But keep the pot boiling and you will find a rather nice power train here. I have heard that the Ford racing folks have already toyed around with a Fiesta or two, so let's see what happens power-wise in the future. Of course, it runs on regular unleaded and Ford projects gas mileage on the tested vehicle of 29 city and 38 on the highway. I got 31 mpg.
The gearbox is easy to get acquainted with and the light clutch pedal helps as well. The shift from fourth to fifth might be a stretch for some with short arms. Reverse gear is to the right and down, at a time when most makers put it to the left and up, so that might take some getting used to.
Keep the revs up and you will find this to be kind of a fun car out on curvy back roads, thanks to a well-thought suspension. There are independent MacPherson struts with a stabilizer bar up front, and a twist beam with coil springs to the rear. Ford promised to make as few changes as possible to the European Spec Fiesta and overall they did it. Handling is secure and while the feedback through the wheel isn't the greatest, there was little body lean and the SE model standard P185/60R15 tires hung on rather well. Look for a standing start to 60 time of about 9 seconds or so. On the interstate, the little four virtually dozes in fifth gear and is seldom heard from except on downshifts, and then not to any extreme. Ford promised this would be one of the quietest cars in the subcompact field and they delivered on that one also. So watch your speed on the interstates, because it is so quiet it is very easy to find yourself over the limit.
2011 Ford Fiesta Reviews
Sunday, January 30, 2011
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