Ford's Fiesta ST concept. Image: Ford Motor Company
If you like the idea behind the Ford Focus ST, but wanted something a little smaller and lower priced, you may be in luck. Ford is debuting the all-new Fiesta ST concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show, and word is that the project has already been given a green light for production. That’s the good news: the bad news is that the markets the car will be sold in still haven’t been finalized. If you want to see a Fiesta ST in the U.S., now is the time to let Ford know.
Like its big brother the Focus ST, the Fiesta ST gets its power from an EcoBoost engine. In the Fiesta, this is a 1.6-liter engine good for some 177 horsepower and 177 ft-lb of torque. That may not sound like much, but remember that the Fiesta has less than 2,500 pounds of mass to accelerate. Ford claims a respectable 0 to 100 kph time of “under seven seconds,” on the car’s way to a top speed of 135 miles per hour. More good news? The car will only be available with a six-speed manual transmission.
Image: Ford Motor Company
Outside, the Fiesta ST takes its styling cues from the Fiesta RS WRC cars (which come with 600 horsepower ands AWD, but cost around $500,000 each). There’s a body kit, a rear diffuser with dual exhausts, 17-inch wheels, widened wheel arches and a lower stance. The car gets a sport suspension, which most likely translates to lower springs, stiffer dampers and sway bars front and rear.
Inside, expect the Fiesta ST to take styling hints from the Focus ST, including seat inserts that match the car’s exterior color. Driver and front seat passenger get Recaro seats, which should ensure front seat occupants are comfortable and anchored even during spirited driving.
There’s no word yet on pricing, but expect the Fiesta ST to top out the Fiesta range if it’s offered for sale in America. What’s your take? Is the under-$30,000 Ford Focus ST, with its 247 horsepower EcoBoost engine, enough for the U.S. market, or is there room for an under-$24,000 Ford Fiesta ST as well? Let us know what you think.
Source: Ford
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
