Ford has showed their hand on what a high performance Fiesta ST might look like with this concept car in Frankfurt. On the heels of the new production version Focus ST, the Fiesta ST Concept shows what the same treatment can bring to the smaller of the two.
While Ford has not said they are planning to bring such a model to the States yet, the possibility of a Fiesta ST joining the Focus ST would bring Ford performance to drivers in two major global segments.
“We’re leveraging our global product platforms to create great new performance vehicles like the Focus ST,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “By taking advantage of platform efficiencies and focusing our performance engineering resources globally, we can bring performance vehicles to more customers in more markets, plus we’re better positioned for Ford products to compete successfully in global motorsport.”
Every Ford to carry the ST badge will be a performance car that emphasizes great fun-to-drive qualities customers will crave. Yet every aspect of performance in a Ford ST is highly balanced, so the driver revels in experiencing perfect harmony every time he or she gets behind the wheel. Ford ST models will also offer a level of refinement that allows the driver to enjoy the car as much on the way to work every day as on a twisty road.
Muscular and sporty, the Fiesta ST Concept is inspired by the Ford Fiesta WRC. It features a dynamic sports chassis and a high-performance powertrain with a 1.6-liter Ford EcoBoost engine, yet is capable of delivering impressive fuel economy.
Target performance levels for the Fiesta ST Concept are 177 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque, enough to propel it from 0-60 mph in less than seven seconds. A top speed exceeding 136 mph is targeted.
A global Fiesta ST would also extend the proud, 35-year history of delivering high-performance Fiestas in Europe, including the Fiesta XR2 and XR2i, RS Turbo and the more recent first-generation Fiesta ST.
“With the Focus ST and the Fiesta ST, enthusiasts will immediately understand what a Ford ST model promises and what each model shares in terms of balanced performance feel, style and driver features,” Capito said. “We’ve developed both vehicles from the same DNA. They are born performers that know how to make drivers smile.”
If the Fiesta ST is to make it to our shores it will likely be sometime late in 2012 or early 2013, after the Focus ST rolls out.
