2012 Paris Motor Show: Redesigned Ford Fiesta Takes the Stage

After first showing off the refreshed Euro-spec Ford Fiesta at a dealer event in Amsterdam earlier this month, the Blue Oval has now brought the party to the 2012 Paris Motor Show for its first public appearance. The big news here is both under the hood and in front of it, too, as the face-lifted Fiesta was shown with its high-efficiency I3 engine and a drastically revised front appearance that owes much to the look of the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion. Which, in turn, is part of a growing design shift in the industry back toward more traditional, upright grilles, likely inspired by the success of Audi’s “single frame” look.

Refreshed Ford Fiesta: Design Details

Recently joining the upright grille brigade have been automakers like Lexus (with its “spindle” grille) and Nissan (see the all-new Nissan Altima), but Ford’s execution with the new Fiesta stands out as a particularly nice effort, especially given the car’s subcompact dimensions. The result is a blunter, more aggressive look that is enhanced by the Fiesta’s new “power dome” hood. It's not much of an actual dome, of course, but creases that converge toward the front of the car to accentuate the new grille and create a dynamic, forward-flowing appearance. Other cosmetic changes include larger, more expressive pockets for the Fiesta’s front fog lights, along with what the company describes as “a harmonious and ergonomically optimized interior.”

"Fiesta has been one of the world's best-loved small cars across five decades, and the sporty appeal of the last generation Fiesta inspired real passion among global compact car customers, contributing to its status as the world's most successful small car," said Martin Smith, Ford of Europe executive design director. "We had to keep that vital part of Fiesta's make-up—but we also wanted to give it a more sophisticated look."

Refreshed Ford Fiesta: The Three Gets Ready

Plenty sophisticated as well is the new Fiesta’s petite but potent EcoBoost I3 engine—already acclaimed as the 2012 International Engine of the Year. Even with just three cylinders, Blue Oval technologies like twin-turbocharging and continuously variable valve timing work together in the I3 to deliver new standards for fuel efficiency and up to 123 hp. (A 98-hp unit also is on the menu, at least for European consumers.) And keep in mind that, although what happens in Europe does sometime stay in Europe, that won’t be the case for this new powerplant: Ford has confirmed it as part of the American Fiesta’s coming update, too.

“The 1.0-liter EcoBoost is one of the most advanced engines Ford has ever produced and makes use of so many innovative techniques and technologies that it’s difficult to keep count,” said Graham Hoare, executive director, Powertrain, Ford of Europe. “It has always been Ford’s strategy with EcoBoost technology to look at every single detail in our relentless pursuit of improving fuel economy without compromising performance, and this new engine demonstrates that philosophy perfectly. The net result is an engine that we’re sure will surprise and delight our customers.”?