U.S. Market 2012 Ford Fiesta Gets Three New Custom Packages

Ford's Fiesta sub-compact has gained three new packages, two for the interior and one for the exterior, for the 2012 model year. The two interior packages are the Race Red and Oxford White and offer a personalized appearance with two-tone colored components.

Said to be inspired from the world of fashion and available on the Fiesta SEL and SES models, the interior packages feature contrasting interior accent colors on the center console, door panels and rings that surrounding the air vents.

The two-tone leather seats and steering wheel feature contrast stitching, while the shift knob is covered in black leather. Finally, the seats are also decorated with a debossed “Fiesta” logo.

For the exterior, Ford proposes a styling package inspired by the Euro-spec Ford Focus RS, which includes several parts painted in Tuxedo Black, such as the side mirrors, headlights, grille surround, license plate holder and rear spoiler.

Other components include the 16-inch polished alloy wheels and a shorter final drive ratio (from 4.07 to 4.25) for models equipped with a manual transmission. Ford didn't say if this modification changes performance figures such as acceleration and/or top speed.

“The Fiesta customer loves accessories and personalization. These packages extend the desire the customer has to make the car more tailored to his or her own personal tastes,” said Lew Echlin, Ford Global Car marketing manager.

Ford said that 40 percent of Fiesta buyers choose at least one accessory for their cars, with more than 26,000 Ford Custom Accessories items being sold to date.

PHOTO GALLERY

New Video of Ford’s 2012 Focus ST Hot Hatch

Ford’s European arm has released yet another video of its upcoming Focus ST sport hatch that’s expected to hit the market early next year. There’s nothing new to see per se as the company has already published numerous teaser films in the months following the car’s introduction at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

As a reminder, the hottest version of the new generation Focus (that is, until Ford decides to resurrect the RS nameplate in the near future) will be propelled by a force-fed 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine cranking out 250 ponies and 360 Nm / 265 lb ft of torque. The show car was equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels, but there’s a good chance the production model will also be offered with a dual clutch transmission. Hit the jump for the video.

VIDEO

Ford’s "Motorsport-Inspired" Ka Grand Prix Packs a...Whopping 69 Ponies

This flashy-looking Ford Ka is a new limited edition version of the company’s city car called Grand Prix, of which only 120 units will be produced for the Netherlands with sales set to start at the end of the month. Ford says the car is inspired by racing, but that may apply only to the design, since power comes from a modest -to say the least- 1.2-liter 69HP engine, fitted with Ford's Auto Start-Stop system.

The city car's paintwork features contrasting vivid colors and a stripe that Ford refers to as “pretty”. A large rear spoiler and 16-inch alloy wheels complete the special edition Ka's sportier look. The stripe, grille and the side mirrors are painted in a different color from the rest of the bodywork, while the interior features seats colored in red and white, plus red leather on the steering wheel, handbrake lever and gear knob. In addition, white trim can be found on the dashboard, steering wheel and door panels.

Standard equipment includes ABS, four airbags, air conditioning, remote central locking, electric windows, audio system with CD player, heated door mirrors and height-adjustable steering wheel and driver's seat.

The starting price in Holland for the Ka Grand Prix is €10,995 ($15,580), with the car being available in two liveries: Sunrise with Chrystal White accents or Chrystal White with Sunrise accents (the latter costing an extra €200).

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

Loder1899 Gives the New Ford C-Max More Attitude and Power

It’s been a while since we last heard of Loder1899, but the German tuning house is back with a new proposal, this time for Ford’s new C-Max compact minivan. The tuner’s offerings include both performance tweaks and aerodynamic bits.

Engine modifications concern the 2.0-liter TDCi turbocharged diesel four-pot that produces 163-horsepower and 340Nm of peak torque in stock form for a 0-100km/h [62mph] sprint time of 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 210km/h [131mph]. Loder1899’s performance package lifts these numbers to 190HP and 390Nm respectively, allowing the C-Max to complete the standard sprint in 8.3 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 213km/h [132mph].

Additional changes include an aerodynamics kit complete with a front apron, rear apron with a diffuser, side skirts and a rear spoiler lip. A stainless steel sport exhaust system and a suspension kit that lowers the C-Max’s ride height by around 35mm are also available. The package is complemented by a choice of alloy wheels in sizes from 17- to 20-inches.

According to Loder1899, most parts are also suitable for the 7-seater version of the minivan called the Grand C-Max, which is slated to go on sale in the U.S. within the next year.

TECHNICAL DATA [from Loder1899]

Prices and parts for the “Loder1899” C-Max
Suitable for Ford C-Max and Ford Grand C-Max
Frontspoiler: 249 Euro
Rear diffuser: 290 Euro
Rear spoiler lip: 159 Euro
Stainless steel exhaust system two pipes: In Preparation
Lowering kit (-35mm): 169 Euro
Rims:
Wheel Porto 8x18 silver incl. tire 235/35R18 365 Euro/rim
Wheel W1 8.5x18 black/matte incl. tire 235/35R18 395 Euro/rim
Wheel Mauris 8x19 black/polish incl. tire 235/35R19 498 Euro/rim
Wheel Vertigo Viginti 9x20 black incl. tire 235/30R20 688 Euro/rim
Competitively priced wheel WP: 8.5x18 incl. tire 235/40R18: prices start at 324 Euro
Motor management/Performance increase: 849 Euro
“Loder1899” package: excluding paint job and assembly from 3.015 euro
List price: Ford C-Max (Gemany) from 25.100 euro
Ford C-Max with Loder1899 package: from 28.115 euro

PHOTO GALLERY

Lincoln Brand and Porsche 911 Top JD Power's 2011 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study

Ford's luxury division Lincoln moved up one spot in the annual JD Power reliability study to gain the title of most reliable brand sold in the U.S., ahead of Lexus and Jaguar. The industry overall vehicle dependability has also improved compared to 2010, but automakers still have problems with new technologies and features.

The 2011 study takes into account problems experienced in the past 12 months by more than 43,700 original owners of three-year-old cars (2008 model year). JD Power determines the overall dependability by the level of Problems encountered Per 100 vehicles (PP100). A lower score reflects higher quality and the good news is the overall vehicle dependability averaged 151 PP100, the best value since the creation of the study.

With a score of 101, Lincoln was the top brand, improving by 13 PP100 from the previous year. The list with the top five brands include Lexus, Jaguar, Porsche and Toyota, with the most reliable model being the Porsche 911, with only 68 problems per 100 vehicles.

Seven Toyota-made cars came first in their segments, the most victories for an automaker: Lexus RX, Scion xB and the Toyota-branded 4Runner, Prius, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra. The Japanese automaker was followed by Ford Motor Company, with four models (Ford Fusion, Ford Mustang, Lincoln MKZ and Lincoln Navigator). Next came GM (Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS, and Chevrolet Tahoe) and Honda (Acura RL, Honda CR-V and Honda Fit). Other cars that topped their categories were the BMW X3 (although the brand ranked below average), the Mazda MX-5 and the Mercedes-Benz CLK.

Even if the industry is showing overall improvements in reliability, JD Power stresses that automakers register an increased rate of problems with electronic features such as audio, entertainment and navigation systems, as well as with new safety features, such as tire pressure monitoring systems.

“Automakers, as a whole, have made significant improvements in reducing traditional problems, particularly with vehicle interiors; engines and transmissions; and steering and braking during the past several years,” said David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power and Associates. “However, as manufacturers add new features and technologies to satisfy customer demand and new legislation, they face the potential for introducing new problems,” he added.

Scroll down to take a look at the winners and losers of JD Power's 2011 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study.

By Dan Mihalascu

Source: J.D. Power

JD Power's 2011 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study

_______________________________________________________________________

PHOTO GALLERY