The hot hatch segment has grew rapidly over the last few years and today, these cars are able to deliver performance that was not imaginable in the small hatch segment roughly ten years ago. The performance of larger sized hot hatches are moving towards the sports car category and the space left behind are being taken up by a new generation of performance orientated subcompacts. And Ford has presented the all new 2013 Ford Fiesta ST as part of this new generation.
Ford has released pictures of a production ready version of the 2013 Ford Fiesta which the company will unveil during the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. It is confirmed that the car will be launched first in the European market by 2013.
The previous Fiesta ST was last offered in 2008 and fans of the car were clamouring for a new model ever since. Ford didn’t sit back and put these outcry aside. Instead, they did better than just releasing a new model; they gave the Fiesta ST a new level in performance.
The previous model featured a 2.0 litre engine which generated around 150bhp and an optional performance upgrade in 2008 gave the car an extra 15bhp. This time round with the new Fiesta ST, Ford has downsized the engine to 1.6 litres but with the horsepower increased to around 180bhp. All thanks to the company’s EcoBoost technology.
The Fiesta ST generates around 180bhp and 240Nm of torque. This enables the car to run the century sprint under seven seconds and with a top speed of more than 220km/h. At the same time, the EcoBoost technology delivers a twenty percent reduction of CO2 emissions compared to the previous model.
The car was developed by Ford’s Team RS and it delivers significant ride and handling improvements. Firstly, the chassis has been specially tuned and it sits 15mm lower than the standard Fiesta. Next, the car receives Ford’s enhanced torque vectoring control system and the car also receives three electronic stability control modes. All these technologies were put to the test for over 5000 kilometres of driving at the Nurburgring track in Germany.
In the interior department, the car gets some exceptional equipment and trimmings that would satisfy a sporty driver. First of all is the reclining Recaro sports seat for the driver and the front passenger. Next up is the MyKey feature which allows the driver to limit performance and ensure activation of safety features when a less experienced driver uses the car. The car will also get SYNC, Ford’s voice activated in-car connectivity system.
The Fiesta ST will be recognisable, over the standard Fiesta, with its exterior kit which includes a honeycomb trapezoidal grille with an ST badge. Sporty looking bumpers, side skirts and a roof spoiler completes the overall “ST” image for the car.
The launch of the car is very much confirmed for markets in Europe and since Ford has united its US and Europe performance divisions, the company is looking to bring the car in to the Northern American market (the previous Fiesta ST was not released there). More details of the car will be known when Ford unveils it in Geneva.
As for me, I really hope that the local agent brings the car into Singapore as I believe this is what most people here would want, a moderate displacement size car (moderate road tax pricing) with a rather energetic powertrain (enough for those spirited driving moments).
Photo credit: Net Car Show
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