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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, April 28, 2010 · 20 The 2011 Ford Fiesta offers 15 class-exclusive technologies, including a 4-inch multifunctional display, SYNC voice-activated connectivity, seven standard airbags and a fuel-efficient four cylinder engine. It will be available at Canadian dealers this summer as a four-door sedan and five-door hatchback. 2010 Ford Fiesta `offers Canadians a new and vibrant economy option' Continued from page 19 Rear seating requires compromise from the front row occupants but, this is a small car, after all, and it is as comfortable as its size allows. The first-row buckets and 60/40 split second-row come in cloth or leather with front heated surfaces available in both textures. Under the hood, a 1.6-litre DOHC I-4 engine makes 120 hp at 6,350 rpm and 112 lb/ft of torque at 5,000 rpm. Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (TiVCT) allowed the engine to be downsized for fuel economy without compromise of throttle response or performance. The Fiesta held its own on the streets of San Francisco or cruising the Pacific Coast Highway. Like most small engines, it makes the most of its power through proper gearing, in this case harnessing either a fivespeed manual or a new, industry-exclusive PowerShift six-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission ($1,250). Ford boasts an early projected 40 mpg highway average but Transport Canada has returned even more optimistic numbers (see below). I managed only a dismal 8.7L/100km. Well, not that dismal, really, because I was flogging the car unmercifully and having way too much fun on spiraling mountain roads to worry about fuel economy. We'll probably never see Europe's variety of engines, including the 1.6-litre diesel that rivals the Prius hybrid's fuel economy numbers, unless fuel prices go through the roof. But I wouldn't be surprised to see Ford add an Ecoboost turbo version in a year or two, just to re-spike driver interest. The 2011 Ford Fiesta will start at $12,999 in Canada. Ford Fiesta 2011 At A Glance: BODY STYLE: four-door subcompact sedan; five-door hatchback DRIVE METHOD: front engine, frontwheel-drive ENGINE: 1.6-litre DOHC I4 engine (120 hp, 112 lb/ft) with five-speed manual or six-speed automatic PROJECTED FUEL ECONOMY: Manual 7.1/5.3L/100km (city/hwy); Auto 6.9/5.1L/100km (city/hwy) PRICES: Fiesta 4-Door Sedan S $12,999 Fiesta 4-Door Sedan SE - $16,099 Fiesta 4-Door Sedan SEL - $18,199 Fiesta 5-Door SE ­ $16,799 Fiesta 5-Door SES - $18,899 WEB SITE: ford.ca Sure, that's a bit of a "stripper" model, $1,000 cheaper than an American entry version that starts with air conditioning, but even the base five-speed manual sedan comes with seven airbags, halogen headlights, ABS, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), power mirrors, tilt/telescopic steering, tachometer, tire pressure management systems and 4-speaker AM/FM/Aux audio. Regardless of trim level, the 2011 Ford Fiesta offers Canadians a new and vibrant economy car option with class-leading levels of performance and content, accented with European styling élan. It is aimed squarely at competitors like the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris and has beaten its domestic rivals out of the gate ­ the Chevy Spark and Chrysler's rebadged Fiat 500. And, best of all for Ford, the 2011 Fiesta is going to be a surefire hit.