2011 Ford Fiesta details deduced

[xcel]

1.6L EcoBoost will probably not arrive in the first wave by all appearances?

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Nov. 4, 2009

Rows and rows of Fiesta's awaiting their FiestaMovement wraps earlier this spring.

Searching out the latest details on the upcoming North American variant of the 2011 Ford Fiesta, it appears as if Ford will be installing their “Best in Class” 6-speed Dual-Clutch PowerShift Transmission. What appears to be missing is possibly what we wanted and needed most. Namely, the 1.6L EcoBoost engine.

According to Ford, the U.S.-bound 2011 Fiesta will be a mpg contender powered by a fuel-efficient 1.6L Ti-VCT (twin independent variable cam timing) engine and “PowerShift” transmission.

1.6L EcoBoost

Ford’s 1.6L EcoBoost engine features turbocharging and a high pressure central-injector direct injection system. Using a high pressure central injector instead of a low pressure side-injector system provides improved fuel-air mixture preparation, helping to further reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions. A central injector-based system also provides the most flexible foundation for future fuel-saving technologies.

“We know that a central injection system is a prerequisite for future global fuel economy upgrades such as stratified lean operation, homogeneous charge compression ignition or HCCI, and premium injection system technology if the market demands,” said Martin Wirth, a Ford Direct Injection Gasoline Systems and Combustion technical specialist. “It’s a value solution that gives us the ability to answer market trends quickly and provide broad market coverage, a key component of the EcoBoost strategy to deliver an affordable, fuel-efficient engine technology at high volumes.”

TI-VCT varies the phase of the intake and exhaust cams independently for improved airflow through the engine, which delivers more torque while reducing average fuel consumption by up to 5 percent. “TI-VCT gives us better low-end torque and drive-away capabilities even under the stronger engine downsizing conditions,” said Wirth.

In Ford’s Lincoln C concept as seen in Detroit, the EcoBoosted 1.6L mated to the 6-speed PowerShift double clutch was spec’ed to achieve 43 mpgUS on the 08 EPA highway!

The possibility of EcoBoost still exists as Ford listed in features that some would like most, a Turbo-Kit.

“If you are looking for improved HP, Torque and heart stopping potential, select the Turbo Kit as one of the features you would like to see available on the vehicle coming stateside in early 2010.”

Why anyone would need a “Turbo Kit” with a standard 118 HP 1.6L engine in a less than 2,500 pound subcompact other then to get into trouble is anyone’s guess?

PowerShift

Ford announced earlier this year that it would introduce an advanced dual-clutch “PowerShift” six-speed automatic transmission (AT) into the North American marketplace by 2010. This announcement was not targeting a full or mid-sized automobile but for the first time in Ford's history, the North American small-car segment.

In Ford’s pre-build pages, they are listing the Gertrag sourced PowerShift by name as the Automatic transmission of choice.

PowerShift delivers the fuel efficiency of a manual gearbox with the convenience and ease of use of an AT. At the same time, the PowerShift 6-speed dual-clutch AT can reduce fuel consumption by up to 9-percent depending on application.

“PowerShift represents a true competitive advantage for Ford and is one of the many technologies that will help our global small car platforms set a new world standard for efficiency and drive quality,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Global Powertrain Engineering, who announced PowerShift’s production timing at the 2009 Automotive News World Congress. “This advanced six-speed is an improvement over today’s automatic transmissions in terms of fuel economy, while providing customers an even more fun-to-drive experience.”

Safety

Another “Best in Class” addition is the inclusion of 7-airbags. Std. front, side and side curtains will be a given but for the driver, I suspect a drivers side knee airbag will be standard making seven. In Europe, this is a $400 USD option. Along with (Anti-lock brakes) ABS, Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control (TC) may also be standard.

Technology

Listed as possibly standard equipment is a 4-inch multifunction display and an available Ford/MS SYNC system. You can use the screen or control panel buttons to control audio, Bluetooth enabled wireless phone and other vehicle settings. It may be the same lower resolution unit that is available on the higher trim level European Fiesta's today. If so, it is not all that pretty but appears to be functional.

Other available options will include Keyless entry and a Power Start button.

Prices, exact standard and optional features and FE per the EPA and what is worth is still unknown but as we approach its US reveal in LA next month, anticipation is certainly building and definitely worth waiting for

[brick]

If we're getting the 1.6L N/A and the 6-speed, the 1.6 EcoBoost won't be missed. About the only way to improve FE-wise would be something like a 1.2L EcoBoost if such a beast were to exist. Overall sounds like a nice little car.

[smart-za]

I agree with Tim: the 1.6 EcoBoost would be overkill in this car.

-Simon

[Nevyn]

I will third that. I've driven one of the Fiesta Movement cars with the NA 1.6 Ti-VCT and a 5-speed manual, and was getting 41 MPG without trying (according to the scangauge), while driving on hills. I was playing with it too, so wasn't trying very hard - I think if you gave one to Wayne you'd see 55-60 MPG. With the 6 speed tranny, I think it'll be even EASIER to get into the 50's.

[PaleMelanesian]

I have a 1.6L engine in a 2300 lb car. Mine only gives 107 hp, so this Fiesta's 118 should easily overcome the extra 200 lb. I'd expect them to perform similarly, but I'd give an edge to the Fiesta, with the MUCH more advanced engine control systems.

60+ easily, 70+ with some effort, and on a challenge route it could likely stretch to 100.

[St. Mushroom]

I read in an October Road & Track magazine that the Fiesta was coming to US as a sedan. Total BS?

[xcel]

Hi All:

___Tim has given us a good treatise on DI and Turbo-charging in the past but DI is supposedly worth another 5 to 7% IIRC and it has to do with running slightly lean in a region of the chamber. Additionally, you get 90% of the available torque down around 1,500 R’s vs. probably 2,000 + for the NA TI-VCT.

___In Europe, the 1.6L TI-VCT equipped Fiesta earns a 39.9 mpgUS combined rating on the NEDC which equates to approximately 32 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA. Probably a 27 city/38 highway rating? This is a far cry from the Insight’s or HCH-II’s 43 and 45 mpgUS highway ratings and Ford has had more than enough time to reach that level of highway FE with this lightweight platform. Albeit the Fiesta’s aero is a mess but .27 to .31 is not that much of a difference.

___And my reason for a possible disappointment is Ford may be leaving mpg on the table. The 6-speed Dual-clutch should give a tall enough ratio but if the engine cannot drive it efficiently at 1,500 R’s, Ford will be lowering its ratios for drivability that EcoBoost would have been able to overcome. This is not about HP, it is about FE and DI might be enough to boost the little Fiesta over 40 highway on the 08 EPA. There is not a person here that could not smash 50 but if the much heavier HCH-II with its underpowered 1.3 can run at 75 + on the highway all day long in summer time temps, why cannot the Fiesta touch 70 + during the same? The European 1.6L looks a little to “old school” for that?

___St. Mushroom, the 2011 Fiesta is coming as both a sedan and a 5-door hatch. The sedan is much better looking than the 20-year old design Focus sedan by a long shot

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[Nevyn]

Does that work for a sedan?

[tjts1]

Its all about the ECOBOOST!

[xcel]

Hi Nevyn:

___There are any number of 3, 4 and 5-door Fiesta pics in the gallery.

___Good Luck

___Wayne