3-cylinder Fiesta may be U.S. preview
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Ford Motor Co.'s redesigned Fiesta, unveiled last week in Amsterdam for the European market, features Ford's global trapezoidal grille and will be offered there with Ford's three-cylinder 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine.
Ford hasn't confirmed that the U.S.-version Fiesta will get the 1.0-liter EcoBoost. But the company has said that the engine definitely is coming to North America, and sources say the Fiesta is one likely recipient of the smallest EcoBoost. A redesigned version of the Fiesta is scheduled in North America next year.
A new, more fuel-efficient version of the subcompact Fiesta could help resuscitate slumping sales of Ford's smallest car in the United States. Fiesta sales dropped 28 percent in August and are down 26 percent for the year. More customers seem to prefer the larger Focus compact; Focus sales have shot up 31 percent this year.
In Europe, the Fiesta also will get Active City Stop, an electronic system designed to help drivers mitigate the impact of front-end collisions by reducing engine power and applying the brakes when the system senses a crash is imminent.
Ford will offer a high-performance three-door hatchback ST version in Europe powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. Ford says the ST will be the highest-powered Fiesta ever.
Ford also will offer the Fiesta as a five-door hatchback and a four-door sedan in Europe. Ford sells a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback in the United States, but no three-door hatch. Ford has not said whether a three-door will come to North America.
The redesigned Fiesta will be manufactured in Cuautitlan, Mexico, for North America and in Cologne, Germany, for Europe.
You can reach Bradford Wernle at bwernle@crain.com.
