Ford adds go-fast Fiesta to its XR lineup

When the Pirtek Rally Team hits the dirt in Queensland on March 31 for the first round of the 2007 Australian Rally Championship, it will do so in a pair of Ford Fiestas. The nameplate, you might imagine, is more likely to be associated with urban econoboxes than hardcore rally cars, but these two cars have been prepared to comply with the new Super 2000 regulations and will certainly put Fiesta on the map as a very capable forest tool.

And although Australian customers won't get to experience the fully-worked rally car, they will soon be offered the next best thing, when the Fiesta XR4 goes on sale in June priced from about $25,000.

As a stablemate of the bigger Focus XR5 Turbo (more here) -- both are developed and built in Europe by Ford's TeamRS performance arm and run under the ST (Sports Technologies) badge there -- the baby go-fast Ford will fill the final hole in the Blue Oval's line-up of sporty XR machines.

Rivals in its sights are likely to include Volkswagen's superb Polo GTi, the Suzuki Swift Sport and Mitsubishi's turbocharged Ralliart Colt.

Like its bigger Focus brother, the XR4 will be available as a manual only (five-speed). And the Focus links don’t stop there -- it borrows one of the Focus powerplants, a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four. The engine has been slightly modified for the XR4 and produces 3kW and 10Nm more than in the donor car to generate maximum power of 110kW and peak torque of 190Nm.

Weighing in at 1165kg, the little three-door also undercuts the lightest five-door Focus by more than 100kg ensuring that it should be a sprightly package. For the record Ford is claiming the XR4 will cover 0-100km/h in just under 8sec.

In addition to the engine modifications, the Fiesta XR4 has a retuned suspension package with a lower ride height, stiffer springs and dampers, faster steering and bigger brakes with discs on the rear. It is the first time the Fiesta has been offered with four-wheel discs.

Outside, the XR4 features a full body kit with deeper front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a top-mounted spoiler and alloys shod with low-profile Pirelli P-Zero rubber. Inside, the sports theme continues with part-leather sports seats and various alloy trim highlights.

With its extra performance, the Fiesta XR4 is also set to gain on the safety front too with stability control, ABS, and six airbags -- driver and passenger front and side and side curtain -- all expected to be standard kit.

Speaking at the unveiling of the car at this week's Melbourne motor show, Ford boss Tom Gorman said the XR4 delivered a further performance offering to Ford motoring enthusiasts.

"It is going to be a successful and eye-catching addition to the hot-hatch range," he said.

Just how successful will likely depend on the quantities Ford Australia can secure. The car is already a hit in Europe so if you're keen you better get in quickly...

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