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2011 Ford Fiesta Makes US Debut in LA

Just as promised, Ford showcases the US-bound Fiesta at the Los Angeles Auto Show, with sales to begin in North America next year. The car will be offered in four- and five-door body styles and is projected to deliver some of the best fuel consumption ratings in its class - 40 mpg.

Specifically, the car will employ a 1.6-liter DOHC I-4 engine that develops a maximum output of 119 horsepower and 109 lb-ft of torque. It features Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) and is mated to a standard five-speed manual transmission. Ford's PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission will be available as an option.

“Fuel economy leaders have traditionally been manual shift models,” said Pierro Aversa, team leader for transmissions. “Fiesta changes the game by offering an advanced PowerShift six-speed automatic that delivers maximum fuel economy.”

In terms of safety, the car comes with dual-stage first-row airbags, driver's knee airbag, side airbags and side curtain airbags, plus AdvanceTrac with ESC as standard. Seatbelt pretensioners, rear door child safety locks and a Safety Canopy system is available as well.

“For North America, the global Fiesta was tweaked, not re-designed or re-developed,” said Steve Pintar, chief engineer. “We built on the success of the European Fiesta and are really proud of how little has changed.”

Other feature highlights include a keyless entry and push button start, adjustable steering wheel and Ford's EasyFuel Capless Fuel-Filler system.

“Customers are savvy. They want expressive cars that deliver not just great fuel economy but also high quality, new technologies and a fun driving experience,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “We plan to answer the call with Fiesta; an all-new vehicle in North America we hope will set a new standard for small cars.”
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
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Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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