Product Reviews Net » Ford Fiesta

Ford 3-cylinder engine: Improving Fiesta, Focus fuel economy

Peter Chubb — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 09:23:24 +0000

Who would have thought that one day we would see a Ford 3-cylinder engine make it to production? Well it seems that the Blue Oval is improving fuel economy for the Fiesta and Focus. They will both get this smaller 1-liter engine, which will also come with EcoBoost and an 8-speed transmission. We should expect to see the new powerplant in production models in the next couple of years.

Ford had not announced which models will get the new 3-cylinder engine, but The Detroit Free Press believes that the Fiesta and the Focus are the most likely candidates. However, it seems that it will only be available for the U.S. models for now; at least it is good to see the country slowly moving away from those huge engines that drink the fuel like it was going out of fashion.

Having said that, the three-cylinder engine has been in the European market for sometime – although not any by Ford. We can still expect this new engine to be available throughout the world in the coming years, and it will be expected to produce as much power as a standard 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. What makes this so special is that it will not only be more fuel-efficient but also lighter as well.

It is not only down to weight though; the 8-speed transmission also helps to improve efficiency, as each gear change is done with almost seamless shifts. It does seem as though Ford still has a few tricks up its sleeves to offer an alternative to the hybrid.

More About: Ford, Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus

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American Cars With European Flair: Ford Leads Market

Peter Chubb — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:26:35 +0000

In the past when you have been asked your opinion on American cars, there are two things that come to mind, not great styling and poor fuel economy. However, things have been slowly changing for the better, and instead of looking to Asia, the U.S has now started to follow the European way of car styling by giving their vehicles flair.

James R. Healey from USA Today made a valid point when he said, “Europe is five years” ahead when it comes to most aspects of a vehicle. What he means by this is not putting an emphasis on big powerful engines, but rather how a car looks and offering greater fuel-efficiency. The 2011 Detroit Auto Show is proof of that.

One auto company leading the way is Ford, they have certainly taken the fight to their rivals by offering U.S. drivers what the Europeans have had for some time. Two cars that come to mind is the Fiesta and the Focus; yes the latter has been available to the U.S. for some time, but the design was very different to the European version.

All that has changed now, as the current U.S. spec Fiesta has the same look and feel of the one that those in the UK have been driving, and the new Focus will be released in North America and Europe at the same time, which is a first. Other American carmakers have slowly started to do the same, but it is only GM who is able to use their European franchise for design flairs, as they still own Opel and Vauxhall.

Do you prefer European styling over U.S.?

More About: Ford, Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus

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2011 Ford Fiesta Sync AppLink: iPhone Support

Peter Chubb — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 09:42:18 +0000

Owners of the new 2011 Ford Fiesta will be pleased to know that the Ford Sync AppLink is now available for BlackBerry and Android handsets. However, those with an iPhone will have to wait until next year before the app becomes available to them. Now you will be able to control Pandora with your voice.

Engadget says that downloading is easy, and once done can be transferred to your system with the use of a USB stick. This certainly shows how far technology has come in the past few years. When it comes to this kind of technology Ford believes that they are in front of their rivals, the idea of controlling a number of features of your car with your smartphone is certainly an appealing feature.

We are not certain why Ford has taken so long to offer iPhone support – but better late than never I would say. This new app will allow you to control apps on your iPhone by using voice control on the Ford Sync AppLink system, making it much safer while driving.

ZDNET adds that this is Ford’s latest effort to bringing complete “mobile connectivity into the car”, and with all three major iOS systems they will be on their way to achieving just that. What other features in the car would you like to see controlled by voice?

More About: apple iphone, Ford Fiesta, Ford SYNC

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Ford Rally Kit For Fiesta: Components At SEMA 2010

Peter Chubb — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 10:02:46 +0000

Just under a month ago we informed you that Ford Racing was to show off their Fiesta at SEMA 2010. We now have details that there is to be a rally conversion kit as well; all of the components will be there for you to salivate over.

This rally conversion-kit will be known as R2, and is for use on the 2011 Fiesta 4-door hatchback. The kit has been developed in conjunction with M-Sport and will be made available via Team O’Neil Motorsports. There are a number of upgrades in this package, so let us see what you get.

The first thing that you will notice is the 40hp increase, so you now have 168hp at your disposal. This does not seem much, but just remember how small and light the Fiesta is? There is also a stage 1 kit; this will offer other modificatins that the standard kit does not, such as other upgrades to the engine, limited-slip differential and more.

According to NY Times, there are no pricing details as yet, but we are certain that Ford will offer more details during SEMA 2010. How much would you be willing to pay?

More About: Ford, Ford Fiesta, SEMA 2010

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2010 SEMA Show: Ford Racing’s Fiesta

Daniel Chubb — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 22:00:28 +0000

With the SEMA show just round the corner, Ford has decided to hit us with eight custom spec Fiesta concepts. To give us an idea as to what can be achieved with the little hatch, one concept will display an iPad in the centre console, much like the iPad connectivity from BMW that we recently reported on. Another special will demonstrate a list of suspension upgrades including springs, shocks and strut-braces.

But the one that has caught our eye is the 345bhp Ford Racing-development model. Taking centre stage at the las Vegas Convention Centre, the high performance model pushes out it’s ludicrous horsepower, from its bored out 2.0-litre Ecoboost engine. With a capacity of 2.3-litres this hot-hatch benefits from, twin centre mounted exhausts, large Brembo brakes and high quality Ohlins suspension components.

Style wise a large rear wing adorns the rear hatch matched by a lower front splitter and 17-inch alloys.

When the SEMA show starts on November 2nd we hope to bring you more information about Fords Fiesta concepts. Until then check Autocar for more pictures of this scorching new Fiesta.

More About: 2010 SEMA Show, Ford Fiesta

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iPad App Released For Ford Fiesta

Daniel Chubb — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 14:48:41 +0000

Times are changing, it seems that virtually everything that we do in our day to day lives has been taken over with some sort of electronic assistance. Its seems now that there is an app for everything, whether its from important things like checking your bank account, down to the not so important things like seeing what drinking games you can get up to with your mates.

But now app’s have moved into the car showrooms, with Ford leading the way with the first interactive sales brochure for its latest Fiesta.

Only for the iPad, Apple has released an app that allows you to see information about the new model, its safety features, trim levels, exterior colours and other optional extras. Downloadable from iTunes app store the interactive Fiesta app can provide you with all the information that you would normally get from the showroom pamphlet.

In Ford’s press release the auto manufacturer says that with more than 3 million iPads sold since its release, there is no better opportunity than to create an aid for customer looking to purchase their next vehicle. By releasing the app Ford hopes to reach out to its customers in a new interactive way.

Give us your views on the growing trend of app’s, and for Fords full press release hit the link below.

Source: Autoblog

More About: Ford Fiesta, iPad App

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Win a Ford Fiesta: Designed by American Idol Finalists

Peter Chubb — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:39:14 +0000

American Idol has now passed the audition stage and we are now down to the 12 finalists. You may be wondering what this has to do with our autos section – well Fox has teamed up with Ford Motor Co. to allow AI contestants to design their own Fiesta for one lucky viewer to win.

The 12 American Idol finalists have been working with four Ford designers to come up with a unique design, this is all part of the – Ford Music Video Challenge. The winner will win one of the Ford Fiestas that you can see on Autoblog.

The winner of the grand prize will get to choose what design they like best, as well as tickets to the AI final. Looking at the designs they are certainly unique – so no chance that someone else will be driving around in one.
The competition runs from March 17 to May 21, 2010 – those who enter have to be 18 and older.

For more details visit www.americanidol.com/ford/challenge The Ford Fiesta has taken the U.S. by storm since debuting at the LA Auto Show back in December.

More About: Ford Fiesta

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