While Ford get themselves ready to officially unveil the new Focus ST, behind the scenes they are hard at work on a new version of the Fiesta ST.
2012 Ford Fiesta ST spy photo / Copyright S. B. Medien
While the old model was blessed with an entertaining chassis it wasn’t well-endowed in the engine department, dishing up just 150bhp from its heavy 2.0-litre engine. No such problems this time around with a more powerful 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine (already seen in the new C-Max) that will offer around 180bhp and a handy overboost function to give a quick burst of additional torque.
Prototypes seen testing at the Nurburgring hint at larger air intakes and dual exhausts at the rear, and you can bet the chassis will be more hardcore than the current Zetec S.
Expect a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, although there’s a suggestion that there may be a six-speed double-clutch system (like VW’s DSG) with flappy paddles on the wheel. This should make the new Fiesta ST a worthy competitor for the VAG group of mini hot hatches – the Volkswagen Polo GTI, Skoda Fabia vRS, Seat Ibiza Cupra and Audi A1.
With development still underway it’s going to be at least eighteen months until we see the Fiesta ST on sale, so you’re going to have to wait a while yet. With only 180bhp, that means there’s still room in the range for a 210bhp Fiesta RS to slot between the Fiesta ST and Focus ST. So will we get one this time?
2012 Ford Fiesta ST spy photo / Copyright S. B. Medien
Source: Top Gear, WorldCarFans
