Meet the 2018 Ford Fiesta

Ford had a special event in Cologne, Germany tonight where it introduced the next-generation Fiesta.

It is clear that Ford didn't want to mess with the Fiesta's exterior design much. The basic shape is the same as the current one, but it appears some of the lines have been softened somewhat. It also looks like slightly larger, but Ford hasn't provided any dimensions to confirm this.

Ford has unveiled four versions that will appear in Europe:

• Titanium: Stylish
• ST-Line: Sporty looks
• Vignale: Luxury
• Active: Crossover-esq

Interior-wise, the Fiesta follows suit with the recently-announced EcoSport with new styling, improved materials, and an 8-inch touchscreen that floats above the center stack. Ford brags this new screen helped removed 20 buttons from the center stack (although we're a bit wary about that considering our experience with interfaces that rely heavily on touchscreens).

Not much is known about engines for the next Fiesta, but we wouldn't be surprised if it's comprised of three and four-cylinders running on gas and diesel for Europe. 

We'll likely learn more details about the North American-spec of the Fiesta in the coming months. Expect a launch sometime late next year, possibly around the same time as the EcoSport.

Source: Ford
Press Release is on Page 2

FORD REVEALS NEXT-GENERATION FIESTA, SMART MOBILITY NEWS AND MORE AT “GO FURTHER” EVENT

• Ford unveils the next-generation Ford Fiesta in four production variants – upscale Vignale, sporty ST-Line, stylish Titanium and Active crossover – at “Go Further” event  in Cologne
• Company outlines latest findings on life-enhancing qualities of self-driving cars, announces testing of autonomous cars on European roads will begin next year
• Multi-award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine will be the first three-cylinder engine in the world to enhance fuel efficiency with innovative cylinder deactivation technology
• Ford GT and heritage Ford GT40 race cars join exclusive LEGO Speed Champions range of models celebrating Ford’s emphatic win at Le Mans in 1966 and 2016

Ford Motor Company today delivered the global debut of the next-generation Ford Fiesta at a special “Go Further” event in Cologne, Germany.

Jim Farley, executive vice president and president, Europe Middle East and Africa, Ford Motor Company, was joined by Mark Fields, president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company, to unveil four new production versions of the next generation Fiesta to an audience of 2,500 dealers, employees and media at the company’s Cologne Niehl manufacturing facility – the home of Fiesta.

Supported by members of the Ford teams from around Europe who have helped to transform the company, Ford at Go Further also:
Revealed new research that underscores the potential for Ford’s self-driving vehicle technologies to improve quality of life for customers and announced testing of autonomous cars on European roads will begin next year
Unveiled distinctive and sporty new Ford Transit Custom Black Edition and Sport series vans; as well as the new Ford Edge ST-Line sports utility vehicle (SUV)
Announced new cylinder deactivation technology for the the multi-award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost – an industry first for a three-cylinder engine
Revealed that the Le Mans-winning 2016 Ford GT and 1966 Ford GT40 race cars will be available as part of the exclusive LEGO Speed Champions range of models
“Four years ago, at the first Go Further event, Ford promised a leaner, smarter business in Europe with great products and new technologies – and we’ve over-delivered through the talent, ingenuity and passion of our people,” Farley said.

“We have delivered an all-new SUV line-up; set the performance car segment alight with our Focus RS and Ford Mustang; strengthened the backbone of our business with our award-winning commercial vehicle range; and re-written the rulebook on compact engines with our 1.0-litre EcoBoost – and that’s before we get to the next generation Fiesta.”

Not one, not two, but four fun-to-drive Fiestas
Ford revealed four distinctive production variants of the next generation Fiesta: the stylish Fiesta Titanium, the Ford Performance-inspired Fiesta ST-Line, the upscale Fiesta Vignale and the Fiesta Active crossover.

Featuring an elegant exterior, ergonomic interior that offers a floating high-definition touchscreen and Ford’s sophisticated SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system, Fiesta also will be the first Ford to deliver a premium B&O PLAY Sound System.

The expanded Fiesta range will offer more personalisation options to customers than ever before, and enhances the sporty, fun to drive character that has delighted generations of customers.

The next-generation Ford Fiesta debuted with a spectacular unveil to music performed by the award-winning DJ Yoda assisted by a “YuMi” collaborative robot. Ford is among first auto makers to develop a new, closely integrated approach to car workers and collaborative robots working together on the assembly line. DJ Yoda and “YuMi” performed a setlist of tracks from 1976 onward in celebration of Fiesta’s 40th anniversary this year.

Smart Mobility for improved quality of life
A new Ford-commissioned European survey* has revealed that that drivers believe enjoying passing scenery, catching up with family and friends, and reading a book are among the main perceived benefits of travelling by self‑driving car.

Ford also announced the company will expand testing of autonomous cars to European roads next year, in addition to extensive testing in the U.S.

Ford is currently expanding into both an auto and a mobility company by pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility – its plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience data and analytics. The company is committed to making self-driving cars available for millions of people and earlier this year announced plans to triple its autonomous vehicle development fleet making it the largest of all automakers.

New Transit Custom Black Edition and expanded Sport series
The dynamic new Transit Custom Black Edition van offers four eye-catching colour schemes with contrasting roof, mirror caps, skid plate and side stripes, and unique black 17‑inch alloy wheels.

The Transit Custom Sport series van with signature twin bonnet stripes can also now be ordered in a much wider choice of bodystyles, including van, kombi and double-cab-in-van models in both short and long wheelbase versions. The Tourneo Custom people mover can be specified with the same Sport package.

These striking new Transit Custom and Tourneo Custom models are powered by the game-changing 170PS Ford EcoBlue diesel engine, and Tourneo Custom is also now offered with new features and technologies including a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, a unique-to-segment rear air suspension system, and attractive new 17-inch alloy wheels.

Ford also revealed the new Ford Edge ST-Line SUV – which joins the Ford Fiesta ST-Line, Focus ST-Line, Mondeo ST-Line and Kuga ST-Line models – delivering Ford Performance-inspired styling, high specification and powerful engines.

Award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost inspires industry-first innovation
Ford powertrain engineers have defied industry expectations to deliver cylinder deactivation technology that will improve fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions for the multi-award-winning 1.0‑litre EcoBoost engine, without sacrificing refinement.

Ford’s compact and powerful 1.0-litre EcoBoost will be the first three-cylinder engine in the world to feature cylinder deactivation. The technology can disengage or re-engage the cylinder in 14 milliseconds – 20 times faster than the blink of an eye – and combined with advanced solutions to counteract vibrations, will be imperceptible to drivers in terms of operation and engine performance.

Ford GT racers join exclusive LEGO range
Ford and The LEGO Group have joined forces to offer the 2016 Ford GT and 1966 Ford GT40 race cars as part of the exclusive LEGO Speed Champions range of models, featuring iconic high performance road and racing cars.

The two new buildable models follow in the tyre tracks of the popular Ford Mustang and Ford F‑150 Raptor pickup sets already on sale, and celebrate Ford’s motor racing achievements in the world-famous Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race.

Ford made an historic return to Le Mans this year, taking victory with the new Ford GT race car exactly 50 years after recording a 1-2-3 clean sweep at the 1966 race.

Ford Chip Ganassi Racing drivers Dirk Müller and the full WEC team – Andy Priaulx, Harry Tincknell, Olivier Pla and Stefan Mücke – represented Ford’s victorious 2016 Le Mans team at Go Further, where both the 1966 and 2016 race cars were on stage.

Further special guests joining Ford executives and European team members to celebrate the company’s contribution to sport included Sennan Fielding, a 20-year-old star of the Ford British F4 championship that features single-seat race cars powered by Ford’s 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine.