Ford Fiesta 2013 News

Like us, you probably want to be just like Ken Block when you grow up. Also like us, you probably lack his massive budget and specially-built Subaru Impreza or Ford Fiesta gymkhana weapons.Despair no more, as scooter brand Razor has developed the Crazy Cart, which allows anyone above the age of 9 and below 66kg to hone their Ken Block-style drift skills from the comfort of their own cul de sac.Or warehouse, as Razor’s promo clip proves. This sharply shot footage shows ‘Ken Box’ drifting a cardboard-clad ‘Mister’ livery Crazy Cart through the makeshift arena, deftly manoeuvring through a series of signature Ken Block gymkhana stunts. There’s the forklift, the ultra slo-mo close shaves, and the guy in the gorilla suit. No sign of a Segway though.Powered by rechargeable batteries, the Crazy Cart sends its power through a single wheel at the front with 360 degree steering, with two castor scooter wheels at the rear to permit extreme tail wagging action.  With December 25 approaching, we suspect many stockings will be stretched to Crazy Cart-size this year. Watch the Ken Box gymkhana video here. This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn    

For the launch of the hot Ford Fiesta ST in New Zealand, the carmaker commissioned the creation of a branded hot sauce, and then unleashed it in Auckland’s restaurants and cafes. To that end, they sought out the world’s hottest chili, the feared Trinidad Scorpion, which registers 1.463 million on the Scoville scale that measures heat of chili peppers. To give you some idea of just how eye-watering that is, the bird’s-eye chili in your pad thai is a wimpy 50-100,000 Scoville units. So the Trinidad Scorpion is up to 30 times hotter than anything you’ve accidentally chomped down from your local takeaway. Ford distributed 3000 bottles of their edible fire to restaurants and ran a promotion in which people could win a bottle to take home. Where no doubt it will come in useful to start barbecues and strip paint. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

The new Ford Fiesta range has been rationalised to petrol-only, killing off the 66kW/200Nm 1.6-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder that arrived here only in five-speed manual form. And Ford Australia's general sales manager Neale Hill is bullish about the mid-life update of new Fiesta line-up, which also introduced the scorching new Fiesta ST. Speaking at the Australian launch of the Fiesta and Fiesta ST, Hill said the Fiesta diesel went because just three per cent of buyers wanted the alternative option. The Fiesta is a member of the B-segment, along with cars like the Toyota Yaris and Mazda2. When asked if the Focus was having the same problem, he said that diesel power was "holding in the C-segment." When the refreshed Fiesta goes on sale in September, the mainstays of the range will be powered by a 1.5 litre Duratec in the Trend and Ambiente. Hill said the slight downsizing was in line with Ford’s strategy around the world. "It's part of a global shift (to smaller capacities) and is consistent with our competitors," he said. Both the Yaris and Fiesta are powered 1.5 litre units. The 1.0 litre EcoBoost Fiesta won't be ready until December as the factory in Thailand is yet to start producing the award-winning three-cylinder turbo. When the subject moved to the performance variant, the ST, Hill pointed out that the light performance sector had increased by 150 percent since 2011. Asked about his theory as to why that might be, his answer was a simple admission of being mystified. "We don't really know," he said. When pressed about expectedly monthly volumes, in light of the more expensive Peugeot 208 GTI's ambitious 25 per month estimate, he declined to comment but did indicate an initial shipment of 100 cars. They'll go quickly.  

And you can cook up your Fiesta with three meaty options:bacon stripes over the rear wheelsbacon racing stripes on the bonneta full bacon wrap (10 stripes layed around the car)Before you get too hungry, this is a public relations stunt from Ford of America and was delivered with pork-barrelling terms such as: "unlike bacon grease, nothing gets sizzled away from the Fiesta interior."Ford's pork barrelling got cooking at USA Today, Time and even - well, naturally - Pork magazine with some publicity. "It's no secret that bacon inspires a lot of passion, and that's what the Fiesta celebrates," says Ford Fiesta (US) marketing manager Liz Elser. "Our customers have a hunger for self-expression. Plus, it's just awesome to drive down the road in a piece of bacon."Ford Australia says it has no plans to ham it up with the car.The reporter is on Twitter: @cg_dowling 

Parents will soon be able to choose a car for their teenage children that prevents the car stereo from being played too loudly and won’t break the speed limit. The new Ford Fiesta hatchback due in Australian showrooms next month uses a special key that controls the stereo system, a speed limit and prevents safety aids such as stability control from being switched off.The “My Key” system will also call 000 automatically if the car is involved in a crash in which the airbags have been deployed. The system enables different keys to be assigned to different drivers.Ford is hoping the car will appeal to first time car-buyers, or parents who want peace of mind. Key to the new system is the fact that it can’t be switched off, no matter how hard tech savvy teenagers try.The only way to get around the system is to switch keys with mum or dad. The announcement was made at a Ford event at Sydney’s Fox Studios where 11 new models are being previewed ahead of the Falcon’s demise in 2016. The new Ford Fiesta is due in Australian showrooms in September priced from about $16,000.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling 

VW's Polo GTI pioneered the path and we'll soon feel the need for some RenaultSport speed in the new Clio, as well as the Peugeot 208 GTi and Citroen DS3.But the Ford Fiesta ST shows the most promise. And it should also set the value standard with a starting price of $25,990 when deliveries begin this month.It's one of the baby cars that is converting youngsters from the former go-faster hero cars, the Subaru Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, into something smaller, cheaper and more relevant. A slick-shifting front-drive baby makes more sense today than a fire-breathing AWD monster developed for forest racing.The arrival of the second-generation ST part of an update deal for the Blue Oval baby that will bring affordable performance to the smallest member of the Ford family, as well as mirroring the ST surge in the Focus line -- but for nearly $10,000 less.The Fiesta ST cannot come soon enough as Ford Australia searches for good-news stories for its showrooms in the wake of the death sentence for the locally made Falcon and Territory. The compact Kuga is already on the road and the SUV tiddler, the EcoSport, is coming soon.The fast-and-friendly Fiesta does the job. The 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine is a direct-injection four (134kW/240N) developed by Ford's RS division in Europe, which has been responsible for a string of hits including the wham-bam Focus RS that sold out in double-quick time in Australia. Even with the extra urge, there is a 20 per cent improvement in fuel economy to 6.2L/100km.There is capped-price servicing. It's got everything from grippy Recaro bucket seats to carbon-fibre trim, 4.2-inch infotainment screen, push-button start, aircon and rear parking radar. Ford's Sync emergency-aid system is standard, making an SOS call on the driver's mobile if the car's airbag is triggered.There are obvious changes to the springs and dampers for a car that sits 15 millimetres lower than a regular Fiesta, with beefier brakes including rear discs and a sports-tuned, twin-pipe exhaust that promises WRX-style audio entertainment.There are inevitable body bits but also three-position stability control and electronic vectoring of torque to the driven wheels. But don't go shopping for an ST if you want an easy-going Fiesta -- it's six-speed manual only. If the Fiesta ST proves as enjoyable to drive as the bigger Focus ST, it is a certain winner here. And good buying, too.Ford Fiesta ST -- deliveries start this monthPrice: from $25,990Engine:1.6-litre turbo, 134kW/240NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, FWDThirst: 6.2L/100kmRIVALS Price: from $30,000 (arrives early 2014)Engine: 147kW/275NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, FWDThirst: 6.3L/100Km, 144g/km CO2 (Euro) There is a touch of Godzilla about the turbo RS baby, which makes a powerful and rewarding case on road and track. A preview drive in France this year was great fun but the price will go against it. Price: from $27,990 (on sale now)Engine: 132kW/250NmTransmission: 7-speed twin-clutch auto, FWDThirst: 6.1L/100km, 142g/km CO2 It might not have the all-out eagerness of the bigger Golf GTI but the Polo is a sweet little package. It's a refined car with enough edge to bring a smile but will struggle against its punchier new rivals. Price: from $29,990 (later this month)Engine: 147W/275NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, FWDThirst: 5.9L/100km, 139g/km CO2 Pitched as the spiritual successor to the 205 GTi from the 1980s. We question whether it has the driving enjoyment or the value in a class that's ever getting more competitive. Price: from $28,990 (on sale now)Engine: 141kW/230NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, FWDThirst: 7.5L/100km, 175g/km CO2 Regardless of the performance package, the Corsa is an old car. The OPC work is good across the Opel family but the Corsa is not cheap and this German brand is still scrabbling for traction in local showrooms. Price: from $29,740 (on sale now)Engine: 115kW/240NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, FWDThirst: 6.7L/100km, 155g/km CO2 Almost unknown in Australia but about to benefit from a DS push by new Citroen management. The DS3 trades on great looks but doesn't have the punch or price to challenge the Fiesta. 

A hot little Fiesta ST priced at $25,990 will headline the updated range when it arrives in Australia with a fresh design, new engines and features.

The months of judging for the Women's World Car of the Year is finished, and the supreme winner for 2013 is the Ford Fiesta 1.0-litre EcoBoost. The Fiesta -- which will arrive in Australia later this year -- also won the economy car category in the finalist voting round and, in the second voting round consisting of finalists only, edged out the Mazda CX-5 and the Range Rover.This year judges voted for SUVs in a separate category. The Mazda CX-5 was the narrow winner over the Hyundai Sante Fe.  And in a purely fun category judges were asked to nominate their Dream Car.  This was won by the Aston Martin Vanquish, just nudging out the Jaguar F-type. The awards are audited by international accountants, Grant Thornton.Commenting on the win, Craig Von Essen, Product and Communications Manager for Ford Motor Company, Asia-Pacific and Africa, said the company was 'thrilled' to receive not only the economy car category award but the overall supreme award.“Women pack powerful purchasing power, representing a huge market opportunity.  The fact that a respected panel of published and specialist women motoring writers selected the Ford Fiesta 1.0L EcoBoost is a significant accolade as we work to design, develop and market our vehicles, technologies and services in a way that captures the attention of this very influential buying group.”Chief Judge, Sandy Myhre of New Zealand, said the judging categories changed for 2013 and the three-tier voting system makes it hard for any car to be selected as a category finalist, let alone winning.  Judges supply their own short list from 2013 model year cars they've tested.  From there a short list is formed to determine the finalists and from the finalist list judges choose their supreme winner and the podium finishers.She said the Women's World Car of the Year awards are designed primarily to reflect the preferences of women buyers through the ballot box of women motoring writers from around the world and points out that while some of the judging criteria remains consistent throughout, there are variables.“The Family Car category, for instance, includes child-friendliness, storage space and value-for-money and individually these aren't always appropriate on which to judge a sports car for example. “It's what makes these awards unique, quite apart from the fact there is no other international motoring award in the world which is voted for by women and with women in mind.”Commenting on some of the reasons for their selection, UK judge Victoria MacMillan Bell says Ford's styling gets better and better.“The Fiesta has such a high-end look and feel to it.  Pair this with the multi award-winning 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine achieving range figures and performance never before seen and this very stylish pocket rocket wins in every category, with bells on.”Charlene Clarke from South Africa notes that her country is a price-sensitive market both in terms of purchase price and running costs."As such the Ford Fiesta, specifically with its EcoBoost engine, is already finding massive favour with motorists in this market.  Now, of course, it comes with Ford's sensational styling and SYNC technology.  The surprisingly good performance of the EcoBoost engine and superb economy means this is an unbeatable combination.”The presentation of the trophies and certificates will this year take place in London at the beginning of October.The official results in each category are:Family Car: 1st -  Audi Allroad  2nd -  Volkswagen Golf 3rd -  BMW 3 SeriesLuxury Car: 1st -  Range Rover2nd -   Mercedes Benz SL5503rd - BMW 6 SeriesSports Car: 1st - Porsche Boxster S2nd -  Audi RS 53rd -  Toyota 86/Subaru BRZSUV: 1st - Mazda CX-52nd -  Hyundai Sante Fe3rd -  Nissan PathfinderEconomy Car: 1st -  Ford Fiesta 1.0L EcoBoost2nd -  Kia Forte3rd -  Toyota Prius

The Global Rallycross series is currently making its way around a few circuits in the US before heading back to Europe for a battle in Germany. But apparently there's a US city feeling a bit left out, and it would like a date on that schedule. Detroit wants to host a GRC event, and it took to the streets in a Ford Fiesta ST to make its case.The Fiesta ST has become a potent weapon in the series, helping Ford to a massive lead in the manufacturers' points standing. So it should be no surprise that the Ford ST was used as the vehicle of choice to highlight a run through the Detroit area. There's the standard disclaimer of "Closed Course/Pro Driver" warning before we're treated to a video of a person manhandling the racecar through the city.Starting atop Cobo Hall, the Fiesta ST is thrown through the streets of Detroit in a bid to highlight why the city would make a great stop along the GRC route. It's a very well-shot clip that also highlights why the Fiesta ST GRC would be an absolute blast to pilot around an empty carpark, never mind an entire city. There's no word on who the driver is, but it could be an in-house shoe such as Brian Deegan, Tanner Foust, or Toomas Heikkinen.www.motorauthority.com 

Scheduled to go on sale here towards the middle of 2013, the Ford Fiesta range will kick off with the tiny 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder EcoBoost engine that claimed the World Engine of the Year award a few months ago. “We’ve confirmed the three-cylinder turbo for the Fiesta,” Ford spokesman Neil McDonald says. “Originally it was going to be the EcoSport SUV  but Fiesta will beat it to market by several months. The turbocharged engine is offered in two levels -- 74kW/170Nm and 92kW/200Nm – but there’s no indication yet of whether we will get both. “It’s a little bit early to talk what the engine line-up will be,” McDonald says, although agreeing there would have to be consideration of whether the local market would go for two 1.0-litre versions or would expect to see a larger unit in the upper spec cars. The leaked official images show the main styling changes are focused on the nose, which gets the Aston Martin-flavoured grille shape -- already worn by the overseas Ford Fusion (Mondeo) – set off with a new front bumper and headlight clusters featuring LED running lights. McDonald says it’s also too early to discuss whether price and specification levels will change markedly from the current range, which opens with the $16,990 CL and tops out at the $23,490 Zetec – or whether they will be joined by the Fiesta ST seen overseas. “There’s been a Fiesta ST concept vehicle shown in Europe but we haven’t confirmed it for here,” he says. “For the rest of the range, it’s too far out to talk about price, but we plan to remain competitive. The Fiesta has been doing quite well -- around the 700 per month. It’s been a pretty strong seller for us.” While the release of fresh metal can often mean extra demand that constrains supply of some imported cars, McDonald points out Asian production means it won’t be a problem for the Fiesta. “Our vehicles are built in Thailand so I don’t think supply is going to be an issue,” he says.