The Ford Fiesta 1.0L SFE, Like The Cobalt XFE, Is Doomed to Fail

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
06/12/2014 at 16:49 • Filed to: Fiesta 1.0

In 2009 Chevrolet discovered that the American Consumer was demanding another feature from their cars. No, it wasn't a Thorax side airbag in the Impala, though they did added it in 2009. Nor was it a new leatherette steering wheel in the Aveo, which resembled real leather the same way that Minute Maid resembles real lemonade. And no, it wasn't a downright lethal amount of horsepower from the Corvette, though they did that as well with the introduction of the ZR1. What the American Consumer demanded from the brand was better fuel economy.

This was inevitable. The Prius was at the time in the first year of its 3rd generation claiming to be the most efficient car powered by liquid fuel in the U.S. 2009 was also the year that the second generation of probably the most iconic hybrid was released, the Honda Insight. Hell, even Cadillac had an Escalade Hybrid on their lineup to return an extinction prone specie reviving 23 MPG! (As Opposed to the preposterous 18 MPG from the non-Hybrid Escalade). People were starting to be Eco Conscious, which in other words mean, their iPhone cases now looked like simulated wood with Eco written on the corner.

Chevy couldn't be left out of the game, so they concentrated all their engineers to make their agreeable Cobalt into an efficiency machine. The Cobalt XFE was then born, returning an improved fuel economy of up to 37 MPG without the need of batteries, or any fancy tricks. They got those numbers the good old fashioned way. Keeping the weight down, and tuning the engine/transmission to be as lazy as an elementary school kid failing PE. This was Chevys answer to giving a more fuel efficient vehicle, and by making it they actually made the Cobalt a better car as a whole. Unfortunately, Chevy really didn't want the improved Cobalt to be popular. In reality, the XFE was always doomed to fail, and that is exactly the fate of the new Ford Fiesta SFE with the 1.0 Litre Eco-Boost engine.

Although the Chevrolet Cobalt XFE and the Ford Fiesta SFE were made by opposing manufacturers, with different techniques, and at different times, their similarities are evident. Both of these cars are Eco packages fitted to the standard cars. Even the names of these packages are comically similar: "X-Tra Fuel Efficiency" on the Cobalt, and "Super Fuel Efficiency" on the Fiesta. The only way to recognise both cars, is by tiny badges on their trunks. Both could only be had on cheap models, both with hubcaps, the base radio, less sound insulation, low rolling resistance tires, not a single appearance addition; and even in the Cobalts case with wind down windows and Anti-lock brakes as an option!

We can all be charmed and attracted by the attitude and charisma of these cheap and cheerful cars. But that is exactly the reason why they were always destined to be flops, or failures. Both cars cost extra for the Eco packages offered ($600 for the Cobalt, and $995 for the Fiesta) to get a car that still was the base model. You still couldn't get more speakers, or rims, or fog lamps. Then, to add to that, you could only buy both cars with 5 speed manual transmissions. Yes, I know, the manual transmission is the proper transmission and it is a vital ingredient in the formula for efficiency in both cars. But in the real world with texting and driving becoming a sport, heated steering wheels on Rams, and a Sport mode on CVT Sentra's, the automatic transmission is always going to be more popular.

So why did Ford do this to the fantastic Fiesta? Why do they offer its 45 MPG Eco-Boost engine of wonders in a base car with hideous hubcaps, with a pathetic 4 inch screen radio, nosier interior at highway speeds, pathetically gripping rock hard tires, manual transmission only, with an almost $1,000 premium? Because, like Chevrolet did with the Cobalt, it was just to boast a tagline in the webpage. I really really hope that by some miracle it doesn't, but the way I see it the Fiesta SFE 1.0 Litre Eco-Boost is doomed to fail, just as its brother from another mother did 5 years ago.

DISCUSSION (48)

dogisbadob > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 17:07

I thought Ford had said the SFE was doing reasonably well despite no automatic transmission option.

HammerheadFistpunch > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 17:07

CAFE scores. CAFE scores.

Will with a W8 races an E30 > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 17:12

I just spent 20 minutes on the Ford website trying to figure out how to configure an SFE. It's not easy to find.

Would be a pretty nice DD alternative to the ST though, at 18k well equipped. Manual trans, more power and less weight than the 1.6. Just needs new wheels.....

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 17:18

I would love an ecoboost Fiesta but in sport trim and not this useless base model trim.

The ecoboost is a $1295.00 option in Canada and that pushes the price higher that it cost for a loaded sport model. the worst part is the base SE gets alloys but for $1300 more you get hubcaps? it makes no sense at all. Why can't they just have the engine as a stand alone option like in europe?

Kinja'd!!!

Vicente Esteve > dogisbadob
06/12/2014 at 17:19

To me, any sale is better than expected.

Vicente Esteve > HammerheadFistpunch
06/12/2014 at 17:21

Whats that?

jariten1781 > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 17:22

Mandatory photo of the baby snail in the 1.0 Ecoboost

Kinja'd!!!

briannutter1 > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 17:22

I'm thinking of buying one for my 50mile/day commute. Add some fiesta ST suspension parts and some wheels and I'd have a lightweight corner carver. I think I remember seeing the 1.0 ecoboost is one of their top sellers on a global market.

Vicente Esteve > Will with a W8 races an E30
06/12/2014 at 17:22

It would be an awesome DD, but still, Ford didnt even put it as an ENGINE when you click on the SE.

I mean, COME ON, this is probably the best engine ever made by Ford!

HammerheadFistpunch > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 17:23

Cooperate Average Fuel Economy.

Vicente Esteve > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
06/12/2014 at 17:23

Exactly my point. Ford doesen't want it to succeed. To me, it is a kind of bet against the sales department to see if they could actually sell a number or something.

Vicente Esteve > jariten1781
06/12/2014 at 17:24

I want to dress that Turbo and take it to the park in a stroller!

Vicente Esteve > briannutter1
06/12/2014 at 17:25

Awesome! Do it! Yes, it does seem to sell well in the UK (The Fiesta is the highest selling car) because it has all the options available of any other model.

Vicente Esteve > HammerheadFistpunch
06/12/2014 at 17:27

Oh yeah, CAFE!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 17:42

I liked the Cobalt XFE. It was a bare-bones car (which are my favorite) that got unheard of levels of fuel economy for a gas car at the time. It showed what GM could do if they really put their heads together and said "Okay, this is our goal, how are we going to achieve it in the most sensible way possible?"

briannutter1 > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 17:43

yeah, configurator is a pain but it's looking like $17,100. Probably another $1k in wheels/tires and another $1k on struts/springs/bars maybe? putting at $19k. A savings over a fiesta st and likely coming in around 2650lbs. I'd save about $750 a year in gas versus my 850 turbo wagon...which would be offset by insurance.... We'll see what happens when my 850 dies.

dogisbadob > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 17:50

Yeah, but still, it has to be worth the cost of certifying the engine and marketing, etc. If they only sold three of them, that would be s story.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/12/2014 at 18:13

Thats my point! These both cars have been engineered to do one thing, and they do it brilliantly. Sadly, their limited appeal can't give them the popularity they deserve.

Vicente Esteve > briannutter1
06/12/2014 at 18:14

Thats a really cool car history you'd have there.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 18:15

It doesn't help that they're never really advertised or showed off as press cars or anything to garner attention to them. That's why when someone wants a fuel efficient car, they spend a bunch more and get a hybrid.

Vicente Esteve > dogisbadob
06/12/2014 at 18:15

Haha, yeah, Ford really should make it more clear to, uhm, I dont know, CUSTOMERS that their can can achieve 45 MPG! Only these levels of fuel economy can make people learn manual IMHO

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/12/2014 at 18:16

You are totally right, they don't want people to know they have this amazing engine. I seriously beilive people would actually try and learn to drive stick just to get that economy.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 18:18

I'd endure the penalty box that is a Cobalt Base with a horrendously long geared manual to get that kind of economy. 37 MPG is about triple what I get now.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 18:32

Reasons to buy a new fiesta sfe

1 Formula Ford has the same engine

2 kick ass mpg

3 cylinders

4 stroke

5 people can be seated

6 great little baby turbo

7 best engine Ford has offered in years

8 not a bad price too bad it isn't the base engine though.

9 Prove Ford wrong and show them that this car is awesome.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/12/2014 at 21:17

We probably won't admit it, but we do get excited when we get great fuel economy.

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/12/2014 at 21:20

Exactly. If only Corolla Buyers had those things in mind when buying their next car.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 21:20

Considering our most efficient car in our stable is the Vue at 20MPG highway, we get pretty damn excited too.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/12/2014 at 21:22

Haha, at home, it's Oliver at "Around 28" MPG. We seriously don't have any highways, so mostly city.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 21:25

Well that 2.slow is good for something at least!

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
06/12/2014 at 21:35

Hahah At something!

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve
06/12/2014 at 21:45

I want one....but can't afford it. :(

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/12/2014 at 21:55

So many things, so little money. Same here. Though I think I would get an Ibiza Coupe with a 1.2 TSI with 105hp instead of the Fiesta.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve
06/13/2014 at 11:48

I never heard of that. When I hear TSI I think of an Eagle Talon.

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/13/2014 at 12:25

Its a brilliant engine

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve
06/13/2014 at 13:50

The Eagle? No it isn't a great engine. They were prone to crank walk.

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/13/2014 at 13:57

No, the VW engine

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve
06/13/2014 at 14:03

Is that the inline 3 VW is bringing to America?

Vicente Esteve > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/13/2014 at 14:17

nope, its a 4 cylinder, it won an award for best engine or something.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Vicente Esteve
06/13/2014 at 14:23

Cool I don't know much because I can't get it. :(

Ad_absurdum_per_aspera > Vicente Esteve
06/13/2014 at 15:00

Asking people to pay significantly more to get a hairshirt model is always a stretch... and if the marginal benefit is down in the driving-habits noise level (+1 mpg city, +3 highway for the Cobalt XFE) the effort is doomed.

At least the Fiesta SFE is more significantly economical to drive than its most similar stablemate (+3 city, +7 highway), and the car magazines all praise that engine as being lots of fun and quite adequate to the task for the driver who's willing to pay a bit of attention to the power band. Still has the Ford-typical infotainment user interface from Mars, though.

Vicente Esteve > Ad_absurdum_per_aspera
06/13/2014 at 17:54

Ford has this brilliant, praised engine, and they put it in lets be honest, the least desirable car to Americans

Three Miles Final > Vicente Esteve
06/18/2014 at 08:49

Kinja'd!!!

I've got a Fiesta SFE Sedan and it's one of the best cars I've owned. The little 1.0L has the oomph to pass in traffic or haul my arse up Kelly's Mountain, NS at let's just say more than RCMP attention grabbing rate of speed. My fuel economy is averaging around 5L/100km as well which is more than half of what my Misses gets in her Kia Sportage.

Having driven everything from a Go-Kart, 5.0L Mustang, large 20ton trucks and even Aircraft, the Fiesta is a great little vehicle.

The stereo has pretty good sound for stock (bass shakes the mirrors even) but you're right about the hubcaps... lame. I did get the trunk lid lip spoiler (adds more speed right? :P) but really, automatic transmissions and engines like this are a bad idea. Just have to remember to launch at higher revs in 1st than you would normally.

Vicente Esteve > Three Miles Final
06/18/2014 at 09:39

Thats awesome! And yes, Ford has a masterpiece with that 1.0 Litre, I just hate the fact that it doesent do much to show it to consumers. They can literally say in the ads: Ford Fiesta SFE. Best engine in the class. Period." And that would be perfectly acceptable. Haha I do the same of launching at higher revs with my 2.0 Litre slow, and no, an automatic would ruin a lot of it.

LeoParente > Vicente Esteve
06/20/2014 at 15:36

Another point-of-view , suggesting 1.0L NOT so doom-worthy.

[Since you posted yours over on mine!]

I Don't like joining this junk just to post a message. Keep it simple. > Vicente Esteve
07/16/2014 at 21:23

This article is a load of hooey. Of course Ford would have an easier time selling these IF THEY'D ACTUALLY LIST THEM ON THEIR WEBSITE! The dealer near me neither had an SFE nor an ST both of which I want to test drive. I have to say I am darned impressed with the ST. Someone has posted 39mpg in one on the fueleconomy.gov website. SFEs are getting 47mpg. This is a tough decision because 39 is VERY GOOD gas mileage for a car that produces that big a smile. I like the idea of the 147 lb/ft of torque the SFE has too however.

Sorry but idiots drive automatics and they're made fun of all over the world especially in Germany where they call us Stupid Americans for not driving stick. In France they call us Stupeeed Americains. Texting and driving, and doing most else while driving is ILLEGAL! as it SHOULD BE and doing anything else whilst you are driving will get you KILLED so it is good these are stick shift. Stay alive, drive a stick.

I Don't like joining this junk just to post a message. Keep it simple. > Vicente Esteve
07/16/2014 at 21:23

This article is a load of hooey. Of course Ford would have an easier time selling these IF THEY'D ACTUALLY LIST THEM ON THEIR WEBSITE! The dealer near me neither had an SFE or an ST both of which I want to test drive. I have to say I am darned impressed with the ST. Someone has posted 39mpg in one on the fueleconomy.gov website. SFEs are getting 47mpg. This is a tough decision because 39 is VERY GOOD gas mileage for a car that produces that big a smile. I like the idea of the 147 lb/ft of torque the SFE has too however.

I Don't like joining this junk just to post a message. Keep it simple. > Vicente Esteve
07/16/2014 at 21:25

Vicente Esteve > I Don't like joining this junk just to post a message. Keep it simple.
07/16/2014 at 23:19

First off, im all for driving stick and concentraing on the main activity that is driving. Also, the Fiesta SFE is an excellent car that carries one of the bes engines Ford has ever built! I agree with everything your said, although we both know that having an automaic available would boost sales. As tough as it is to say it, they are the main choice, in America at least. In europe thats a whole different story.