Indian Autos blog

Will Ford introduce the new Fiesta during the first week of July? That’s what two readers, who seem to know all about the vehicle, wrote in to us swearing by their sources. The new Fiesta could land in showrooms next month for display and feedback purpose. Dealers will commence bookings with the initial deposit of not more than 40k rupees.

There’s no donut on the variants except for the understanding that the top-end (Titanium?) model is feature-laden. Voice-activated controls, chrome garnish, iPod connectivity, mobile phone pairing, parking sensors and alloy wheels will ensure the Fiesta draws second glances.

Meanwhile in Thailand, under actual driving conditions, the new Ford Fiesta demonstrated its class-leading fuel economy in a journey, mostly on highways, from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. The sedan, with automatic transmission, and a preset air-conditioner, returned 19.79kmpl. It did not run on over-inflated tires, use special fuel or weight-saving techniques. The results were verified by Dr Saiprasit Koetniyom, a professor from the Sirindhorn Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering at King Mongkut University of Technology.

During the unveiling in Delhi, Ford officials said the new Fiesta will have class-leading fuel economy.

When we caught up with Ford’s corporate communications division two days ago, they said the new Fiesta wouldn’t be launched this month. We are sure Ford is not going to keep it unwrapped till the festive season starts as the Hyundai Verna, with the shock wave its teaser campaign and variants have managed to create, will extend the head start with the help of everyone’ attention.

Ford dealers could be sent demo cars next month to collate public feedback. We’re expecting Ford to play the price card as the sheer number of new cars in this segment will strangle the Fiesta slowly over the next eight months. Ford might be waiting for the dust kicked up by the Verna to settle.

There are some useful features on the new Fiesta like voice-activated controls but even before driving the car, we’re almost certain that this will handle the corners better than the Nissan, Skoda or the Hyundai. But handling corners alone won’t increase footfalls in Ford dealerships.

In this spyshot posted on TheAutomotiveIndia, we see two variants side by side. The car on the left lacks chrome garnish along the windows and parking sensors.

How will Ford respond to the new Verna which is certain to punch above its weight?

While we are kept in the dark about the new Ford Fiesta‘ market introduction, we do know something about a deadly feature that the competition will praise with overtones of envy – Voice-activated controls.

Ford has published videos on its official channel demonstrating the usefulness of voice-activated controls. Not only is this feature significant from the comfort standpoint, but also in the purview of safety. So the voice-activated controls isn’t a lazy man’ feature. It’s also a safe man’ fancy.

One question we want to find an answer to is its compatibility to Indian vocal chords and accents. Will it work equally well in all Indian states?

click through to see the other two videos

For almost two years now Ford has been working on the new Fiesta. The study began back in early 2009, understanding what the customers are like in this segment.

Ford said that its new Fiesta saloon will have class-leading fuel efficiency. The ARAI test figures are not out yet, but for those who are anxious can take it for granted that it will be the best in the segment. Ford will position Fiesta as a premium B-Segment product.

Both the engines will be manufactured in Chennai and localization levels will be on the higher side. Changes made to the HVAC and ride height will suit Indian conditions better. Ford will not use “new” or a suffix on the naming of the car. It will adhere strictly to the One Ford global strategy where the customer has to be viewed the similar way, whether America or India.

The Classic variant presented last week seemed like a Fiesta built for the BPO operators and that was a tad disappointing to see given the Fiesta’ driver-seat USP. But day before yesterday was a different story. I spent just ten minutes with the new Fiesta and it gave me a good feeling. This is what a Fiesta should really be like. It looks nothing like what you see today in India because it sticks to Ford’s tradition of being a fun to drive car. At least it seems like it.

Ford now sells 3 versions of the Fiesta in India – the Figo is the previous generation Fiesta, the Classic is a sedan on that platform and the new Fiesta is the current generation model.

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Ford unveils the New Ford Fiesta in Delhi.

The most awaited sedan was officially unveiled today in the nation’s capital. IAB is at Select City Walk, Central Atrium in Saket, Delhi bringing you these updates. After being spied countlessly on the Indian streets, Ford has finally taken the wraps of the new Fiesta and boy is it gorgeous to look at!

Ford is going all guns blazing with the new Fiesta Model. The new Fiesta is available in 2 engine options:

* TiVCT Petrol
* TDCi Diesel

The Fiesta is also loaded with features such as:

* USB / Aux-in connectivity
* Steering mounted controls
* Voice activated control system
* Electronic Cruise Control system
* Mobile inspired center console
Because the Sedan holds a higher aspirational value in the mindset of the consumer, Ford is unveiling the sedan first in India.

Ford is targeting “Ajai” who is a young, tech-savvy individual who would frequent malls and entertainment centers much like where the new Fiesta has been unveiled.

Sadly, this is not a launch so no prices are disclosed yet. Another odd thing to notice is that this car will be on display in Delhi for the next 3 months, So is it that Ford will officially launch the car after 3 months?

Ford has called the display area as “Fiesta Cafe” where mall goers can experience the new Fiesta in flesh and learn more about the features by flipping through them on a TV screen that responds to the movement of the person’ hand in front.

But if you are from Delhi, then we suggest you head to Select City Walk mall to have a detailed look at the car because the car will be left behind for masses to see.

If you are not from Delhi, why don’t you flip through the brochure that our good friends at The AutomotiveIndia have given us

We are awaiting your thoughts as always

TheAutomotiveIndia is airing spyshots of the new Fiesta sedan in a well-protected enclosure that reveal color options for the Indian market – blue, dark green and light gray. It is a n- brainer that Ford will offer white and black in addition to these.

The one variant to watch out for will be black (caught testing recently) with oodles of chrome. The promising new Fiesta will be revealed for the Indian market in Delhi on April 14. Ford is getting the 1.6-liter petrol engine with variable valve timing and a 1.6-liter diesel engine capable of sending 90bhp to the front wheels to India initially.

It is official! Ford will “reveal” the new Fiesta sedan in Delhi on the 14th (Thursday) of April.

Note that this is not a launch, but an unveiling where variants and prices for the Indian market might not necessarily be outlined.

The new Fiesta sedan will be positioned in the segment currently dominated by the likes of the VW Vento and Honda City. It’ll not be short of company as both Hyundai, with their new Verna and Nissan, with its Sunny, are raring to go this year.

The new Fiesta comes with either a 1.6-liter petrol engine with variable valve timing or a new 1.6-liter diesel engine capable of producing 90bhp. Automatic transmission option might not be offered at launch.