Ford Launches Limited Edition Fiesta Sport+ with 134 Ponies in Europe

Ford is expanding the Fiesta’s European lineup with the Sport+ limited edition based on the three-door variant, and boasting several exterior and interior appointments, plus a tweaked 1.6-liter gasoline engine in order to attract more performance-oriented customers.

On the outside, the Sport+ (dubbed Sport S in Germany and S1600 in the UK) is set apart from its more mundane siblings by the custom Performance Blue or Frozen White paintjob with contrasting racing stripes and comprehensive bodykit that includes a new front bumper, wider side skirts, roof-mounted spoiler and rear diffuser with integrated twin-pipe exhaust. The special Fiesta rides on 17-inch alloys, also finished in white.

Inside, the driver and passenger get sport seats with blue stitching, while the leather steering wheel, handbrake handle and gear knob, side airbags and Motorsport-branded floor mats and scuff plates are all part of the standard equipment list.

However, the biggest change is the spiced up 1.6-liter Duratec Ti-VCT four-pot, delivering 134HP and 160 Nm (118 lb-ft) of torque or 14HP and 8 Nm (6 lb-ft) more than the regular engine. While this doesn’t seem like a major improvement, the Fiesta Sport+ sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.7 seconds, 1.2 seconds faster than the 120HP 3-door variant. Top speed is pegged at 195 km/h (121 mph).

With a base price of €18,090 (US $24,440 at today’s exchange rates) in Germany, the Sport+ is also available in the UK, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium.

2011 Ford Fiesta

* Ford is hosting a casting call to find the most unique and stylish individuals to represent the 2011 Ford Fiesta for an “Inspired By Color” program which takes place this week on Howard University’s campus in Washington, D.C.

* Five individuals will be selected and will appear in a national advertisement for the Fiesta which will hit TV screens this Spring

* R&B Singer LeToya Luckett, eBay Style Director Constance White, Fashion Innovator and Parrish Clothing Founder Tony Shellman and Ford Fiesta Designer Kevin George to serve as official judges for the program along with Event Host Kenny Burns

* The Fiesta goes on sale this summer and features an expressive, vibrant design, sharp reflexes, and a global track record that will redefine U.S. small car customers’ expectations

Imagine using a vehicle that comes in colors like Lime Squeeze, Bright Magenta, Red Candy and Yellow Blaze as your inspiration while getting dressed. Imagine if your personal style and your understanding of the vehicle could land you in one of Ford Motor Company’s upcoming national television spots.

Ford is offering the chance for five unique and stylish individuals to do just that as the company kicks off Inspired By Color, a casting call event tied to the 2011 Ford Fiesta that will take place on Howard University’s campus this week in Washington, D.C.

Inspired by Color invites participants to let the fresh design and colors of the new Fiesta inspire them as they show off their unique style while tying it back to the colors and distinct features of the Fiesta. Participants will show up to Day One of the casting call where they will flex their style muscle for the chance to be one of 30 individuals selected for Day Two of the casting call event. Ultimately, five finalists will be selected by a panel of judges that will include R&B Singer LeToya Luckett; Fashion Powerhouse and eBay Style Director Constance White; Fashion Innovator and Parrish Clothing Founder Tony Shellman and Fiesta Designer Kevin George.

Wallpapers 2011 Ford Fiesta

Wallpapers 2011 Ford Fiesta

Wallpapers 2011 Ford Fiesta

Wallpapers 2011 Ford Fiesta

We wanted to create a unique program that truly embodies the spirit of the Fiesta, said Crystal Worthem, multicultural marketing manager, Ford Motor Company. This program allows us to tap into the distinct features and style of the vehicle in a way that is relevant to some of the target consumers of this vehicle. We are excited about the opportunity to hold such a massive casting call in a city that speaks fashion, while also bringing along some of the experts in the field of fashion to help us execute the program.

A mixture of local radio, targeted online/mobile, posters and street teams were deployed in order to create awareness and buzz around the “Inspired By Color” casting call. Potential participants were then directed to www.fordurban.com where they had to view the car, including some of its class-leading technologies and features and then select the color that inspired them the most. Once they’ve chosen a color, they will wear an outfit they’ve been inspired to put together to the casting call.

In addition to the panel of celebrity judges, a team of “Fashionista’s,” which includes Project Runway Star Michael Knight will comb the line of attendee’s to select individuals to provide sound bytes live from the event.

Wallpapers 2011 Ford Fiesta

Wallpapers 2011 Ford Fiesta

Wallpapers 2011 Ford Fiesta

Wallpapers 2011 Ford Fiesta

The program will also include a custom interactive eZine entitled Inspired By Color that will launch following the campaign and will recap the entire program with additional issues to follow leading up to and immediately after the 2010 BET Awards.

The event will take place April 13-15 on Howard University’s campus, Undergraduate Library Rooftop. Pre-Registration is now closed but limited walk-ups are available on April 13.

For more information on the program, please visit www.fordurban.com

2011 Ford Fiesta: A hit before leaving the gate

Thanks to the success of the Fiesta Movement social media initiative – which has generated more than 6.2 million YouTube views, more than 750,000 Flickr views and nearly 4 million Twitter impressions – more than 100,000 people have already expressed an interest in the 2011 Ford Fiesta.

Going on sale this summer, the all-new Fiesta features an expressive, vibrant design, sharp reflexes, and a global track record that will redefine U.S. small car customers’ expectations. Featuring class-leading technologies and a projected best-in-class highway fuel economy of

40 mpg, Fiesta brings efficiency and convenience together in one package.

It’s also designed to be versatile, personal and adaptable. In fact, Fiesta is expected to deliver best-in-class convenience and connectivity with the segment-exclusive SYNC® voice-activated communications system, as well as an expressive color palette and available graphics.

Wallpapers 2011 Ford Fiesta

Wallpapers 2011 Ford Fiesta

Wallpapers 2011 Ford Fiesta Interiour

Wallpapers 2011 Ford Fiesta Interiour

VW Golf Tops European Sales Chart in First Half of 2009, Ford Fiesta Finishes Second

Despite the heavy competition from the new Ford Fiesta that increased its sales in Europe by a hefty 34.2 percent to 243,340 units in the first half of 2009, VW's Golf continues to dominate the sales charts in the Old Continent with sales up 12.7 percent to 254,023 units in the same period, according to data released by Jato Dynamics. The rest of the top five list was rounded out by the Peugeot 207 with 193,778 units (-20,6 percent), the Opel - Vauxhall Corsa with 181,751 units (-14.1 percent) and the Renault Clio with 144,512 units (-28.0 percent).

Notably, the first ten places were occupied exclusively by European automakers - okay Opel / Vauxhall (at least for the time being) and Ford are controlled by their American parent companies.

Volkswagen was also Europe's top-selling car brand in the first half of the year with 842,787 vehicles sold, up 0.7 percent over the same period in 2008. Ford finished in second place with 666,548 units, down 3.6 percent over last year, followed by GM's Opel - Vauxhall division with 557,739 units (-16.8 percent), Fiat with 542,115 units (-1.4 percent) and Renault with 520,763 units (-18.4 percent).

Data: Jato Dynamics