Geneva 2008 Preview: 2009 Ford Fiesta Officially Unveiled

Before its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show, Ford has finally released details on the production version of its new global small car. After the Verve concept debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September, the speculation began about what it'd be called when it arrived in showrooms. Ford's marketing team decided that the car will be called the Fiesta everywhere in the world that it's sold, including the United States. US market will get the four-door sedan instead of the 3-door hatchback shown above.

The production Fiesta stays remarkably true to the Verve concept. Aside from some detailing of the light clusters and framed side glass, the production car is virtually identical to the concept on the outside. The basic interior design is the same as the concept's. Underhood, the Fiesta gets a range of five gasoline and diesel-fueled four-cylinder engines. Like the new Mazda2 with which it shares its architecture, the Fiesta is the same size as the car it's replacing, but high-strength steels allow it to be lighter.

The car will be producing in Cologne, Germany and will be followed by a second assembly plant in Spain. An Asian facility will be announced at the Beijing show in April, while a site for North American models will be announced later. The production will begin this fall.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Fiesta