2010 Ford Fiesta Preview

Critical Knowledge:

• Subcompact, 5-door hatchback designed by Ford of Europe


• Four-door sedan version expected to debut in North American for 2010 model year


• Design is similar to Verve concept car


• Emissions technology includes new capless fuel filler


• Available USB media player and Bluetooth phone connectivity

Introduction
Back in the 1970s, American automakers were struggling to cope with a sudden demand for small cars brought on by back-to-back oil crises. One of Ford's responses was the 1978 Fiesta, a subcompact hatchback designed by Ford's European division and introduced in Europe two years earlier. The Fiesta disappeared from American showrooms after 1980, but it's been a strong seller in Europe ever since.

Thirty years later, history is about to repeat itself. Responding to high gas prices and increasing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, Ford is once again planning to bring the Fiesta across the Atlantic to North America as a 2010 model. This time, Ford plans to create a 4-door sedan version with unique styling specifically for the U.S. market, while Europe will get the Fiesta in 3- and 5-door hatchback form. (Ford is reportedly considering a hatchback version for the U.S. It's worth noting that while the Focus was available in both sedan and hatchback forms, the hatch had few takers.) Ford revealed the European version of the Fiesta hatchback at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

Exterior Design
Ford previewed the styling of the new 2010 Fiesta in the Verve concept, which was shown at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The production Fiesta hatchback looks a lot like the Verve, so it's reasonable to expect that the North American version of the Fiesta will closely resemble the Verve sedan, which features a larger upper grille and a posterior that picks up some of the cues seen on the 2008 Focus. And while Ford of Europe design language differs widely from what Ford offers in the States, certain elements such as the wedge-shaped profile and pronounced fender arches show a clear family resemblance to some of Ford's American designs.

Interior Design
Inside, the 2010 Ford Fiesta again looks very similar to the Verve concept. While the loud colors are gone, the highlight remains the futuristic looking center stack. Ford says the layout, which features a display screen at the top of the stack and control buttons below, was inspired by contemporary cell phone design. The Fiesta features redundant stereo and phone controls on the steering wheel, while the climate controls use a variation of the classic three-dial layout with buttons to control airflow direction.

Hardware
The 2010 Ford Fiesta will be offered in Europe with five different engines, including 1.25-, 1.4- and 1.6-liter gasoline-fueled, 4-cylinder models and 1.4- and 1.6-liter diesel engines, with power output ranging from 59 to 113 hp. All come with a 5-speed manual transmission; the 1.4-liter engine will offer an optional 4-speed automatic transmission. Ford has not yet announced powertrain options for the North American version of the Fiesta.

Safety
Ford did not announce a full list of safety features, but they did tout the Fiesta's use of strategically placed high-strength steel in and around the Fiesta's safety cage. Ford says the Fiesta will feature an "Intelligent Protection System" that includes a driver's knee air bag, a first for the Fiesta and an unusual find in a subcompact car.

Technology
The 2010 Ford Fiesta debuted with several features that will appeal to tech-savvy buyers, including keyless ignition with push-button starting, a capless fuel filler, voice-controlled Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port for MP3 players. No mention was made of the Ford Sync system, developed in conjunction with Microsoft, which so far has only appeared in U.S.-market Ford models.