European customers bought Fiestas at a rate of one every 100 seconds during the first quarter for 2013 – 41,600 in March, and 77,800 total in the first three months of 2013 – 14,000 units more than its nearest rival, according to JATO.

Parked bumper-to-bumper the Fiestas sold during the first quarter would cover the equivalent of 770 laps of a 400 metre Olympic running track.

“It’s clear from the rate that our new Fiesta is flying off forecourts that its striking a chord with Europe’s small car customers,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe.  “The small car segment is probably more competitive than it has ever been and the new Fiesta is gaining retail market share and reaching new customers on the strength of its design, technology and drive dynamics.”

According to the same data, the Fiesta’s retail share – sales to private customers – in its segment rose by 1.2 percentage points in March. Incoming orders from customers also increased by 8 per cent in the first quarter, compared to the same period last year.

One quarter of Fiestas sold this year in Europe were equipped with the new 1.0-liter EcoBoost.

The most popular color to date is Frozen White, chosen by 23 per cent of customers – rising to 40 per cent in Greece – followed by Panther Black and Moondust Silver. Fifty-five per cent of Fiesta buyers have opted for the Charcoal Black interior, including 84 per cent of U.K. customers.

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Though the car has not yet undergone EPA testing, Ford expects this Fiesta to be certified as the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid car available in the United States.

To be the smallest engine available in its class, Ford said its patented 1.0-liter EcoBoost won’t be short on power, torque or refinement. The engine is projected to produce 123 horsepower and peak torque of 148 pound -feet.

“Customers are going to be pleasantly surprised at what the smallest member of the EcoBoost engine family can do,” said Joe Bakaj, Ford vice president of Powertrain Engineering. “Most customers are not going to be thinking about the number of cylinders under the hood when they drive the new 1.0-liter EcoBoost Fiesta. They’ll notice an extremely smooth and quiet idle, terrific acceleration accompanied by a sporty sound at high revs, and – most importantly – outstanding fuel economy.”

Next year, Ford will offer eight vehicles rated at 40 mpg or higher. Ford says this is double today’s total, and more than any other automaker.

The 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine in the Fiesta expands Ford’s power of choice strategy by giving customers interested in a very fuel-efficient car a new alternative.

Pricing is not yet set, but as with the other EcoBoost engines available across Ford’s car, truck, SUV and crossover lineup, Ford said the 1.0-liter will be a very affordable option.

“Many customers would like the fuel efficiency of a modern diesel or a hybrid, but can’t stretch their budgets to cover the cost premium,” said Bakaj. “That’s where the EcoBoost Fiesta fits in. It will offer a highly fuel-efficient alternative at a lower cost.”

In Europe, where the diesel engine is king, the 1.0-liter engine now accounts for about 30 percent of sales in the Focus. The 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine is just now launching in the B-MAX and C-MAX, and will also be offered in the all-new Mondeo.

Ford has more than 125 patents on its EcoBoost engine technology, and the number of patents continues to grow.

EcoBoost combines turbocharging with gasoline direct injection and variable valve timing to allow a smaller engine to replace a larger one with no loss of performance and, according to Ford, at least a 20 per cent gain in fuel economy.

“We’re extremely proud of the amazing success the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine has achieved in such a short time,” said Bakaj. “We think it will do extremely well here in the United States. With the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine in the F-150, we learned customers will embrace smaller engines as long as you don’t ask them to sacrifice performance. The 1.0-liter will deliver three things that matter most to our customers – value for the dollar, terrific fuel economy and great performance.”

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Small, battery and electric-motor-free solutions tend to be less costly to produce, and have been hyped a good bit in certain quarters, but the consumer watchdog publication today announced its tests have found such offerings by Ford, GM, Kia, and Hyundai are not living up to claims in the real world.

“While these engines may look better on paper with impressive EPA numbers, in reality they are often slower and less fuel efficient than larger four and six-cylinder engines,” said Jake Fisher, director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports.

Top on CR’s list of over-rated vehicles is the 2013 Ford Fusion with EcoBoost. The EcoBoost line of engines has been well spoken of in other circles, but CR notes nothing to write home about regarding the turbocharged 1.6-liter four sold as a $795 option over the 2.5 liter four-cylinder-equipped version.

Consumer Reports found the EcoBoost variant, while costing more, and boasted of by marketers, returned slower 0-60 mph times compared to competitive family sedans and delivered just 25 mpg, “placing it among the worst of the crop of recently-redesigned family sedans,” said CR.

Another American car, the Cruze by Chevrolet, is in a similar boat, but not quite as bad, said the consumer publication. Compared to a 1.8-liter version, the 1.4-liter turbo variant felt a tad bit faster to 60 mph, but did not return any better fuel economy than the 1.8.

Why would a smaller engine not return better fuel economy? Simple, it’s because the turbo is doing what it is supposed to do – it crams more air-fuel mixture into the engine.

The increased ability to burn more fuel makes more power, but may not net out to any improved mpg to speak of, proving yet again, there is no such thing as a free lunch, or so it would seem in some cases.

Likewise, this was found to be the situation with four-cylinder engines in other vehicles including the Hyundai Sonata Turbo, Kia Sportage Turbo, and Ford Escape 2.0T. These all returned less fuel mileage than naturally aspirated (non-turbo) six cylinder versions.

But lest you think CR is saying the smaller-is-better concept is utter malarky, Consumer Reports did see improved results in small turbo engines when equipped in two German makers’ cars.

One is BMW’s new 2.0-liter turbocharged four, which got 28 mpg in the new 328i Sedan. The engine also gave improved mileage in the 2012 X3 SUV by one mpg, and power and acceleration were reported as “essentially identical.”

Another reported is Volkswagen’s 2.0-liter turbo which returned impressive mileage as well, though CR hasn’t tested any model variations with other engines that are directly comparable.

Further Qualification

We’ll note that in addition to Consumer Reports’ findings, in general, advertised EPA-rated fuel economy must always be understood to be a qualified number. In fact mileage varies entirely depending on how the driver operates the vehicle.

Just because a vehicle lets you drive it fast – as many of you already know but we’ll mention it anyway, as it bears repeating – one cannot expect advertised mileage under such conditions.

The EPA tests do not allow for breaking the law by speeding, constant jackrabbit starts, and other herky jerky driving behaviors that use up more fuel and create more emissions.

Furthermore, in many regions of the U.S. where it often seems like everyone has to get somewhere now, and where the pace is quick and pushing the limits of law enforcement tolerance and safety, advertised mileage will not often be achieved.

It can be stress inducing too, because if you want to drive sedately, and maximize economy, you risk having someone ride your tail, effectively pushing you, or becoming annoyed because you are not “going with the flow.”

At least this is the case in many parts of the country. It is a push-pull dichotomy of dueling opposite desires. Some drivers want to hurry up and get there, while others wish to take it easier on their vehicles, save fuel, money and spare the environment as much as possible.

And onward we go.

Consumer Reports

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