Well, this Fiesta is virtually identical to the Euro version. Slightly different bumpers for safety stuff, but it's not like the Focus has been recently... where the US has a completely different generation Focus than Europe.

Regarding a "sporty" version, it's not unlikely that we'll see the ~180hp 1.6L EcoBoost I4 in the Fiesta sometime in the next few years.

If they do, there will be a 119hp N/A 1.6L and a 180hp Turbo 1.6L. Sound familiar?

 

Yes, the game changing feature is power. Sometimes power differences make all the difference to some people. Obviously, power isn't one of your major concerns. (Cooper, V6 stang, and a 4 banger stang) To me power factors into my purchasing decisions. I've owned a JustaCooper and pretty much modded it to the max. Only so much HP you can squeeze out of it. Handling wise its pretty much on par with the "S". On Auto-X/Track Days I could easily hold my own with MCS's. If I was going to track the car or Auto-x it. Id buy the cooper. For a Daily Driver econo-box the Fiesta would suit my needs fine. Cheaper on Price and probably going to be cheaper to insure. You aren't getting my point though. Look at my example the 328i BMW is the Exact same BMW as the 335i. Drive the 328i and then step into the 335i. Then you tell me they are the same car. Same logic with the Non-s to the S.

 

Fiestavus for the rest of us! That would be a hot hatch edition like the like the ST or RS Turbo. I also look forward to the Abarth 500. According to Wiki the US version Fiesta will be built in rural Mexico. So it will not be like the German hot little hatch built in Cologne. And I doubt we will get an ST version or an inthaworks RS Turbo version.

Abarth 500

 

hey, thanks for all the replies and info....loved that top gear video ("hey, those smoke grenades fit neatly in the cupholders!")

any ideas how the Fiesta and MINI will compare in crashworthiness tests?

also, is there any definitive answers as to when or if diesel versions will be offered in the states of the Fiesta or the MINI?

 

I heard that the Cooper D is not coming to the States. I'm not sure on the Fiesta though.

 

I'm not in disagreement that power can be the differentiating feature. However, the Fiesta has nearly identical power and weight to the Cooper, so the only logical conclusion to come to is that you believe the Fiesta is better than a MINI when the MINI doesn't have a HP advantage. That was my point regarding your claim from the beginning.

When the power differential is no longer a variable (Fiesta vs Cooper), your claim is that the Fiesta is the better car.

THAT is what I disagree with and would say is an overgeneralization.


Another generalization.

My V6 Mustang is one of the most powerful all-motor 3.8L Mustangs. It doesn't make an incredible amount of power, but if owning a Cooper S or GTI means you care about power, it would compare favorably to those.

Also, the 4-cylinder Mustang was purchased as a project car. The 2.3L Turbo shotblock (a la SVO) is on an engine stand in my garage.


If you can spec a 328 to be the same as a 335 except for power like you can with the Coopers, then I'll happily say it's the same car *except* for the power.

 

My $ goes to Cooper Nation ! Ford's stink Come on Man !

 

I honestly think the fiesta looks better then the stock cooper. Call me a sucker for the Center mount rear exhaust and the Bonnet scoop. So they are not identical. They may be 90% the same they arent completely the same. The 328i and the 335 are identical in every way except for the engine and some of the drivetrain.

I wouldn't compare my gti to your stangs, unless you know what im running under my hood. Let's just say the dinky k03 turbo it came with, isnt there anymore.

 

We'll have to agree to disagree on what differentiates the cars... which shows my initial point. The Cooper and Fiesta are quite similar in most tangible ways, so it's really a matter of personal preference which is better. Hence why a simple "Fiesta>Cooper" is an overgeneralization, IMO.


I'm not going down this road. Point was, you claimed that power wasn't of significant interest to me based on the cars I own. I explained why you were wrong. Whether or not your car is faster or not is irrelevant.

 

If you looking at crashworthiness between the two you will probably be diappointed with the Fiesta. It really is a lot less of a car then the MINI. To me when I dove it, it didn't have as much mass as the MINI. The N/A version that I had though defianetly has some pick up and go though about the same as the Cooper. It was defianetly European design which is wierd but, I liked it. But the best part of all is that though it is an American car it is built in Germany so it isn't a piece of crap.

 

Just gunna leave it at that. Honestly, I'm glad you love your Cooper. I sure loved mine. I'm giving Ford a lot of props the Fiesta will be a huge seller. Ford's getting smart, finally putting the 5.0 V8 in the 2011 Stang.

 

Since it is obvious IMO that the new Ford is not competion for the MINI, it can only help the MINI. Think about it....the ford will show the masses that a small car can be an OK little car...and hopeful break people's preconcieved notions that small cars suck. As MINI drivers we all know small cars can be wonderful, but lets face it, MINI's are not exactaly mainstreen when perhaps 50% of the US population must drive more than an hour to get to a MINI dealer.....Ford are common, and when somebody wants to step-up in quality, power, safety and performance, the MINI's will be there waiting, and the masses will be more accepting. No more..."it is so cute....but I could never....or it must be unsafe....etc". It is all about marketplace acceptance.....

 

Looks Like Ford is bringing the 2012 Euro Focus (world car) to the states also.

http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows...cus/index.html

 

Don't get me wrong... I love what Ford is doing. Not too many Ford fans bigger than me. However, I just think the Fiesta vs. Cooper match-up is too close to call based on objective measure. I think it comes down to personal preference.

Anyway, I'm definitely excited to see that 5.0 in action. It'll be nice for the Mustang to be really competitive with a similarly-priced Camaro in a straight line. It's been a while.


While I don't agree that the Fiesta is not worthy competition for the MINI, I do agree that the Fiesta will help people realize that small cars don't have to be embarrassingly crappy or boring. I think it will be a win/win situation for the entire segment, as I said earlier in this thread.

 

Cooper > Cooper S

depending on whose PAX index you look at


Theres a few new small cars coming over in the next couple years. To compare only two of them is counter productive. What about:

Fiat 500 & Abarth
VW Polo
Mazda2 (same as Fiesta but still...)

I like Minis but the competition's getting hot

 

Fiesta has good reviews over in Europe, and I would test drive it. The only thing that might doom this car is the pricing and the stiff competition.

Speaking of hot hatches, Suzuki will also be bringing the Swift stateside as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RThnxclE0Q

 

oops, what resale


Also, there's a Suzuki/GM partnership BTW

 

ruh-roh

Ford highest failure MOT (europe)

 

You mean the Ford Vans at number 1 and 3? A quote from your link:

For the states that perform regular safety inspections, I bet we would see similar results.

 

I saw the vans 1 & 3, but didn't really go much further into the explanation. (oh well)

 

Finally saw the new Fiesta at the San Diego Auto Show. If Ford turns their SVT group loose on it like they did for the original Focus, even the JCW could see some real heat. BTW, I had an '02 SVT Focus (). It was on par with my MCS in overall handling, tho not near the same torque.