While the Fiesta debuted in Europe last year with instant success, it has been eagerly waited in the States, until now. The 2011 Ford Fiesta has arrived at many dealerships, and is on its way to many more.  And considering the fact that the European model of the Fiesta was the best-selling vehicle across the continent in the first quarter of 2010, Ford is hoping it will do just as well in the U.S.  Our version of the Fiesta is slightly different than overseas. More appealing to buyers in the U.S.is a newly styled four-door sedan, which will be sold here alongside a slightly pricier five-door hatchback beginning in July. The starting price for the four-door base-level sedan is $13,995, while the five-door hatchback will go for $15,795.

The U.S. Fiesta comes only with the largest engine available in any Fiesta: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that produces 120 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque, yet returns spectacular fuel efficiency when matched to a sophisticated new automatic transmission that makes its debut here. The engine features the most optimal variable valve timing setup, with independent control of both intake and exhaust. A refined five-speed manual transmission is standard, but for about $1,200 the so-called “Powershift” automatic six-speed raises the car’s expected EPA  test cycle performance from 38 to 40 mpg on the highway. In the city, the standard manual is expected to get 29 mpg, while the automatic gets 30 mpg. For more research and information about preordering the 2011 Fiesta, read our 2011 Fiesta Review.