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Fiesta Redefined: a Party on Wheels
by Madelyn Miller
The new Ford Fiesta is every bit as much fun and exciting as a fiesta, while
giving a contemporary twist to what today’s drivers want. The
2011 Ford Fiesta launch revved into high gear when the Dearborn automaker
began taking orders for the small car. What color is your Dream?
Good looks are more than skin deep
Everyone loves a bargain
The Ford Fiesta isn’t just a great deal when you purchase it. The savings
continue as you drive around getting great gas mileage—as much as 40 miles per
gallon. Prices range from $13,995, including a $675 destination charge, for the base
four-door
Fiesta sedan to under $22,000 for a loaded Fiesta SES hatchback with such
goodies as premium painted aluminum wheels, Sync and leather seats.
The 2011 Ford Fiesta offers an advanced PowerShift automatic transmission
that combines the convenience of a traditional automatic with the responsive
performance of a manual gearbox. The result of this combination is Fiesta’s
class-leading fuel economy of up to 40 mpg on the highway. “The dual-clutch automatic is a game-changing transmission for Ford,” said
Piero Aversa, team leader for PowerShift development. “We believe this new
automatic transmission for the Fiesta will be the most advanced in the segment,
offering increased responsiveness and performance – all while helping keep the
engine in its peak efficiency mode – resulting in class-leading fuel economy.” Adam has experience as a race car driver (but he has never had a speeding
ticket) and he was orgasmic over the transmission. Although it was easy enough
to understand the PowerShift automatic transmission ( I got a chance to talk
with Piero Aversa at dinner)-- what impressed me most was the great gas mileage.
PowerShift is an advanced automatic transmission based on the proven
efficiency of manual transmission technology. Traditional automatic transmissions have internal clutches – invisible to the
driver – to enable gear changes. Working in combination with a torque converter
spinning in a pool of automatic transmission fluid, a traditional automatic
relies on hydraulic pressure generated by a power-sapping pump to deliver power
to the wheels. PowerShift maintains a pair of internal clutches, but eliminates everything
else. A manual transmission has long been a fuel-efficient choice for drivers
aiming to squeeze every last mile from each gallon of gasoline. A single,
manually controlled clutch allows changes among a single set of gears. While
manual shift technology increased mechanical efficiency, economical driving
required that a motorist possess the manual dexterity to coordinate engine
speed, gear selection and clutch engagement, all while steering, stopping and
accelerating. SHH! !! 2011 Ford Fiesta brings Big Quiet in a Smaller Car
I am neurotic about noise. I care a great deal about quiet and one of
neighbors recently had to move because I complained whenever he played his
Michael Jackson music at loud volume. So I love how quiet the Ford Fiesta is. The 2011 Ford Fiesta adheres to the same noise, vibration and harshness (NVH)
control principles as larger Ford car lines, delivers class-leading quietness Fiesta highway wind noise at 80 mph is 10 percent quieter than a Honda Fit
and still quieter than the Toyota Corolla The Fiesta body structure was designed with ultra-high-strength steels for
rigidity, resulting in a quiet, rattle-free ride Who will want to buy the Fiesta
This is a car that has an almost universal appeal. It is a great fun first
car for someone on a budget. But at the other end of the spectrum, it is the
perfect car for an empty nester. Surprisingly, there is a strong interest among
former foreign car owners. Fiesta momentum continues to grow months before the car arrives in dealer
showrooms this summer. The 2011 Ford Fiesta now has 6,000 reservations – half of them from non-Ford
customers – and more than 100,000 handraisers showing an interest in the new
fuel-efficient car. The heritage
Fiestas were enthusiastically driven to high mileage accumulations. Common on
American streets into the early 1990s, almost 300,000 Fiestas were sold as
inexpensive, fuel-efficient and fun alternatives to the dreary small cars of the
day. Several Fiestas survived to play roles in both SCCA Improved Touring class
C and Rally competition. Recently, Ford Racing has resumed production of the
legendary Kent engine block, to the delight of Formula Ford, and Mk 1 Fiesta
enthusiasts, worldwide. Pay attention
At one point Adam and I were having so much fun talking, we were afraid we
had missed a turn. In the Mars/Venus thing, I wanted to ask someone for
directions to the hotel, Adam was sure we would find it if we just kept driving.
Finally, I got the attention of a young woman in the next car. She smiled and
waved when I rolled the window down to ask her where Third Avenue was. She
seemed so happy to talk to someone driving a Fiesta. The Fiesta has a karma that
evokes instant friendship. The Fiesta family album
The Fiesta Movement
Ford has used the Social Media in novel ways that reflect the unique features
of the Fiesta. The clever marketing has added cache to the vehicle and made it
something of a early adopters favorite. Just like the people who must have an
iphone or ipad the first day it is offered, the cult of Fiesta owners is already
beginning. The Fiesta Movement had an impact on more than just the millions of people
who tuned in to follow the agents. “Driving around in my Fiesta made me feel
like a rock star. That little green car received envious stares from strangers,
accolades from friends, and occasional rounds of applause from gearheads I ran
into at gas stations. I can’t think of any other car I would rather own,”
explained Fiesta Movement agent Bliss Dennen. Reservations assure customized service
By reserving a Fiesta early, consumers will receive prioritized order
handling, including automatic build updates, a personal Fiesta Reservations
consultant and the SYNC® and Premium Sound Package at no charge once their
Fiesta is built. Once the vehicle purchase is completed, participants will be
able to share their vehicles’ information through social media sites like
Facebook.
Signature Drinks from Ford Fiesta Madelyn Miller is a travel and automotive writer who has
fallen in love with the Ford Fiesta. Read her stories on
www.travellady.com,
www.carladynews.com,
www.yogayaya.com,
www.chocolateatlas.com,
www.cocktailatlas.com,
www.coffeeatlas.com,
www.teaAtlas.com |
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Until this
week, when I heard the word Fiesta, I thought of Mexican Mariachis, Cinco de
Mayo parties and piñatas.
The
Fiesta comes in fifteen fantastic colors. My driving partner, Adam Bararrea
chose a green one for our afternoon drive to a winery. As we drove up the
coastline, we got lots of admiring glances from the drivers in other vehicles. The next day I
drove a red Fiesta to the AutoCross and felt like I was leading a parade as we
drove in a line from our hotel .Flame Red Fiestas, Lime Squeeze Green Fiestas,
Yellow Fiestas, Blue Fiestas. The roads have never been so colorful. A party on
wheels. 
Besides
their bright, attention getting exterior, the quality touches in the Ford Fiesta
interior are unique in the Fiesta class. The seats were as comfortable as those
in luxury car. I loved the blind spot mirror. And the trunk was really roomy for
a car of its size 
Other
prices include $750 for a 3dCarbon body kit, $150 for custom graphics such as a
floral pattern, polka dots or stripes and $295 for body-side tattoo graphics.
What makes the class
leading fuel economy possible
If you
care about how it works: Dual internal clutches, no clutch pedal.
People
can’t help but notice the Fiesta. Besides the bright, happy colors, the sleek
lines have a look of luxury. Everywhere I drove; it seemed like people smiled at
us. 
We gathered
a group of motorcycle enthusiasts when we drove by “Alice’s Restaurant.” At a
particularly scenic setting along the
road, we saw
a couple with adorable dogs—Sugar and Honey. We thought they would look great in
a Fiesta. The
dogs seemed
happy to jump in the trunk with me. And since one good value deserves
another, we stopped at Taco Bell. Seemed like the right place to find food while
driving a Fiesta. People asked about the car and we were at least as
popular as the Tacos and Quesadillas.
Adam and I
were like two parents of a new child. We kept taking pictures at each scenic
turn. We posed the
car every which
way and it always looked great. Adam always turned the wheels to get the best
angle. I may have almost as many pictures of the Fiesta as of my adorable
grandbabies this month. Perhaps more. 
Fiesta
reservations can be made at 
With their
typical attention to detail, after the Ford Fiesta launch drive writes were
served cocktails in colors that matched the Fiesta exterior finish. But that is
another story.