the Fiesta S1600, limited to just 500 units
Ford releases new version of the Fiesta S1600, limited to just 500 units originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsTanner Faust’s 2011 Ford Fiesta rallycross racer gets new livery
Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Hatchback, Ford, Racing
Tanner Foust's 2011 Ford Fiesta rallycross racer - Click above for high-res image gallery
Tanner Foust is heading to Europe, and he's bringing his new 2011 Ford Fiesta with him. The Top Gear USA co-host and wheel-man extraordinaire is going to participate in the 2011 European Rallycross Championship. The rallycross-prepped Fiesta is powered by a 600-horsepower engine whose power is routed to all four wheels.
Foust previously ran a few races during the 2010 European Rallycross season. He also competed in the inaugural U.S. Rallycross series where he finished on the podium at each event. The X Games held its own version of rally events, and Tanner Foust was able to capture a pair of gold medals for his efforts. Check out his Rockstar energy drink liveried Fiesta in our high-res gallery below.
[Source: Tanner Foust Racing]
Continue reading Tanner Faust's 2011 Ford Fiesta rallycross racer gets new livery
Tanner Faust's 2011 Ford Fiesta rallycross racer gets new livery originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsAppLink software for SYNC comes to Fiesta first, adds iPhone
Filed under: Technology, Ford
It's a good day for Ford Sync users. The Blue Oval has officially announced two big leaps forward for the company's infotainment system for smartphone users. For the first time, Apple users will find that their iPhone is now fully compatible with Sync. Previously, the system was only usable with devices that used RIM or Android operating systems. What's more, users can now control the applications on their smartphones using a hands-free, voice-operated system. So far, there are only a handful of apps that will gel with Sync voice activation, including Pandora internet radio, Stitcher news radio and OpenBeak (a Twitter client), though Ford says that there are more on the way.
The new and improved Sync will first show up in 14,000 Ford Fiesta models, though the free Sync application will eventually be equipped on every Sync-equipped Ford and Lincoln vehicle. Fiesta owners can get the ball rolling by logging into their Sync account online and pointing their browser toward the Update and Customize section of the site. Hit the jump for the full press release.
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading AppLink software for SYNC comes to Fiesta first, adds iPhone
AppLink software for SYNC comes to Fiesta first, adds iPhone originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsVW Jetta TDI tops Consumer Reports eco roundup, Honda CR-Z scores too low to recommend
Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Volkswagen, Diesel
Fuel efficiency is rapidly becoming one of the most influential determining factors when new car shoppers go looking for their next vehicle. And, as our friends at Consumer Reports correctly point out, earning top fuel efficiency marks generally means shopping in one of three categories: diesels, hybrids or subcompacts.
As such, the consumer-oriented magazine has pitted four fuel-sippers against each other in their upcoming January, 2011 issue: the 2011 Ford Fiesta, Honda CR-Z, Mazda2 and Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI. Of these four models, the Jetta is the only one that's currently Recommended - the Fiesta and Mazda2 are too new to have adequate reliability data and, though expected to be reliable, the last-place CR-Z scored too low in CR's own road testing to recommend.
CR tested two versions each of the Mazda and Ford subcompacts, one with a manual transmission and the other with an automatic. The Fiesta was ranked slightly higher than the Mazda2 overall, though the magazine seems to like both vehicles. Of the Honda, CR writes that "the ride is choppy, noise levels are high, and on-limit handling can be tricky." Couple those unfavorable traits with lower-than-expected fuel mileage of 35 mpg and limited utility, and it's understandable why CR wasn't particularly impressed with the CR-Z.
Though somewhat pricey at $27,204, the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI performed admirably, delivering 36 mpg overall and a superb 49 mpg on the highway in the hands of CR's testers. As an aside, CR also took a look at the Fuel Doctor FD-47 fuel-saving device, and rather predictably, found that it basically did nothing at all. Check out the full press release after the break, check out CR's thoughts about the CR-Z, or just wait until the January 2011 issue hits the newsstands for the complete results.
[Source: Consumer Reports]
VW Jetta TDI tops Consumer Reports eco roundup, Honda CR-Z scores too low to recommend originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSEMA 2010: Custom Ford Fiesta models invade Sin City
Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Budget, Hatchback, Ford, Design/Style
Ford Fiestas at the 2010 SEMA Show - click above for high-res image gallery
Perhaps the biggest (or smallest) champion car for Ford this year has been the 2011 Fiesta. The fizzy little sedan and hatchback duo are drawing a lot of attention to Blue Oval showrooms, and thus, Ford has a whole flock of Fiestas represented at this year's SEMA show.
A host of aftermarket tuning companies have put their touches on the pint-sized Ford - modified Fiestas from 3DCarbon, H&R Springs, Steeda Autosports and FSWerks are all on hand, just to name a few. Our favorite, though, might be the automaker's own Ford Racing Performance Parts Fiesta, powered by a modified version of FoMoCo's 2.0-liter EcoBoost four (bumped to 2.3 liters), that produces a staggering 350 horsepower. We'll take two. See the full grip of Fiestas live from Las Vegas in our high-res gallery below.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
SEMA 2010: Custom Ford Fiesta models invade Sin City originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments2010 Green Car of the Year finalists announced
Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Chevrolet, Ford, Hyundai, Lincoln, Nissan, Electric
Green Car of the Year finalists - Click above for high-res image gallery
Green Car Journal has chosen its five candidates for the 2011 Green Car of the Year Award. Competition is fierce this time around with both the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt nabbing nods. While those two have been busy snapping up headlines over the past year, the rest of the vehicles on the list are no less impressive. The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid made the cut thanks to its incredibly efficient drivetrain borrowed from the Ford Fusion Hybrid. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is bound to make an impressive showing thanks to its competent highway mileage and high-tech lithium-polymer battery pack.
Of all of the eligible vehicles, the only one without a battery pack is the lovable 2011 Ford Fiesta. While the subcompact is likely to be eclipsed by the rest of the electron-powered pack, the vehicle's 40 mpg highway is no less impressive than all of the high-tech wizardry on board the hybrids and EVs. The winner of this year's award will be announced at the 2010 LA Auto Show on November 18. Check out our gallery of the nominees below and then hit the jump for the press release.
Photos copyright (C)2010 AOL
[Source: Green Car Journal]
Continue reading 2010 Green Car of the Year finalists announced
2010 Green Car of the Year finalists announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: Who can do the better burnout, AJ Allmendinger or Ken Block?
Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Celebrities
Ken Block and AJ Allmendinger do the burnout thing - Click above to watch video after the jump
Ford has released the fifth video in its 43 Fiestas series, and this time Ken Block and AJ Allmendinger have gone head-to-head to see who can do the best burnout. As always, Richard Petty himself is on hand to oversee the festivities. While you'd think Allmendinger's ridiculous V8-powered, rear-wheel drive NASCAR beast would be the de facto champion of lighting 'em up, Block's wee rally-sped Fiesta held its own this time *ahem* around. The Gymkhana champ fell back on his signature pirouette-around-a-fixed-object move to win an approving nod from the King himself. Not too shabby.
This latest stunt is one in a series leading up to a massive prize giveaway that includes tickets to the Ford 300 Nationwide and Ford 400 NASCAR races and flat-screen televisions. Ford will also give one lucky winner the keys to a 2011 Ford Fiesta, and if the company happens to take the win at the Ford 400, it will give 43 lucky winners their own unique Fiesta. You can head over to the 43 Fiestas site for more details, and hop the jump for a look at the video.
[Source: YouTube]
Continue reading Video: Who can do the better burnout, AJ Allmendinger or Ken Block?
Video: Who can do the better burnout, AJ Allmendinger or Ken Block? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Ford Fiesta transaction prices higher than current Focus, Civic and Corolla
Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford, Earnings/Financials
2011 Ford Fiesta - Click above for high-res image gallery
With 3,050 September sales in North America, the Ford Fiesta is just now beginning to move off dealer lots. And while it's far too early to declare The Blue Oval's premium subcompact a success or failure, the folks in Dearborn have to be pleased with one crucial statistic. Car buyers driving off the dealer lot in a new Fiesta are paying a substantial premium over the handsome runt's $13,999 base price.
Bloomberg reports that the average transaction price of a Fiesta is between $3,000 and $4,000 beyond the base MSRP, or more money than customers are paying for the larger (and soon-to-depart) Ford Focus. Given the fact that the Fiesta is newer, fresher, and more heavily marketed than the Focus, we're not all that surprised, but perhaps more shocking is the fact that the Fiesta also has a higher average transaction price than the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic - both of which are class-above vehicles.
That the Fiesta is selling for premium dollar is no big surprise to Ford, as the automaker decided early on to equip the B-Segment seedling with the same top tech that is typically found in larger, more expensive fare. It helps that Ford has already experienced plenty of Fiesta success in other parts of the world, with 940,000 copies already sold to date. And in those other markets, Ford has achieved strikingly similar model mixes as what is being indicated early on in the States. The top trim Fiesta accounts for 39 percent of U.S. sales, compared to a 42 percent mix in Europe, which accounts for 85 percent of global sales.
Ford is also attracting younger, more affluent customers with an impressive 60 percent buying a Ford product for the first time. We're thinking the early returns are just about everything Dearborn was hoping for save perhaps for total volume, so we'll hold off our praise until we see if Fiesta's overall sales numbers climb now that supply issues have been sorted.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: Bloomberg]
Report: Ford Fiesta transaction prices higher than current Focus, Civic and Corolla originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsAutoblog Podcast #198 – Paris Motor Show, Lotus unveilings, Chevrolet Montana
Filed under: Concept Cars, Podcasts, Etc., Paris Motor Show, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Lotus, Nissan, Volkswagen, Electric
Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
Alex Nunez jumps in with Chris and Dan on Episode #198 of the Autoblog Podcast. The aftermath of the Paris Motor Show is a point of discussion, along with the Lotus product blitz. Moving to a completely different continent, we finish with the Chevrolet Montana before wrapping it all up by responding to some of your feedback. An hour and twenty minutes later, we're done - see you next week!
Autoblog Podcast #198 - Paris Motor Show, Lotus unveilings, Chevrolet Montana
In the Autoblog Garage:
Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
Volkswagen Jetta
Ford Fiesta
Corvette Z06
Buick Regal
News:
- Paris Auto Show recap
- Lotus shocks Paris Motor Show with five concept debuts
- 2011 Chevrolet Montana compact truck unveiled in South America
Hosts:
Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Alex Nunez
Runtime: 1:25:42
Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly
Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)
Review the show in iTunes and take our survey
Autoblog Podcast #198 - Paris Motor Show, Lotus unveilings, Chevrolet Montana originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments43 Fiestas sweepstakes kicks off with excellent NASCAR vs. Rally footage
Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Racing
Ken Block takes on AJ Allmendinger - Click above to watch video after the jump
Ford has officially lit a fire under its 43 Fiestas campaign. As you may recall, the promotion aims to hand out a raft of prizes, from 43 LCD flat-screen TVs to airfare, lodging and tickets to the Ford NASCAR 400 Sprint Cup race for 43 lucky grand-prize winners. Of those souls, one will be awarded a special Ford Fiesta, but should AJ Allmendinger happen to walk away with the checkers, everyone in the grand-prize lot will receive a new Fiesta to call their very own. That's impressive and all, but not nearly so interesting as the videos after the jump.
You see, to sell the sweepstakes, Ford enlisted the help of NASCAR legend Richard Petty, rally heathen Ken Block and AJ Allmendinger, the current pilot of the #43 NASCAR racer. What happens when the three meet on a track? Let's just say that while we weren't entirely surprised by the outcome, we're wholeheartedly in favor of this type of motorsports crossbreeding in the future.
Now let's see that 3,000-pound NASCAR bruiser fling itself down a rally stage.
[Source: 43 Fiestas]
Continue reading 43 Fiestas sweepstakes kicks off with excellent NASCAR vs. Rally footage
43 Fiestas sweepstakes kicks off with excellent NASCAR vs. Rally footage originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments