It's been just about two years since I was given my first sneak peek at Ford's sporty Verve concept:  I fell in love with that car the moment I saw it on stage and have spent the last two years predicting it could be the vehicle Ford needs to displace the Honda Civic from its favored position in the small-car marketplace. I wasn't thrilled when they announced it would be named "Fiesta," but have spent the last two years coveting the sedan, nonetheless.

As a tremendous fan of the Fiesta Movement  I sent in my own application to become a Fiesta Agent, and followed the winners on their missions when I didn't garner a coveted Euro-spec car of my own.  Who wouldn't want to live vicariously through these footloose and fancy-free Fiesta Agents, and share in their hell-raising highway adventures across the country? Who wasn't amazed by the nonstop driving of Brooklyn Hillary,  who put slightly more than 40,000 miles on her Fiesta in just six months? She's just one of the 100 Agents who, altogether, put more than a million miles on their vehicles while creating more than 6.5 million video views at YouTube, more than 636,000 Flickr photo views, and more than 3.3 million tweets to help raise awareness of the vehicle across the nation!

Last week, the Fiesta Movement came to a close at a giant party at the Hollywood Palladium, as Ford bid the agents "adieu," and finally showed the United-States-production model to the general public at the Los Angeles Auto Show. And with the specs released this week, there is much to covet about this subcompact car: Available in either sleek sedan or sporty hatchback form, the little car enters the marketplace powered by a 1.6 Duratec Ti-VCT inline four-cylinder engine promising 30 mpg city and 40 highway with six-speed automatic transmission - and at a suggested starting price of $13,320.

As part of its public debut, Ford has launched a special site that allows interested consumers to customize and reserve their own car, with no money down. As a reward for reserving online, buyers get SYNC with navigation plus premium sound at no charge, enriched dialogue about the status of their car, and priority delivery when their vehicle arrives later this Summer.

Already a hit in Europe and Asia, the Fiesta has sold more than 500,000 vehicles worldwide to date. The U.S.-spec version appears very similar to the Euro model, with a slightly different fascia, slightly longer front end, and a U.S.-exclusive moonroof, but it keeps its sporty kinetic design that just begs to be driven. "For North America, the global Fiesta was tweaked, not re-designed or re-developed," said Steve Pintar, chief engineer. "We built on the success of the European Fiesta and are really proud of how little has changed."

Ford is marketing the carlet to two primary demographic groups: budget-conscious Millennials aged from 15 to 30 years old (in fact, 11,000 teens reach driving age every day) and Baby Boomers who may be downsizing because their children have left the nest but don't want to give up features. Together, these two groups comprise 59% of the population, and both want value for their money. With that key point in mind, Fiesta offers 15 features not available in other cars in this segment, namely: a 4-inch digital display with message center, adjustable ambient interior lighting, six-speed automatic transmission, Sync with USB functionality, Bluetooth as well as voice controls, Blind Spot Information System, keyless access with pushbutton start, leather heated seats, Easy Fuel capless fuel filler system, and more.

Safety features comprise seven airbags (including driver's-knee, side, and side curtain airbags), full-length Boron steel reinforcements in the A and B pillars, front disc/rear drum brakes, as well as standard AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Control with ABS. This system automatically applies the brakes and modulates engine torque whenever it detects wheelslip, and helps avoid skidding and fishtailing by controlling understeer and oversteer. Electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) offers speed-sensitive steering, Pull-Drift Compensation to help Fiesta track true regardless of road slope or side wind conditions, and "active nibble control" technology to help provide improved feedback and confidence at highway speeds. EPAS also reduces vehicle weight, thereby improving fuel economy. Hill Start Assist is a cool feature that automatically helps prevent the car from rolling downhill by momentarily holding brake pressure when the driver releases the brake pedal while parking or taking off on an incline.

Sadly, my own Honda Accord  was totaled a few months ago, making me all the more anxious to get a Fiesta of my own. I have already reserved my own Magenta Fiesta Sedan, with heated seats and Sync and Sound package. I haven't decided yet whether I want to add any of those cool vinyl appliques,  though I imagine putting some girlie flowers on it would be a good way to keep my 17-year-old son from wanting to drive it!

I seriously believe that if the Fiesta delivers what it promises, it will finally give a domestic manufacturer the opportunity to dominate in a marketplace that has been previously ruled by import vehicles.  Until now, most subcompacts have been perceived as "penalty boxes," driven only because the buyers cannot afford to purchase more/better/bigger cars. As one who has owned five Hondas, I sincerely believe the Fiesta is going to change that perception, and can't wait to drive mine.