Ford Fiesta Gets New Auto Transmission to Satisfy about 10 Percent of Small Car Buyers in Europe

In the U.S., the availability of an automatic transmission on any new mainstream model launched into the market is a must while a manual gearbox is considered more of a luxury. In Europe it's the other way around with only about 10 percent of small car buyers specifying an auto option. So it comes to no surprise that Ford has just introduced an automatic transmission for its UK market Fiesta range. The new Durashift automatic is matched to the Fiesta's 1.4-liter gasoline engine that produces 96-horsepower.

With this transmission option, the Fiesta Automatic sprints (we're being sarcastic now) from standstill to 62mph or 100 km/h in 13,9 seconds while delivering 43.4mpg UK (6.5lt/100km or 36.2mpg) and a CO2 rating of 154g/km on the EU combined driving cycle.

The Fiesta 1.4-litre automatic is offered in three trim levels - Style+, Zetec and Titanium, with prices in the UK starting from £13,195 on-the-road.

Ford Planning Fiesta Minivan Concept for Geneva Show, Production Model with Sliding Doors to Follow in 2012

Ford is getting ready to premiere a concept version of a Fiesta-based small minivan at the upcoming Geneva Salon next March. The design study will act as a pilot for the production vehicle that will follow in early 2012 and will replace the current generation of the European market Fusion, which is based on the previous Fiesta.

The news comes from a Ford source in Europe who told Automotive News that production of the Fiesta MPV will begin by the end of next year at Ford's factory in Craiova, Romania. A Ford of Europe spokesman essentially confirmed the news by telling the publication that “It is a B-segment vehicle and will go into full production early in 2012.”

The report said Ford has no plans to offer the car in North America.

In Europe, the car will compete in the small MPV segment against the likes of the Opel / Vauxhall Meriva, Citroen C3 Picasso and Kia Venga Kia. It is believed that Ford will drop the Fusion nameplate and use the B-MAX moniker as it will be smallest model in Ford's range of MPVs that includes the Focus-based C-MAX and Grand C-MAX, and the Mondeo-based S-MAX and Galaxy.

The unnamed Ford source told the publication that the B-MAX will be a five-seat minivan with rear sliding doors. The 2011 Geneva Salon will run from March 3 to 13.