Ford Fiesta 2009 News

Ford has suffered a signficant sales setback over the past 18 months but the company's new chief, Marin Burela, says it has all the ammunition it needs to hit the target in Australia.He believes everything from the baby Fiesta to the homegrown Falcon has been undersold and is pushing a new line to revitalise the showroom action.An upbeat Burela was launching the $20 million Advanced Centre for Automotive Research and Training's environmental wind tunnel, noting the investment highlights the technology and innovation Ford is using to appeal to efficiency conscious consumers."This was once a myth and a dream," he says of the XT Falcon's 9.9-litres for 100km fuel consumption."There are some mainstream large volume four-cylinders that achieve that economy ... you can actually have a large car and be socially responsible."We've also been locked out of certain markets because we didn't have a large car with sub-240g/km emissions."Governments wouldn't even put us on their shopping lists."This Falcon now achieves emissions of 238g/km."I'll be knocking on the door of those governments (departments) and fleets.""For those who choose not to drive a large car, then the Fiesta actually provides better fuel economy than the (Toyota) Prius and at $15,000 less."Behind the positive spin is a simple fact — Ford's marketing hasn't matched its product.The Falcon was awarded Car of the Year by Carsguide and Wheels last year — and was last month outsold by the Commodore by 1554 cars.Ford is touting Paul Gover's assessment of the Fiesta as "the best car in class — simple as that" on a 12m billboard next to Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge — yet the best car in the segment is being outsold by the Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Getz."All we have to do is get Australian customers to accept the world is at their door," Burela says."We'll be advertising in a very focused, very specific way.""We need to get people to drive the cars and judge for themselves." 

The same technology that gives the Fiesta diesel a fuel economy figure of just 3.7 litres/100km is expected to make it into other Fords.Ford Australia president and CEO Burela admits that he would like to see a whole range of ECOnetic Fords.In the UK, ECOnetic models are available in Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo."We're looking and studying that as an option but it's too early to say," he says."We'll start off with the Fiesta though."Full local specifications and ECOnetic pricing will be released closer to the hatches on sale date around October.In the UK the five-door ECOnetic is $1000 less than the five-speed manual Titanium 1.6-litre petrol hatch, which closely equates to the Australian-spec $20,990 Zetec 1.6 five-speed.Burela describes the Fiesta ECOnetic is "an economy car without compromise".Since its launch in Janaury, the petrol Fiesta is proving a big hit for Ford.Demand is outstripping supply, particularly for Zetec models."We think that with the ECOnetic that will take that to another level," Burela says.He believes buyers are ready and prepared to pay for a car like the ECOnetic."We think that we need to offer the Australia customers a choice," he says."We thought why not introduce it to the range and give the consumers the choice of where they want to go."The Fiesta ECOnetic looks and drives just like the conventional hatch, using conventional diesel powertrain technology.Power comes from a 1.6-litre TDCi diesel with a particulate filter to reduce harmful emissions.The engine develops 66kW at 4000 revs and 200Nm from just 1750 revs.Apart from its hybrid-busting fuel economy, the modern direct-injection diesel has a C02 emissions figure of just 98 g/km.Burela says the car has the potential to deliver best-in-class CO2 emissions compared to the current crop of competitive vehicles, as well as against today's most popular hybrids.Apart from the specially calibrated diesel, the car uses low rolling resistance tyres, aerodynamic aids, longer final drive gear ratio and 10mm lower suspension for reduced drag.The driver also gets a green shift indicator light in the instrument cluster, which signals the best gear change point to maximise fuel economy.To help reduce weight there is a tyre mobility kit rather than a traditional spacesaver spare.Make One Degree of difference today by calculating your carbon footprint and finding out what you can do to reduce it.

Ford Australia announced this morning that it will add a hybrid-beating turbo-diesel Fiesta to its lineup later this year. Unveiling what he describes as one of the most fuel-efficient hatches available, Ford Australia president and CEO Marin Burela, said the Fiesta ECOnetic was “an economy car without compromise”. The modern direct-injection 1.6-litre diesel Fiesta ECOnetic achieves a fuel economy figure of just 3.7 litres/100km with a C02 emissions figure of just 98 g/km. The ECOnetic is powered by a 1.6-litre TDCi diesel with a particulate filter that develops 66kW at 4000 revs and 200Nm from just 1750 revs. “The Fiesta ECOnetic will enable customers to drive a mainstream, fuel efficient and low CO2 emitting vehicle that is also stylish and affordable,” Burela said. “By launching a specific model, with dedicated Ford ECOnetic badging to designate its ultra-low CO2 results, we will be able to offer a clear alternative for those customers who prioritise low emission performance.” The Fiesta ECOnetic could also pave the way for other ECOnetic models. “Fiesta ECOnetic looks and functions just like conventional Fiesta, using conventional diesel powertrain technology,” Burela said. “Yet it has the potential to deliver best-in-class CO2 emissions compared to the current crop of competitive vehicles, as well as against today's most popular hybrids. The car uses a combination of the latest generation common rail diesel powertrain, together with low rolling resistance tyres, aerodynamic aids, longer final drive gear ratio, 10mm lower suspension and specially calibrated diesel. As well, the driver gets a green shift indicator light in the instrument cluster, which signals the optimal point to change gear to maximise fuel economy. The car gets a tyre mobility kit rather than a traditional spacesaver space to help further reduce weight. Full local specifications and pricing will be released at a later date. However, the UK-spec five-door ECOnetic costs $1000 less than the five-speed manual Titanium 1.6-litre petrol hatch, which closely equates to the Australian-spec $20,990 Zetec 1.6 five-speed.   The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show... Make One Degree of difference today by calculating your carbon footprint and finding out what you can do to reduce it.

Twenty years ago, the Ford’s show spotlight would have been filled with big Aussie sixes and eights. But this year, with rising oil prices and an all-time low in consumer confidence, the car buyer is

Twenty years ago, the Ford’s show spotlight would have been filled with big Aussie sixes and eights. But this year, with rising oil prices and an all-time low in consumer confidence, the car buyer is demanding half the size, and with half the cylinders.As the Falcon flounders and Volkswagen steps up to Fords long-held spot as the #3 carmaker, the timing is perfect for Ford to refresh and revive its Fiesta. As new Ford Oz boss Marin Burela said on the stand: “The small car is a big thing”.Ford can already sniff the sales, as the global Fiesta platform is shared with the very successful Mazda 2. The Fiesta will also offer the same three-door and five-door bodystyles, and copy in its skinny family member with a 40kg weight saving from the shared frame.The sleeker, lower silhouette is transformed by an organic interpretation of Ford Europe’s Kinetic design theme and global front face, and under the bonnet lies Ford’s own 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre Duratec petrol fours.The 1.4-litre develops 71kW/128Nm, and is the more expensive option of the two as it is paired with a four-speed automatic. All but the Zetec three-door is available in this combination.The larger 1.6-litre, which is up 14kW to a feisty 88kW and 152Nm, is matched to a five-speed manual only.Fuel consumption is even more minuscule than before: 6.1L/100km for the 1.6-litre, and 6.9L/100km for the 1.4 auto.Overseas, the Fiesta will also run a 1.6-litre diesel ECOnetic TDCiengine claiming 3.7 l/100 km and less than 100g/km of CO2. Ford won’t yet say whether we will have this frugal oiler in the future.Trims are aligned with the current range: a five-door base CL, a five-door mid-spec LX, and three- and five-door top-shelf Zetec. No word yet on XR4...The Zetec is loaded with standard bodykit and larger 16-inch alloys, side airbags and driver kneebag, and the all-important stability control (DSC/TC).The ‘bags and stability control are optional on CL and LX as part of a $1000 ‘safety pack’.The LX shares the Zetec’s standard cruise control and Bluetooth connectivity, and a 3.5mm audio jack and capless refuel port are standard across the range. Prices start at $15,750 for the three-door CL manual, $18,490 for LX and from $20,250 for three-door Zetec spec.Also on the Ford stand are the FG Falcon XR6 Turbo, G6E and G6E Turbo, the FG01 FG V8 Supercar, refreshed LV Focus XR5 Turbo and ZD Escape SUV, and a limited-edition SR2 Territory.

In a swiftly changing motoring environment carmakers are searching for new ways to cut fuel use and emissions and improve efficiency.Among the hundreds of concepts and new and updated models on display at the Paris motor show over the next 15 days are some definite standouts. Renault has combined gull-wing doors, comfort, refinement and a slippery design with a hybrid diesel engine and plonked it all on massive 23-inch wheels in its range-topping Ondelios concept car (cover picture).It's 4.8m long and has a hybrid 150kW version of the 2.0-litre dCi engine.There are also two 20kW electric motors at the front and rear to provide extra boost recovered during braking.Mercedes is unveiling one of the world's fastest cabriolets. The SLR McLaren Roadster 722S has 478kW of power and accelerates from 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 335km/h.Just 150 of the two-seater supercars will be built. It complements Mercedes' other show star the ConceptFascination, a wild two-door sportswagon. It's a modern version of the old British “shooting-brake” where a wagon tail has been planted on a sporty saloon.Citroen's crossover concept, Hypnos, hasa 150kW engine that boasts miserly fuel efficiency figures of 4.5-litres per 100km.However, it what's inside that is different. An extremely colourful rainbow light show highlights its sleek styling.Honda is using the Paris show to highlight its green commitment. Star of its stand is the new Insight Concept, a dedicated petrol-electric hybrid car in the vein of Toyota's Prius.It is expected to go into production within the next few years.From the US, GM will debut a close to production version of its revolutionary Volt electric car. Chevrolet is showing its new crucial small car the Cruze, plus its first seven-seat multi-purpose family car, the Orlando show car.A form of SUV-family van and wagon crossover, it has a 2.0-litre diesel engine.Alfa Romeo is unveiling its little MiTo compact which is due to come to Australian the middle of next year.Fiat is showing the MiTo's likely competitor in the super-mini category, the 120kW 500 Abarth EsseEsse (SS) plus its PUR-O2 eco-range of cleaner, greener 500s. New technology includes the ability for the engine to turn itself off while idling and back on to continue driving.Mini will show its all-wheel-drive Crossover Concept, while BMW will premiere its X1 wagon. The Mini is intended for adventurous twenty-somethings, while the Concept X1 will go into production as a safe, practical family car.Chasing a similar small, sporty car market is Audi with its new A1. The near-production version will be a feature of its stand.Saab is exhibiting its 9-X Air concept car, while Volvo is debuting its production-ready ultra-safe XC60 crossover which is headed for Australia.Porsche has several new models in the911 range plus the go-anywhere Cayenne S Transsyberia super-4WD.Mazda's all-new Kiyora urban compact four-cylinder concept car will sit alongside the world debut of production cars, the new generation MX-5, the Mazda6 with a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine and the Mazda2 1.6-litre diesel.Lamborghini has joined the rush to GT supercars with its four-door Estoque concept.Like Porsche's Panamera, Maserati's Quattroporte and Aston Martin's upcoming four-seater, the Estoque, brings a new versatility to one of the world's most uncompromising sports marques.Lamborghini stresses that although there are no production plans for the AWD Estoque it has been developed as fully production capable.Toyota has three world premiere vehicles ranging from its little four-seater city car, the iQ, to the all-new Avensis sedan and wagon and the 1.4-litre diesel-engined Urban Cruiser All Wheel Drive.Ford is debuting the all-new Ka city car with a choice of 1.2-litre petrol and 1.3-litrediesel engines, the hot Focus RS and the new economic Fiesta.Volkswagen will show off its latest Golf GTi. The hot hatch for 2009 is cleaner, smoother and much more refined than earlier cars.It will still come with a 155kW turbo petrol engine and the promise of a 7.2-second sprint to 100km/h, but is missing the wild body bits of earlier GTi road runners.Nissan's debuting Nuvu concept is just three-metres long. It only has two normal seats plus a third that folds down for luggage and groceries. The city car has solar panels on the glass roof.Ferrari will debut its chic two-seater V8 California sports car.From Korea will come Hyundai's i20 small car and a 2.4-litre engined hybrid SUV.Kia is showing its Soul range of urban crossover concepts that come with either petrol or diesel engines. There's also a hybrid version. Additional reporting by Kevin Hepworth and Paul Gover. 

The Swiss show this week turned a significant corner, brushing aside traditional glitz and glamour to tackle the more sombre environmental issues.The show's displays confronted visitors with the speed and breadth of low-emission vehicle development.The change that is sweeping Europe and is relentlessly marching on other markets, including Australia, is spurred by consumer demands for low-emission cars and future European legislation that will dramatically curtail exhaust pollutants.Ford Europe's vice-president for environmental affairs, Wolfgang Schneider, said there was a global move to reduce emissions and create energy independence through minimising the use of fossil fuel.But rather than make hybrids, or wait for fuel-cell vehicles that use hydrogen, European car companies are seeking less radical and less expensive options.“The mainstream solution is to take conventional technology and turn it green,” he said.“Consumers want what they have now — cars that are well priced, have sporty driving manners, are comfortable and affordable to run — but they want to be environmentally aware. More importantly, they don't want to pay for it.”Ford released its new Fiesta small car that emits less than 120g of CO2 for every kilometre, the future legislated threshold proposed by the European Union.“We can do this by using current engineering — that is, to reduce the vehicle's weight, make the car more aerodynamic, and use low-friction lubricants,” Dr Schneider said.“The Fiesta, with 99g/km, equates to a fuel economy of 3.8 litres/100km. As long as we can get these low emissions and low fuel consumption by existing technology, the less need we have to rush into building hybrid vehicles.“If we decide on a hybrid, it will immediately add about $6000 to the car's price. Customers won't pay that.”Ford in Europe also offers one Flexifuel version which runs on biofuel for every model. But the pick-up is poor compared with diesels.Volvo, which sits under the Ford umbrella, offers biofuel models, but believes high-efficiency diesels are the best option.Volvo chief Steven Armstrong said his company would soon offer a high-efficiency version of its C30 three-door hatch that emits less than 120g/km.He said it was also developing a plug-in electric C30 version.The battery is charged by plugging the car into a power source, usually overnight. The battery runs four electric motors, each within the wheel hubs.When the battery runs low, a small four-cylinder, ethanol-fuelled engine is automatically started to run a generator to recharge the battery.Volvo insists that the power source to charge the battery must be sustainable, preferably solar or wind-generated.“We will have a hybrid of the XC60 (a small SUV released this week and expected in Australia later this year) in 2010 and other hybrids may follow,” Mr Armstrong said.“Hybrids are great for the city where there is low-speed operation, but we believe that an efficient diesel is far, far better for the environment.“We will have an XC60 diesel with 170g/km CO2 on the market within 12 months.”Many manufacturers at the Geneva Motor Show displayed diesel-fuelled vehicles that use an ammonia-based liquid that results in extremely low emissions of nitrogen. Companies such as Mercedes-Benz call it BlueTec.But it's not on the way to Australia, certainly not this year.Volkswagen has a similar system called BlueMotion that could be here as early as late 2009.Volkswagen showed a concept diesel-hybrid that it claims will consume only 3.4 litres/100km.One further way many car makers are minimising fuel consumption and reducing emissions is by offering models with smaller engines.This “downsizing” is being adopted by Volvo (it has a two-litre, four-cylinder engine option for its S80 luxury sedan) and Ford (1.6-litre engine for the medium-size Mondeo).The legislation on emissions will come into force from January 1, 2012.However, the rush to clean up the current fleet of cars is also being pushed by new US emission legislation that will come into effect about the same time as Europe.When introduced, both sets of legislation will affect the vehicles available to Australian buyers. 

This is how the next Ford Fiesta will look. Not exactly, because this great-looking hatch is only a motor show tease, but the basics are right for a new Ford compact contender in 2009.The Fiesta will be previewed as the Ford Verve at the Frankfurt Motor Show in two weeks and no one is denying the direct line from the show to a showroom in Australia.Equally, no one at Ford Australia is prepared to confirm the Verve as a Fiesta.“It's a B-car concept. It's definitely a concept,” Ford Australia spokeswoman Sinead McAlary, says.She admits the current Fiesta is on the road to a runout and that Ford is working on something special to replace it.She also hints that the Verve will be tweaked next year into a car that becomes the next Fiesta, without confirming timing.“Next year may be too soon. Next year we would probably reveal the production version,” she says.The Verve is as radical as the Iosis X, the last significant Ford concept to make the transition from spotlights to stoplights.The Iosis was used as the basis for the new mid-sized Mondeo, which comes to Australia next month with the potential to give Broadmeadows a boost with family-car buyers.It's the same story with the Verve, which takes a new line for Ford baby cars. It has a smooth hatchback line, a gaping mouth and looks different to anything on the road.The cabin is the same, though it has a similar radical twist as the Honda Civic.“Bold, even radical,” is how Ford of Europe design chief Martin Smith describes the Verve.He says the baby car is pitched at “a sophisticated, fashion-ware generation” with everything from a coupe-style body to 18-inch alloy wheels, a giant glass sunroof and a side profile without intrusive B-pillars.But there is more inside.“A new generation of buyers raised with mobile electronic devices will feel right at home,” Verve chief interior designer Niko Vidakovic says.