Ford is spicing up the new Fiesta's European range with the introduction of a new Sport trim level that will be available on the three-door models equipped with the 96HP 1.4-liter and 120HP 1.6-liter gasoline engines as well as with the 90HP 1.6-liter TDCi turbo diesel. 

Unlike most proposals of the sort where changes are limited to cosmetics and enhanced equipment levels, the Sport model actually benefits from a series of chassis upgrades that promise to further improve handling.


These include a nine millimeter lowered sports suspension with stiffer springs and new shocks, a modified steering wheel system and the addition of an electronic stability programme (ESP) that can be switched off completely.


Visually, the three-door Fiesta Sport is distinguished by a different lower grille treatment, dark headlamps, front apron, chunky side skirts, a rear apron with an integrated diffuser and new 16-inch alloys wrapped in beefier sport tires.


Inside, buyers can opt between two different trim colors (anthracite or blue) with special features including the front sport seats, leather sport steering wheel and gearshift knob and the enhanced equipment that includes a height-adjustable driver's seat, an on-board computer, electric windows and locks, and air conditioning.

The 2011 Ford Fiesta's premiere at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, and a comprehensive gallery depicting what is claimed to be the North American market version of car, has made its way onto the internet.

We don't have any official information on the subcompact model that will be offered in the States as a five-door hatchback and a four-door sedan, but the photos show that Ford's US division made a few minor yet noticeable stylistic changes on the car's exterior design.


Compared to its European sibling, the 2011 Fiesta hatchback gets a slightly different upper grille along with a reshaped bumper housing a revised lower air grille and large chrome scoops at both corners.

At the rear, the only visible changes concern the larger lower lights strips and the more pronounced bumper trim in the center.


In what concerns the Fiesta four-door sedan, it features a somewhat gaudy three-bar grille up front while at the back, Ford designer's tweaked the rear bumper and added a different set of tail lights that are reminiscent of the Taurus sedan.


Trim aside, the interior appears to have remained intact in both cars.
We'll have more on the Fiesta as soon as Ford comes out with an official release.