“Up until now the Ford Abu Dhabi Team Fiesta RS WRCs have simply featured the Ford logo,” said Will May, Motorsport Marketing Manager for Ford of Europe. “So we’re inviting our Facebook followers to vote for one of several designs we’ve developed under one theme – which is ‘the food that fuels you’."
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Designed by the engineering team at Ford’s Dunton Technical Centre in the U.K., the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine promises to deliver performance of a larger four-cylinder unit with even higher fuel economy. It employs all EcoBoost technologies, such as turbocharging, direct injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT).
While we're eagerly awaiting for Ford to introduce a range-topping ST or even better, an RS version of the new Fiesta hatchback that is bound to hit U.S. shores in early 2010, the automaker announced the availability of new performance kit developed by Mountune, the firm's official UK-based tuning house. Offered through selected Ford dealers in the UK, the Mountune kit for the 1.6-litre versions of the new Fiesta Zetec-S and Titanium models includes mechanical as well as cosmetic upgrades.
The engine kit that costs £1,299 (plus fitting) consists of a high-flow air induction system, a high performance exhaust including high-flow catalyst and tubular manifold, and re-calibration of Ford's 1.6-litre Duratec Ti-VCT.
The upgrades result to an output of 140HP at 6,750rpm and 170Nm of torque at 4,250rpm, compared to 120HP and 152NM for the standard engine. As a result, 0-60 mph (96 km/h) acceleration time is reduced to a welcome 7.9 seconds from the standard engine's 9.9 seconds.
For those that would like to accompany the engine upgrades with some visual flair, Mountune also offers a bodykit with a front lip spoiler, side skirts, a rear wing, a rear diffuser incorporating the twin tailpipes, yellow decals and mirror caps, and a set of blacked out alloy wheels with bright-yellow rings.
Developed by Mountune Performance in association with Ford Team RS, the upgrade package will only be available at selected specialist Ford dealers in Britain from March 2009. As you may have already guessed, the upgrades come with a minimum of 12 months/12,000-mile dealer warranty and do not affect the original vehicle warranty.
In recent years, Bavarian car tuner Loder1899 focused on dressing up products from the Ford Group lineup. Their latest creation is a styling kit for the all-new Ford Fiesta hatchback that includes a front lip spoiler, side skirts and a rear apron with an integrated diffuser housing the four tailpipes of the stainless-steel exhaust system. The package is complemented by a lowering kit (-35mm) and a set of 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 205/40 R17 tires or alternatively, 18-inch alloys in 215/35R18 tires.
Aimed at those who are searching for a frugal and versatile city car with a dash of cargo carrying ability, Ford of Europe has released the all-new Fiesta Van and SportVan models. Compared to the standard Fiesta, the rear side windows have been replaced by body-colored solid panels while the rear passenger seats have been removed to provide a load box area of 1,000 cubic liters, with a maximum useable load length of 1,296mm, as well as a maximum load box width of 1,278mm and a height of up to 806mm.
Depending on the version, the Fiesta SportVan features a payload range from 490kg to 515kg (1,080 - 1,135 lbs).
The new Fiesta Van is available in Europe with a choice of three engines, a 1.25-litre 82HP petrol unit and two diesels, a 1.4-litre 68HP TDCi and the top-of-the-range 1.6-litre 90HP TDCi turbo diesel that equips the SportVan model. The latter adds a dash of sportiness as it comes with an aerokit that includes high intake front grille, rear bumper and rear spoiler, 16-inch alloy wheels, sport seats, ESP/ Traction control, and a sports tuned suspension.
Fiesta Van feature specification:
Fiesta Van Trend features in addition to Fiesta Van:
Standard features of Fiesta SportVan in addition to Fiesta Van Trend:
Well, we'll be damned; Ford has just made a move that actually makes sense as the company announced today its plans to hand out 100 European-spec Fiestas to a selected group of consumers from across the USA as part of an extensive pre-launch awareness campaign in advance of the small car's 2010 North American market launch. Under its "Fiesta Movement" programme, Ford will choose 100 customers to drive the new Fiesta and then relate their experiences through social networking sites such as Facebook, FlickR and YouTube.
In order to participate in the programme, you have to be a U.S. citizen over 21. Those interested will have to create a 2-5 minute video explaining the reasons why you should get in the list, upload it to your YouTube account, add the tag "fiestamovement" and submit the link. For more info head over to Ford's dedicate microsite here.
The one-hundred Fiestas involved in the programme will be five-door variants equipped with Ford of Europe's 1.6-litre Ti-VCT petrol engine that delivers an output of 120HP.
The North American version of the new Fiesta will be built at Ford's Cuautitlan plant in Mexico. Sales in the U.S. will begin in 2010.
