Ford Fiesta (sixth generation)

The Ford Verve concepts are series of subcompact car concepts from Ford Motor Company which the sixth generation Ford Fiesta (Mark VI) was based upon.[12] The Ford Verve was intended to meet market demands for smaller, more fuel-efficient cars.[13] The Verve was created in both four- and three-door body styles. The 3-door hatchback and 4-door saloon versions of the Fiesta were both based on the Verve, with the 5-door hatchback and the 3-door van being their derivatives.[14]

There are four body styles available for the sixth generation Fiesta, including three- and five-door hatchbacks, four-door saloon, and a three-door van.

Interior

The Mk6 Fiesta includes Ford's Convers+ menu system, and complemented by steering wheel button controls. Ford initially anticipated that over 85% of Fiesta orders would include this multifunction display. Other new equipment includes keyless entry with a 'Ford Power' starter button, reach and rake adjustable steering wheel, electric power steering, and a USB port for portable music players. Ford Easyfuel, the capless refuelling system recently introduced with the Ford Mondeo, is also a feature, while 'ambient lighting,' casting a soft red glow over the interior, was an option. For the 2011 North American-market model, the Ford Sync in-car communications and entertainment system was available as an option.

In 2011, Ford revealed the Fiesta ST concept.[27] The final production model was announced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012.

The Fiesta ST production model went on sale in both Europe and North America in 2013 alongside the facelifted model. In the North American market, the Fiesta ST became available in early 2013 for the 2014 model year, unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show as part of a larger mid-cycle refresh for the Fiesta.[28]

The ST featured a redesigned front fascia similar to the one seen on the Focus ST, a large rear spoiler, aggressive rear diffuser with a dual exhaust system, completed with 17-inch wheels on Bridgestone Potenza tires. On the inside, the ST provided heavily bolstered Recaro front seats (optional in North America with partial leather, and available with either partial leather or cloth-only in other territories) and sportier decor; North American versions were offered with the MyFord Touch infotainment system.[29]

The Fiesta ST is powered by a 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost engine to deliver performance while it was said to provide good fuel efficiency. The 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost turbocharged engine features Twin-independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) and puts out 182 PS (134 kW; 180 hp) with 177 lb⋅ft (240 N⋅m) of torque, providing an acceleration time of under 7 seconds (0–100 km/h) and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h). This engine features "overboost," allowing delivery of up to 200 PS (197 bhp; 147 kW) for a maximum of 15 seconds.[30]

The North American Fiesta ST was offered as a five-door hatchback variant manufactured in Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico instead of the three-door hatchback offered in Europe, Asia and South Africa which was manufactured in Cologne, Germany. It includes a 1.6-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, six-speed manual transmission, overall steering ratio of 13.6:1, increased roll stiffness at rear axle, 15 mm (0.6 in) lower body height than base model, electronic Torque Vectoring Control and 3-mode electronic stability control (standard, sport or off).[31]

In the US, Ford was permitted to market the engine offering its overboost power figure; by contrast, in other countries such as the UK, a manufacturer is not permitted to market an engine's temporary output.[30] The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission which features Ford's Torque Vectoring Control system to brake the inside front wheel to aid agility, and has three ESP modes. The car is expected to provide high fuel economy while not sacrificing performance, with Ford claiming higher fuel economy than the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

The Ford Fiesta ST won Top Gear's Car of the Year for 2013.[32]

In 2016, Ford released the Fiesta ST200 limited edition in Europe. On the outside, it featured bespoke grey paint as the only colour available, and unique 17-inch black alloy wheels. Inside, it featured Recaro bucket seats and illuminated tread plates as standard. Power and torque were both increased. As the name suggests, power was up to 200 PS (147 kW), while torque was boosted to 290 N⋅m (214 lb⋅ft). The chassis remained the same, but torque vectoring (powered by braking the inside wheels rather than an active differential) helped to reduce understeer whilst cornering. As a result of the increase in power and also to a shorter final drive ratio, 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) was reduced to 6.7 seconds.[33]

• 
  Ford Fiesta ST 3-door (UK)
• 
  Ford Fiesta ST (UK)
• 
  Ford Fiesta ST 5-door (US)
• 
  The engine of the limited edition Fiesta ST200
• 
  Interior

Ford Fiesta ECOnetic (Europe)

In 2008 Ford revealed details of an ECOnetic model, which Ford stated would emit 98 g/km of carbon dioxide. The car was launched in 2009. It uses the 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine, but with an added diesel particulate filter. The Fiesta ECOnetic achieves its environmental credentials through weight loss and aerodynamic adjustments, and its emission figure exempts the car from UK vehicle excise duty. The ECOnetic gets an estimated fuel consumption of 65 mpg_‑US (3.6 L/100 km; 78 mpg_‑imp).[34] When tested on the highway mileage and emissions test schedules, on which hybrids are designed to perform well,[35] the ECOnetic outperforms the Toyota Prius.[36]

The model was not be available in the US because, as Business Week noted, the company "doesn't believe it could charge enough to make money on an imported ECOnetic" and does not think it would sell enough of the model (350,000/year) to justify the $350 million in upgrades required at their Mexico plant to manufacture it in North America.[34]

Unveiled at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show in December,[37] the sixth generation subcompact Fiesta was available in North America as a four-door sedan and five-door hatchback, with manual transmission or Ford's dual clutch automatic transmission. All models are manufactured at Ford's Cuautitlán Assembly Plant. Fiesta sales for Canada began in June 2010 for model year 2011.[38] Sales for the 5-door hatchback variant in Mexico started in 2011.[39] Production ended on 19 August 2019.[40]

The North American Fiesta features a redesigned front end and rear bumper compared to the European version, to match the reworked frame underneath in order to meet US crash standards.[41][42] The sedan version is equipped with Ford of North America's trademark 'three-bar' chrome grille, while the hatchback model received a different grille design with body colour treatment. The styling is also used for Latin American models. Other changes include stiffer springs to make up for the added weight, and some fine-tuning to adapt the car to American driver-friendly all-season tires.[41]

Production of Ford Fiesta for the North American market started in May 2010. Ford planned to have cars available for sale soon after. On June 18, 2010, it was reported that although dealers took deposits from over 2,000 customers for Fiesta and placed large orders as the car was heavily marketed, dealers and customers had not received cars that they expected to have arrived weeks ago in May.[43] In July, Ford said initial shipments were delayed for up to two weeks by Hurricane Alex that hit Northern Mexico in late June, and subsequently by Tropical Storm Bonnie.[44] As a result of the delays, Ford sent out US$50 gift certificates. By August 2010, Ford delayed some shipments because of a "quality problem". Ford claimed the issue was fixed and it was unlikely cars with defective parts would reach customers.[45]

Ford dealers in the US offer optional laminated vinyl graphics applied to the car's exterior, expected to last 3 to 5 years before replacement.[46] Also, certain dealers partaking in a new Ford Retail program provide an "unwrapping" digital package loaded with a photograph of the buyer taking delivery of his/her new car. A 19-minute audio description of the car and its features is included, which can be played on the way home, then loaded along with its interactive program into the home computer via its USB connection.[47]

As of February 2014, the 2014 Fiesta ranked number one among Affordable Subcompact Cars according to U.S. News & World Report.[48]

• 
  2012 Ford Fiesta SE hatchback (US)
• 
  2012 Ford Fiesta SE hatchback (US)
• 
  2011 Ford Fiesta S sedan (US)
• 
  2011 Ford Fiesta S sedan (US)

The 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi with 75 PS (55 kW; 74 bhp) is sold instead of, in some countries alongside, the 1.4-litre TDCi. The 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi with 212 N⋅m (156 lb⋅ft) torque is used on non-van models only. Vans with the 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi are rated 200 N⋅m (150 lb⋅ft) torque.

Transmission choices include a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic and a dual-clutch 6-speed automatic. The 4-speed automatic was only offered with the 1.4-litre Duratec engine. The PowerShift 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox is available in North America as an option in addition to the 5-speed manual, which may be sold with a diesel in Europe in the future. This dual-clutch gearbox was also standard on some models in Thailand, and was available as an option in India.

The Fiesta in its most basic Latin American configuration received 4 stars for adult occupants and 4 stars for toddlers from Latin NCAP in 2012.[67]

The Fiesta in its standard European configuration received 5 stars from Euro NCAP in 2012.[68]

In 2017, Ford recalled 2014–2015 Ford Fiesta ST with 1.6 EcoBoost engines because of a risk of engine fires caused by a "lack of coolant circulation". The recall partly contributed to a charge of US$300 million by Ford.[69]

The Fiesta is a subject of an alleged defect regarding the PowerShift (DPS6) dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is fitted to the 2011–2016 Fiesta.[70] Ford customers in the United States had filed multiple class action lawsuit since 2012, due to the issues involving 1.5 million vehicles which consists of 2011–2016 Fiesta along with 2012–2016 Focus which were allegedly built with defective transmissions prone to “shuddering, slipping, bucking, jerking, hesitation while changing gears, premature internal wear, delays in downshifting and, in some cases, sudden or delayed acceleration.”[71] Owners have reported replacing clutches, output shafts, and entire transmissions, and opting for software updates. Many owners said the problems reappear even after service technicians claim the transmission is within normal factory limits.[72] According to court documents, Ford issued multiple technical service bulletins but the problems were never fully resolved.[73]

There have been at least 6 revisions of clutch packs and transmission control modules since inception. Newer clutch packs and transmissions are more resistant to wear and fluid contamination, as the source of many shudder issues involved an improperly installed seal which was leaking transmission fluid onto the dry clutches.[74] Ford also claims there are "changes to the clutch material for better performance across temperature ranges (new for 2016)."[74][75]

A Free Press "Out of Gear" investigation published in July 2019 revealed for the first time internal company documents showing Ford was aware the transmission was defective before putting the vehicles on mass production and continued producing and selling them over the past decade as customers spent thousands on repairs. Ford whistleblowers described to the Free Press in 2019 a fearful atmosphere within the company that led to silence during the development of the DPS6 transmission and, in one case, downgrading the risk assessment of the clutch and control unit due to "political reasons."

A month after the Free Press investigation was published, Ford extended warranty coverage to 600,000 vehicle owners. It is the second warranty extension after the first one in 2014. Ford later stated that the newspaper held "conclusions that are not based in fact," but the transmission has nonetheless created numerous complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of rough shifting and sometimes interruption of power.

In January 2020, Ford proposed an updated settlement of a minimum of $30 million in cash reimbursement in a class-action lawsuit over PowerShift problems, which had since been approved by a federal judge in March 2020.[76] Claims started to be processed and payments distributed after the effective date of April 7, 2020.[77] The payment, which may include a buyback program, could top $20,000 apiece, depending on the issues experienced.[78]

In late 2008 Motor Trend called the new generation of Fiesta a "superb little car" whose "greatest problem is that it's still a year away",[79] a reference to the fact that the Fiesta would not arrive in the US until early 2010. British magazine Auto Express called the car a "new class leader";[80] UK's Car Magazine said it was a "huge achievement" which will "please just about everyone".[81] The February 2009 issue of Britain's What Car? magazine named the new Fiesta "Car of the Year" and the Ford Mondeo "Best Family Car" and "Best Estate."[82] According to What Car?, there is plenty of space in the front of the cabin, however, the rear knee space is rather limited and the backrests do not fold flat onto the base, making an uneven floor for the expanded boot.[83]

The Fiesta was featured on episode 6 of series 12 of Top Gear in a series of "serious" road tests conducted by presenter Jeremy Clarkson, from escaping 'baddies' driving a Chevrolet Corvette C6 in the Festival Place Basingstoke shopping mall, to participating in an amphibious beach assault with the Royal Marines.

In its first two years since the latest generation Fiesta went on sale in October 2008, more than 940,000 Fiestas had been purchased by customers around the world, with 810,000 (86%) being sold in Europe (September 2010).[84]

In February 2019, Green NCAP assessed Ford Fiesta with a 1.0-litre EcoBoost 100 PS engine and manual transmission:

Green NCAP test results
Ford Fiesta (2019)[85]
1l EcoBoost 4x2 manual Euro 6b

Test	Points
Overall:
Clean Air Index: 1.1/10 Laboratory Tests HC CO NOx PN 0.0/9 Cold test 0.5/3 Warm test 0.3/3 Eco Mode 0.3/3 Sport Mode 0.0/9 Highway Road Test HC CO NOx PN 2.6/7 On-Road Drive Robustness
Energy Efficiency Index: 6.6/10 Laboratory Tests Energy Efficiency 8.4/10 Cold test 2.7/3 Warm test 2.6/3 Eco Mode 2.6/3 Sport Mode 6.2/10 Highway