2014 Ford Fiesta Gets Feistier

The restyled 2014 Ford Fiesta on display at the 2012 Paris Motor Show is headed our way, but the most noticeable thing about the freshened Fiesta isn’t the most notable thing about it.

It’s hard to miss the Fiesta’s new trapezoidal grille, which recalls luxury grand-touring cars from Aston Martin that cost 10 times as much as this entry-level Ford. We’re not talking about the 2014 Fiesta’s LED running lights either, or its new Active City Stop safety feature, which works at low speeds to eliminate low-speed collisions in traffic.

Rather, the most important thing to know about the new 2014 Fiesta is that it will be offered with a new direct-injected, turbocharged, 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine making an estimated 123 horsepower and 125 lb-ft. of torque, with up to 148 lb-ft. available when the “overboost” function is active for short spurts of extra power. Better yet, maximum torque is on tap between 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm.

Ford hasn’t announced whether the new EcoBoost engine replaces the current 1.6-liter 4-cylinder in the U.S., which makes 120 horsepower and 112 lb-ft. of twist at a lofty 5,000 rpm, or if it will be offered as an extra-cost option. That said, whether the turbocharged 3-cylinder is paired with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed PowerShift automated manual gearbox, the 2014 Fiesta EcoBoost ought to feel a good bit feistier.