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Review: 2011 Ford Fiesta
 
Welcome back to the era of the small car. With gas prices surely to be on the rise and a wave of environmentalism taking over the known world, the large SUV and sedan might be a thing of the past. So, welcome to the future and the 2011 Ford Fiesta. Don’t let the name fool you; this Fiesta isn’t the old hatchback that everybody loved to hate. Instead, this Fiesta is a European designed two-door, four-door, or five-door vehicle that will be headed to showrooms this summer. Ford offers three trim levels, the SE, SES and the SEL, making the new Fiesta perfect for everyone. Thanks to Ford for the chance to drive this car months before it hits the showrooms. Like Kia is doing with the Soul and Mazda is doing with the upcoming Mazda2, Ford is hoping to capitalize on the higher gas prices and young adults that don’t find the Scion cool anymore. Designed to compete with the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Scion xA, and the Nissan Versa, the little Ford manages to hold its own against its rivals. Hit the jump for the full review of the 2011 Ford Fiesta. Full story Videos: Ford’s new marketing campaign for the Fiesta is "a pretty big deal"
Ford’s marketing campaign for the 2011 Fiesta is gaining steam with the Fiesta Movement, a social media effort by the Blue Oval to drum up interest for their new hatchback. What started well over a year ago with social media advertising is now moving into a new and more traditional print and broadcast phase with the first installment set to air tonight during American Idol. If you’re suffering from short-term memory loss, we’ll remind you that the ’movement’ already began with last week’s rather unusual and hilarious Fiesta vs Lamborghini throwdown where the Fiesta displayed what makes it a "pretty big deal" when lined up against a Lambo. The whole "pretty big deal" angle takes its cue from the Fiesta’s all-around capability and a pupu platter of new features including the seven airbags, push-button start, heated leather seats, SYNC, and the 40 mpg highway fuel economy. It goes without saying that the new Fiesta is more than just Ford’s little hatchback. The company is being ultra aggressive in promoting the car as a premium hatch instead of the base model unit for those looking for affordability and fuel-efficiency in a car which may be what some people think. Despite the ’premium-ness’ of the Fiesta, the car is still pretty pedestrian - that’s a great thing - in terms of the price tag: $15,700. There’s a boatload of videos for you to watch with all of them pointing out one thing. The new Ford Fiesta may be small in stature, but, in the words of Ford, "it’s a pretty big deal". Video-fest after the jump Full story Lamborghini Gallardo takes on...a Ford Fiesta?
No, we haven’t completely lost our minds, although, at this point, we’ve come to grips with the fact that people will put just about any two cars together in an effort to determine which car is more, shall we say, ’fun to drive’. Ford seems to think that their new Fiesta is so much more fun to drive that they’ve decided to compare it against a Lamborghini Gallardo. Okay, we’ll allow the time to type this one sentence so you can laugh.... Now, before you begin questioning the whole point of comparing a Fiesta to a Gallardo - trust us, we did it ourselves - you need to understand the circumstances surrounding how something so egregious could actually make some sense - little as it may be. And to do the whole convincing, we’ll let Brittani Taylor - she’s an actress, by the way - take the floor and tell you why a Fiesta trumps a Gallardo in just about everything, except for straight-line speed, that is. The 2011 Ford Fiesta celebrates Cinco de Mayo on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
 It would be simply moronic if Ford did not take advantage of Cinco de Mayo to market the 2011 Ford Fiesta. The word “fiesta” itself stands for “party” and Cinco de Mayo is the perfect opportunity to throw a Mexican fiesta and show off the Ford Fiesta’s fun-filled style. The 2011 Ford Fiesta will be joining the cast of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” as Guillermo, the show’s parking lot security guard, starts up his own dance troupe, shuts down Hollywood Boulevard, and dances his butt off. This extravagant display of party-making madness is the result of a dream where Eric Estrada tells Guillermo to pull off this unique performance. The Fiesta is ready to get to get its groove on with its 15 class-exclusive features and technologies and projected best-in-class highway fuel economy. We just can’t wait to see what Jimmy Kimmel has in store for the “versatile, personal, and adaptable” small car. The bit will air tonight at 12:05a.m. on ABC, but there’s always a way to get a sneak peek at what is going to happen, so hit the jump for a video that prepares the viewer for the hilarity that’s to come. Full story Ford and the University of Michigan team up for in-car cloud-computing
It’s apparent that we are fighting a war in regards to distracted driving. Lately, it seems that many people are concerned with texting while driving, using the phone while driving, and any other technological distraction that may come across our vehicles. As this portion of the world battles the use of devices in vehicles, the other portion is funding research, developing devices, and utilizing these devices in their vehicles. Take Ford, for example. The Ford Research and Advanced Engineering team has initiated a 12 week course called Cloud Computing in the Commute at the University of Michigan as a part of their “American Journey 2.0” which is “a joint open innovation research project involving Microsoft and Intel, offering students the chance to innovate the future of the in-car experience”. Translation: Fund courses to have kids think up our next technological breakthrough for us and if they come up with something cool not only will we utilize it and make money, but the kids will be so excited about the concept they will soak up all of the technology we throw at them leading us to make more money. We understand the need for technology and we think all of these devices and programs are really cool, but we need to get to a happy medium with this whole “distracted driving” thing. It’s exhausting trying to keep up. Hit the jump for the full story including the design ideas thought up by the amazing students at the University of Michigan. Full story 2010 Ford Fiesta by Funkmaster Flex
 The Ford Fiesta will be receiving a tuning package done by none other than American hip hop DJ, singer, rapper, musician, and producer, Funkmaster Flex. No, it’s not that weird. Flex has actually been involved with many television shows involving cars such as Spike’s “Ride with Funkmaster Flex” and “Fast Machines with Funkmaster Flex”. His latest car show, however, is MTV’s ’Funk Flex Full Throttle’ which premieres on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 2p.m. “Ford has had a partnership with Funkmaster Flex that dates back to 2005 which allows us to become a part of Flex’s world and connect with today’s young urban consumers in a way that is most relevant to them,” said Crystal Worthem, manager, Multicultural Marketing. “Being able to incorporate the Fiesta into a show that will allow us to continue to highlight the customization potential of this vehicle by someone who is an authority when it comes to vehicle customization is exciting for us.” The Ford Fiesta won’t be in the first episode, but will appear in one of the following episodes where it will receive a custom tuning package designed by the creative master. The package will include custom body kit, wheels, tires, a lowering kit, a Funkmaster Flex signature two-tone paint job, and a custom interior. That’s not all; the customized Ford Fiesta will be given away to a viewer as part of the Funk Flex Full Throttle Giveaway. Check out the full story and press release after the jump. Full story 2010 Ford Fiesta S1600
A new hatchback will be rocking its sporty side soon as Ford revealed a new special edition Fiesta, based on the Zetec-S model, for the UK market (of course). The new Fiesta S1600 will be limited to only 650 units and will be priced at £16,665. The Fiesta S1600 will be distinguished by a number of motorsport details including a unique front bumper with flared lower valence panel, extended side skirts, large rear spoiler and rear diffuser, finished with 17" white alloy wheels (16-in on diesel models). This special edition will be painted in Frozen White or Performance Blue, with contrasting motorsport stripes. On the interior, the Fiesta will get heated, stitched leather sports seats with standard side-airbags, leather steering wheel, handbrake cover, and gearknob, plus Motorsport-branded floor mats and scuff plates. The Ford Fiesta S1600 will be offered with a 1.6-litre, 120PS Duratec Ti-VCT petrol engine, or improved 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engine with 95PS. Ford has also announced that their tuning partner, Mountune, will be adding an exquisite engine upgrade package although details have yet to be revealed on that option. Press release after the jump. Full story Video: Ken Block teases 2011 Ford Fiesta Gymkhana 3
We swear there’s a car somewhere in the midst of all that smoke. You can actually see it too - or at least, glimpses of it - at the tail end of the video. As far as catching the real deal up close and personal, we’re going to have to wait a little while longer when Monster World Rally, together with rally ace Ken Block, unveils the Gymkhana 3 2011 Ford Fiesta today at Taverna Aventine in San Francisco. Be sure to check back in a few hours for the official details of Block’s new toy, the Gymkhana 3. 2010 Ford Fiesta Sensation Edition
The Arena Sensation - the eleventh stage of the ultimate Dutch dance event-will be held on July 3 in Amsterdam. For those of you who just remembering reading the word Amsterdam, you know who you are, go back and read the full sentence again. This is important information because Ford has used this event as their muse for the new special edition Fiesta Sensation. The Ford Fiesta Sensation edition will be priced at 17.484€ for the three-door version and 18.804€ for the five-door. The Fiesta Sensation Edition is based on the Titanium model and adds: Frozen White Paint, 16-inch 7-spoke alloy wheels and the X-Pack Multimedia. The extended X-Pack Multimedia includes: cruise control, automatic air conditioning, parking sensors in the rear, a rain sensor, electric windshield heat, electric folding mirrors, automatic dimming interior mirror, a USB port with connectivity module for iPods and MP3 players, Bluetooth ® telephone and Voice Control (voice control of the audio system, air conditioning and phone). The Ford Fiesta Sensation Edition will be limited to only 250 units. Ford Fiesta ST to debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show
Ford Focus already has an RS high performance version, but starting in 2011, the Fiesta will also have its own performance version: Enter the Ford Fiesta ST. This model will be powered by an all-new turbocharged engine and will deliver at least 180bhp. The official debut will be made at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show with sales to begin later on that summer. We have to remind you that a while ago Ford said they had dropped the idea of a ST version for the Fiesta, but recent spy shots revealed those rumors weren’t true. With 180 hp under the hood, the Fiesta ST will make the 0-62mph sprint in less than seven seconds and hit a top speed of more than 140mph. The car will be distinguished by twin exhaust pipes, a rear diffuser, and a bodykit. | featured reviews: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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