Super Fuel Economy Package on 2011 Fiesta

Special attention to Alfadriver, and everyone else:

Reading the WSJ article about fuel economy mandates and the new Fiesta. It said:

"The Fiesta with a manual five-speed transmission is rated at 37 mpg on the highway. But spring for the "PowerShift" six-speed automatic, which uses a double-clutch system increasingly common in Europe, and the Fiesta's rated highway mileage pops up to 40 mpg."

Hmmm... I get that a twin-clutch might get marginally better mileage around town, but on the highway only a gearing change would likely make a 10% improvement. So I downloaded the brochure, which says: Manual (5-speed) 29/38 mileage; Powershift (6-speed) 30/38; Powershift with SFE package 30/40.

[Brochure says mileage figures are estimates, which probably explains the difference from the WSJ article.] No gear ratios are given.

So the SFE does get 5% better highway mileage. Cool, so OK, what's the SFE package? The Super Fuel Economy package includes "side tire deflectors, underbody shields, lower grill blocker, cruise control" and T-rated tires on 15" wheels. It's only available on the mid-level SE with the twin-clutch transmission. The top SEL gets 16" wheels.

So, Ford is touting the 40 MPG number all over the brochure. Yes, it's something to be proud of and worth bragging about. 40 MPG is good for a gas-engined modern car.

But why not equip ALL the Fiestas so they get better 5% highway mileage? It seems only the tire deflectors (I assume these are little aero bits in front of or behind each tire), underbody shields and grill blocker would be necessary; I'm sure these are all plastic bits that are quite inexpensive to make by the 100,000s and cheap to install. I'm guessing even the base S 5-speed would see the same improvement from 38 to 40.

Is this a way to get people to upgrade to the SE? Why is cruise part of this package? My point is that I wish Ford installed the SFE on every Fiesta so they could brag about 40 MPG without a little asterisk. I think the Fiesta will help Americans realize that small cars can be great transportation and that (for most people most of the time) big cars are a luxury, not a necessity. So I'm not razzing Ford or the Fiesta, but why not go the extra little bit to install it on every Fiesta?

I bet Ford sells a ton of these from the dealership parts department as buyers install them on their own. Maybe this is so the parts departments make more money?

Wishing Ford and the new Fiesta the best, But Scratching My Head, David

I have only 300 miles on my SE with the 6spd and have not used quite 1/2 tank of gas. Tank holds 12.4 gallons. I think I am not getting 50 mpg. The computer says 30+. I will be taking a 300 +/- leaf peaking trip tomorow, so I will have a better idea. This is a great car. You almost forget you are driving an economy car. True the accessories bring the price up fast.

Maybe in a couple of years they'll "upgrade" the Fiesta by making these items standard across all models. Sort of like how eventually every Focus became a ZX# of some kind, where the ZX3 was the top of the line at one point (before the SVT).

Maybe in a couple of years they'll "upgrade" the Fiesta by making these items standard across all models.

I think this is it. I think a lot of times manufacturers use the least tricks they can get away with while still maintaining the position they want in the market. That way it is a lot easier to keep the model interesting over its lifespan with periodic upgrades.

Im glad small cars are gaining a bigger and bigger foothold.

However i dont think the 40mpg number is really bragworthy... plenty of saturns have been able to do that since the early 90s.. the 2.0/4spd auto Mazda3 i sold this year could do 42 on the highway, and my Insight never averages less than 50.

But they're not competing against precedent.. they're trying to sell to a consumer base who still thinks 25mpg is pretty good.

I'd rather drive the (nicer) Fiesta than a Saturn (or Neon, for that matter), but you got me on the Mazda3...since they don't really drive like an "economy car" either.

Nathan

Now if they dropped a hayabusa motor in the car then I might buy one. But i'm looking forward to a focus turbo next year or so, well providing they give us some of the euro goodies.

Andrew

i think the new Ken Block video will sell more new Fiestas for Ford than the rated mpg numbers will. most people that worry primarily about absolute mpg numbers are going to buy a hybrid of some sort..

why do some people (not anyone here, of course) think these mpg numbers are so great?

manufacturers play with the cars to get a good mpg rating in the packages they want to sell the most of- Chevy even plays games with the new Camaro to make it look like the 6 speed automatic trans gets better mileage behind a V8 than the 6 speed manual- but they only offer the manual with the most powerful engine that doesn't have vvt and cylinder deactivation and the automatic only comes with a less powerful V8 that has vvt and cylinder deactivation. i think they also play the same game with the base V6 models, too. it's almost like they are trying to make manual transmissions into some sort of a guilty pleasure or something..

i know of Festivas and Metros from the late 80's and early 90's that were averaging close to 50mpg- and the Festivas had carburetors. granted, they weren't cushy rides by any measure, but they pulled the mpg number and got you where you wanted to go.

my 97 Cavalier with over 200,000 miles on it was averaging 38.5mpg in the summer and i had a couple of tanks that got perilously close to 40mpg. that car was actually fairly comfortable to live with every day and the AC even worked about half of the time.

it might also be ego. Just as the prius has "Hybrid" plastered all over it, the Fiesta with "SFE" on it's rump might gather wannabe greenies like honey grabs flies.

I like the Fiesta and 40mpg isn't bad but we had 50mpg non-hybrids 20 years ago in CRX's.

GM has been doing this with the the Cobalt for at least a few years. They call it the XFE, probably a takeoff of the XFI, which, if i recall was the winner of the MPG wars of the 90's.

PubBurgers wrote: I like the Fiesta and 40mpg isn't bad but we had 50mpg non-hybrids 20 years ago in CRX's.

I agree.

My 1996 civic has done 46 mpg on the highway and gets 42 regularly. My old crx did about the same, but I beat the the hell out of it.

My 1996 civic has done 46 mpg on the highway and gets 42 regularly. My old crx did about the same, but I beat the the hell out of it.

Oh jeebus, the three most oft-repeated phrases on this board have to be:

"Miatas are the protector of all that is holy in cardom"

"I'd rock that if I had the money"

"My old Civic got better economy than these newer POS"

Um, OK. Thanks for the new info.

In reply to kreb:

As long as car companies keep repeating "zomg our new car gets 35mpg, how amazing!" I'll keep repeating "So does my 25 year old (insert awesome 80's economy car here)."

I guess I could mention that even though the Fiesta looks good, it doesn't look terribly different than most other hatchbacks. At least 80's/early 90's cars had style.

Jacques

If I was to get in a car accident I'd rather be in a 40mpg '11 Fiesta than a 40mpg '90 CRX. I can understand the arguments against the newer cars though, despite the better crashworthiness manufacturers should have been able to apply technology over the past 20 years to improve efficiency. Instead most were concentrating on what the market wanted, ginormous SUVs. Can't really blame them for wanting to make a buck.

Has anybody in this thread even driven a Fiesta? I have. A 2011 hatch in the killer Lime Green, just like Clarkson's. I've had an 80's Civic (and Escort, and a 90's Saturn). Yes, it might "only" match them on MPG, but it does that number with an infinitely better ride, absolutely luxurious interior, and superior crash protection. PLUS it is still fun to drive, has quite a bit of room, and actually has some style.

I don't understand the GRM hate for this car, it's exactly what you were clamoring for; MPG that matches your 80's/90's whatever while still driving with a soul and having all of the modern goodness like a real radio, TWO outside mirrors, the ability to survive a crash, the ability to haul 4 full-size adults in comfort (plus their stuff), and can still tear up the autocross course.

I think the reason why this SFE "package" is not available across the whole Fiesta line MIGHT have to do with driving dynamics as much as cost.

Several folks who have driven Fiestas with the auto box have complained that it "hunts" between gears too much. Is this condition made worse when the SFE package is installed or does it become noticeable ONLY when the SFE package is installed? I imagine that cruise is part of the package because it allows a constant speed/fuel mileage to be maintained with the result of a CONSTANT 40 mpg.

My '97 Civic DX will ALMOST get 40+ mpg on the interstate but to get those numbers I must:

maintain a speed of 65 mph and when on upgrades I can't tip into the gas all that much. I also can't make a lot of rest / food / fuel stops, 1 every 2 1/2 to 3 hours will do it, more often will drop fuel mileage.

My "beef" with the Fiesta ads on tv is that they make it look like ANY and EVERY Fiesta will get 40 mpg.

I drove the non-SFE Fiesta with the Autotragic and achieved 38MPG actual. Give me a manual and it would have been well over 40. The auto hunts for gears constantly. (Too be fair, so did the auto in the 2011 V6 Mustang 'Vert I drove a few days ago, it's stupid gas mileage programming).

kreb wrote:

My 1996 civic has done 46 mpg on the highway and gets 42 regularly. My old crx did about the same, but I beat the the hell out of it.

Oh jeebus, the three most oft-repeated phrases on this board have to be: "Miatas are the protector of all that is holy in cardom" "I'd rock that if I had the money" "My old Civic got better economy than these newer POS" Um, OK. Thanks for the new info.

you forgot..

"the p71 is the best car ever"

and

"Margie is making an extension to her patio"

It's not that I don't like the Fiesta, i think it's a really cool car. We need more smallish hatchbacks (and station wagons!) to choose from. Hell, my DD only gets 20mpg on a good day.

Unfortunately, the probably won't be in my budget until they're 20 years old or so.

Jacques

Judging by the GRM review, the CR-Z is now on my radar when I start looking for a new car in 2ish years.

I was thinking the fiesta, or mazda 2, but if the Z is really that good, I will at least test one...

Javelin wrote: Yes, it might "only" match them on MPG, but it does that number with an infinitely better ride, absolutely luxurious interior, and superior crash protection. PLUS it is still fun to drive, has quite a bit of room, and actually has some style.

First you say it drives like an old Cadillac (cushy ride, luxury interior, crash protection) but then you say it's fun to drive?

Doesn't compute.

I WANT a bare bones interior. I liked my B12-chassis Sentra. There should be nothing but flat cardboard and flat plastic inside the car. There should be no center console.

Javelin wrote: Has anybody in this thread even *driven* a Fiesta? I have. A 2011 hatch in the killer Lime Green, just like Clarkson's. I've had an 80's Civic (and Escort, and a 90's Saturn). Yes, it might "only" match them on MPG, but it does that number with an infinitely better ride, absolutely luxurious interior, and superior crash protection. PLUS it is still fun to drive, has quite a bit of room, and actually has some style. I don't understand the GRM hate for this car, it's exactly what you were clamoring for; MPG that matches your 80's/90's whatever while still driving with a soul and having all of the modern goodness like a real radio, TWO outside mirrors, the ability to survive a crash, the ability to haul 4 full-size adults in comfort (plus their stuff), and can still tear up the autocross course.

I don't need to add anything, just repeat it.

As long as we sell a lot of them for a profit, I don't really care.
Eric

In reply to Javelin:

Wait, we are supposed to hate the Fiesta? I thought it was the one new car that more people around here have been excited about.

I don't have any beef for this car. I like it a ton. I got to sit in one the other day and the interior fit and finish was top notch. It is like my current civic, just nicer and less clapped out.

My beef is 40mpg isn't really something to brag about..... That car should be getting in the 60mpg range...