Ford's new challenger for the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship, the all-new Fiesta RS World Rally Car, made its first global public appearance at the Paris Motor Show today. The Fiesta RS WRC will make its competition debut in Rally Sweden, the opening round of the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship, on 10 - 13 February. For Paris, the preview model has been finished in a striking blue and grey livery, specially developed for the show by Ford of Europe's design team. The new World Rally Car, derived from the best-selling Fiesta road car, is being developed by Ford of Europe and its rally partner M-Sport.
The Ford Fiesta reached two important milestones in July, celebrating its 35th birthday with a total of 15 million cars produced worldwide.
The Ford Fiesta reached the 15 million production landmark this month, a figure boosted by the popularity of the latest generation model. Ford has built a million of the current model since it debuted 28 months ago.
Hot on the heels of the launch of the new Focus ST, Ford
Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) can confirm its smaller sibling the
new Fiesta ST is destined for local shores in the first half of 2013.
FORD SAYS: One year after its debut, more than half a million customers have purchased the new Ford Fiesta, marking an important milestone as Ford Motor Company prepares to bring the fuel-efficient, global car to the US and other key Asian Pacific markets next year.
The new Fiesta, the first in a wave of stylish vehicles being brought to world-wide markets under the ONE Ford plan, went on sale in Germany in October 2008. It quickly became the second-best-selling car for all markets in Europe and the leader in the European small car segment. The new Fiesta has also been a key driver behind Ford of Europe's market share gains, which are up 0.5 percentage points this year through September to 9.2%, the highest since 1999.
After its European introduction, the Fiesta was launched in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and China. Global retail sales of the car reached 470 000 units through September of this year, with 430 000 sales in Europe and 40 000 in the Asia Pacific region. Continued strong demand for Fiesta through October has pushed the total number beyond 500 000. In South Africa, Fiesta is the third best performing B-segment vehicle sold through the dealer network and continuously appears in the top ten passenger car sales.
"Customers around the world are recognizing the new Fiesta delivers on the global Ford DNA — eye-catching design, innovation, outstanding driving dynamics and great value," said Jim Farley, group vice president of global marketing and Canada, Mexico and South America.
The new Fiesta will make its North American debut when it is revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December. Set to arrive in North American dealer showrooms next summer, the Fiesta already can claim more than 50 000 potential U.S. customers thanks to the Fiesta Movement, a social media initiative in which 100 young trendsetters are test driving and living with a European-spec Ford Fiesta for six months.
Customers so far have been drawn to higher end models of the Fiesta, with more than 40% of European buyers choosing the Titanium and Ghia trim levels. The variety of colours that Fiesta offers is also proving to be a hit.
So far this year customers in the UK and Germany, Ford of Europe's two largest markets, drive off in a "Panther Black" Fiesta more than any other colour. Drivers in Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands and Greece are also among those countries that favour black.
However, buyers in Spain, Austria and Russia are selecting "Hot Magenta" as their top colour. The Scandinavian countries are setting a pattern all their own. The Swedes select "Moondust Silver" most often. Norwegians favour "Hot Magenta." Denmark goes with "Panther Black," while the Finns tilt toward "Tango."
Top choices among China buyers are "Passion Orange" and "Winning Blue." But throughout Asia Pacific overall, the top-selling colour is "Moondust Silver," with South African's also favouring "Frozen White" while Australians go for "Panther Black" in nearly equal numbers.
When the Fiesta hits American shores next year it will feature bold colour choices, including "Bright Magenta” and "Lime Squeeze.”
Ford today revealed the dynamic new version of
the best-selling Fiesta that features a sharper design and a host of exclusive
technology features. The new Fiesta will be on stage tomorrow in
Amsterdam at Ford’s special “Go Further” product event hosted by Ford President
and CEO Alan Mulally and attended by 2 500 dealers.
FORD SAYS: Ford Motor Company announced today that it is teaming up with Ken Block, the California-based action sports icon-turned-rally driver, for future global motorsports opportunities.
Block, the 2005 Rally America Rookie of the Year and a three-time medalist at X Games, has cultivated a tremendous following with his Gymkhana videos on YouTube. In 2010, Block will campaign a Ford Focus in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and a Ford Fiesta in Rally America and X Games.
Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen won the legendary Monte Carlo Rally in the new M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 rally car after leading from start to finish on its competitive debut.
Ford's official FIA World Rally Championship team drivers mastered treacherous winter conditions in the mountains of southern France to reach the finish at Monaco's famous harbour with a 1min 51.4sec advantage.
The Fiesta S2000 has been developed by Ford's rally partner, M-Sport, and the five-day Monte Carlo Rally offered the toughest of debuts. However, the car never missed a beat over 405.01km of competition, to provide a perfect start to the 2010 campaign for Hirvonen and Lehtinen.
The new Ford Fiesta is the product of Ford’s global product development process and marks the beginning of a new era for Ford. The Fiesta comes to South African shores just weeks after its international debut with a choice of three engine derivatives and three trim levels.
“The new Fiesta is a landmark model for Ford,” explains Ben Pillay, Ford Marketing Manager. “It is the first product to be introduced under the ‘One Ford’ vision of a single, global company building and designing cars for a single global audience. It’s Ford's most significant project since the Model T and heralds the future for Ford product development.”
The new Fiesta will be introduced with a choice of three powertrains: a 1.4-litre petrol, 1.6-petrol and 1.6-litre turbo diesel. The updated 1.4-litre petrol motor has a maximum output of 71kW at 5 750rpm and a maximum torque output of 125Nm at 4 500rpm. As with all the Fiesta models fuel consumption is frugal with a combined cycle consumption of 5.9 litres/100km.
The introduction of the new Fiesta also sees the introduction of a 1.6-litre Duratec Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT) petrol engine to the range. The new motor produces 88kW at 6000rpm and has a torque peak of 149Nm at 4250rpm. Despite its feisty character the 1.6-litre petrol engine obtains a claimed combined cycle fuel consumption measuring in at 5.9 litres/100km.
The state-of-the-art common-rail Duratorq TDCi engine features new technologies, enhanced fuel economy, lower CO2 emissions and improved performance. The diesel motor serves up 66kW at 4 000rpm and has a torque peak of 200Nm at just 1 500rpm. The average fuel consumption on the combined cycle is just 4.2 litres/100km.
The new Fiesta will be offered in a choice of either 5-door or 3-door body styles with three specification levels on offer: the entry level 'Ambiente', the 'Trend' and the top of the range 'Titanium'.
The Ambiente model offers a warm, inviting cabin, and features a light contrast instrument panel. Despite being the entry level model, the Ambiente offers an extensive array of features including a radio/CD with 6 speakers, air conditioning, power steering, front-operated power windows, steering wheel audio controls, tinted windows, rear fog lamps and a headlamp delay feature.
The exterior styling features include body colour bumpers and a rear spoiler, self colour door and lift gate handles as well as 15” steel wheels. Safety is also of the highest standard with dual airbags, a driver belt reminder, ABS with EBD and a centre high mounted stop lamp providing peace of mind.
The Trend series takes inspiration from designer clothing to emphasise a contemporary feel. In addition to the features already found on the Ambiente model, the Trend series boasts features such as heated power mirrors with integrated indicators, remote central locking with two flip keys, illuminated double locking, rear electric windows and a Bluetooth vehicle interface with voice control. Body colour door handles, front and rear mud flaps and 15” alloy wheels further enhance the exterior appearance.
The top of the range Titanium model employs high contrast finishes for a sleek, technical appearance, inspired by premium technology brands. Aesthetic lighting, map reading lamp and trip computer further enhance the dynamic appeal of the Titanium series. As do the exterior styling cues that include chrome accents, 16” alloy wheels, halogen projector headlamps, front fog lamps with chrome bezel and a partial body kit that includes a bumper grille and rear spoiler. A sport body kit with 16” alloy wheels, an ICE (In Car Entertainment) audio and Bluetooth system with voice control and a USB jack further enhance the dynamic appeal of the Titanium series. In three door body style the Titanium model benefits from the addition of a full body kit.
Designers focused strongly on the handling characteristics in the new Fiesta. The Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) replaces the traditional hydraulic power-assist system of the previous-generation Fiesta. Extensive effort was devoted to detailed tuning of the Fiesta’s EPAS system to ensure that it delivers precise steering feedback.
Safety was another key focal point for the design team. Designers used high-strength steel extensively throughout the car to create a very strong body structure protecting occupants in the event of a collision. The Fiesta is also about 10 percent stiffer torsionally than its predecessor.
Dual front airbags for driver and passenger are available on all derivatives, three-point safety belts are on offer for all passengers while the front safety belts feature dual-stage digressive load-limiting pretensioners. Furthermore all Fiesta models are equipped with ABS brakes with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution).
Mzansi consumers can rest easy with a comprehensive 4yr / 120 000km warranty and 4 yr / 60 000km service plan in place. Service intervals are staggered at 20 000km intervals for the petrol derivative and 15 000km for the diesel models.
The Ford Fiesta Ambiente TDCi manual has been named the most
fuel efficient car in South Africa following this weekend’s Total Economy Run.
Driven by Stuart Greig and Wynand Gerber the Fiesta used just 4.485 litres per
100km, to claim the overall and Class L laurels.
Ford is setting its sights high in the coming
year, getting ready to unleash a raft of new vehicles that offer head-turning
style, fuel-efficient engines and smart technologies.
The sleek and stylish Ford Fiesta just got an extra dose of
flair with the introduction of the Limited Edition Fiesta Magnet. Just 75
models will go on sale in November, but dealers will already start taking
orders for the special model.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, 19 July 2009 РAs a two-time World Rally Champion, Marcus Gr̦nholm had seen just about everything in a rally course...until he came to Pikes Peak.
Grönholm drove his production based Ford Fiesta rallycross car, prepared by Olsbergs Motor Sport Evolution, to second in the ‘Unlimited Class’ and fifth fastest time overall at the 87th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at Colorado Springs in the United States yesterday (Sunday). Grönholm captured Pikes Peak 'Rookie of the Year' honours as he posted a run of 11min 28.963sec up the 12.4-mile, 156-turn course which runs up the famous Pikes Peak Highway.
Grönholm fought not only the high altitude and diverse road and weather conditions on the famed course, which climbs from around 2800 metres to just over 4200 metres at an average rate of ascent of seven per cent, but also a mechanical issue with the turbo charger on his 800-horsepower Fiesta rallycross car which resulted in a power reduction during the crucial final climb to the top.
"I always wanted to compete at Pikes Peak,” said Grönholm. "Having been here over the last week I have to admit that it is one of the most challenging events I have ever done in my career. This is one of those events that you will want to tell people that you came and competed in.
"I had heard about Pikes Peak and seen the famous film shot on the mountain with Ari Vatanen 20 years ago, but only when you come here do you realise how much of a challenge it is.
"The handling of the Fiesta is absolutely fantastic, and the BF Goodrich tires were great. Unfortunately we had a few small problems on the run today. I lost some power during the last few kilometres, but I was determined to finish. The Fiesta has huge potential, and could beat the 10-minute record. If I come back I know what we need to do to be fastest," added the 41-year-old Finn.
"While it is still a year until the new Ford Fiesta comes to America it was a great opportunity to showcase the versatility and performance capabilities of the car at one of the most challenging motorsports events in the world," said Jost Capito, Ford Motor Company Director of Global Motorsports Business Development. "The Olsbergs MSE team did an outstanding job competing at Pikes Peak for the first time and now they have an opportunity to campaign their Fiestas at the X Games (30 July - 2 August)."
In Europe, the Fiesta name has long been synonymous with outstanding driving quality, design and value. The all-new Ford Fiesta is set to bring that three-decade heritage to North American consumers when the car goes on sale there next year.
4 December 2009 – Ford's FIA World Rally Championship runners-up, Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen, will drive the all-new Ford Fiesta S2000 rally car, in what will be its competitive debut, in the famous Monte Carlo Rally early next year.
The Finns will use the five-day rally as a key part of their preparation for the 2010 WRC, which starts in February, while showcasing the exciting Fiesta S2000 rally car for the first time in competition. The car has been developed by Ford's rally partner, M-Sport, and made its first appearance as a safety car in November's Rally of Scotland which, like the Monte Carlo Rally, is not part of the FIA World Rally Championship.
