Ford Australia has confirmed a September launch for the updated version of the scintillating ST model Fiesta.
Developed in Europe by Ford Team RS and honed by more than 7,500kms of race circuit testing, the new Ford Fiesta ST employs Ford’s turbocharged 1.6-litre EcoBoost four cylinder engine with 134kW of power at 6000rpm and peak torque of 240Nm from 1600rpm or 147kW/290Nm for 20 seconds on overboost. Drive is to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. That means the newcomer is the most powerful production model Ford Fiesta so far and it’s actually powerful than the Volkswagen Polo GTI.
Underneath, the Ford Fiesta ST shows-off the chassis developments incorporated by Ford’s high performance division with unique calibration for the suspension, steering and brakes (rear discs for the ST), enhanced Torque Vectoring Control (eTVC) and three-mode Dynamic Stability Control. Springs and dampers are firmer, roll stiffness is up, ride height is reduced by 15mm and a more direct 13.69:1 steering ratio sharpens response.
Exterior styling sees a larger trapezoidal grille with unique honeycomb construction, 17”X7” alloy wheels and a purposeful rear diffuser.
Interior extras include sports Recaro seats and Ford’s new ‘Sound Symposer’ system which channels the Fiesta ST’s racy exhaust note inside.
Local Fiesta ST models, like rest of the updated Fiesta lineup, gain the Emergency Assistance function in the Ford SYNC system. When properly paired with your mobile phone via the Bluetooth system, and assuming you’re in mobile phone range, the Emergency Assistance system automatically delivers a critical voice message to 000 operators if you are involved in an incident severe enough to deploy the airbags and trigger the fuel shut-off system.
Can’t wait to drive this hot hatch!
