First Drive: 2009 Ford Fiesta (Euro-spec)

Twenty-five year-old females in Milan. According to global product development chief Derrick Kuzak, that's who Ford is hoping to satisfy with the new Fiesta. Well honestly now, who isn't? But that's some ambitious target, to attract the attention of the most trend-savvy (make that trend-setting) demographic in the world capital of fashion.

We didn't pass through Milan while driving the new Fiesta through the Italian countryside, and so, to our dismay, didn't have a chance to test out that particular target. But we did pass by a local road works crew on the winding mountain passes of Tuscany, dutifully working to keep that legendary tarmac silky smooth. They reacted to the Fiesta as if the car were the twenty-five year-old Milanese fashion model, taking notice as we approached and turning to ogle as we passed by. (They may have been shouting cat calls too, but we wouldn't have heard them from inside the Fiesta's whisper-quiet cabin.) That may be an even greater testimony to the new Fiesta's styling than the Blue Oval crew had hoped for. As for our impressions, and why readers in America and around the world alike should take note, just follow the jump to read on.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Ford Fiesta

2008 Ford Fiesta Zetec S.

The appeal of the exciting Ford Fiesta line-up continues to expand with the debut of a new sporty, feature-packed special edition – the Zetec S Red. Just 400 new Zetec S Red special editions, representing 10 per cent of all Zetec S models, will be available, priced at £13,000.
The “Red” edition follows the success of the popular radian yellow “Anniversary” and lime green “Celebration” models which sold out within weeks of their launch last year. Ford Fiesta has been in the top three best-selling vehicles in Britain every month this year with 42,895 models sold up to the end of May - almost 20 per cent of the British small car market.

With the zesty yet thrifty1.6-litre, 100PS petrol engine, Zetec S Red features Colorado red paintwork with chequered flag roof decal. Dark privacy glass on the rear windows and panther black features: door mirrors, door handles, bodyside mouldings, roof spoiler and tailgate handle, all add to the stylish look. Also standard are Quickclear® heated front windscreen, ebony leather seats, 16in alloy wheels, air conditioning and heated electrically-operated door mirrors.

99 g/km CO2 Fiesta coming "soon" to Europe

Soon after the new Ford Fiesta launches in Eurpe in July, a version "with 99 grams per kilometer CO2 will come very quickly," Ford of Europe Chairman Lewis Booth has told Automotive News Europe. This is the EcoNetic version of the Fiesta, which was announced at the Geneva Motor Show, and would essentially have "conventional technology" underhood, Booth said. By using options like low rolling resistance tires, different gear ratios and aerodynamic tweaks, a sub-100 g/km CO2 version is possible. The Fiesta is Ford's global small car, so the low-emissions option should be welcomed no matter where you live. In the U.S., Ford says the American Fiesta will be well-equipped and profitable right from the get-go. BusinessWeek is reporting today that the Fiesta might also soon makes its way to India.