Ford Fiesta ST from just $25,990

Yesterday Ford revealed full pricing and specification details of the facelifted Fiesta line-up that goes on sale in Australia later this month, and now it has revealed similar details of the range-topping Fiesta ST that arrives here in September.

Biggest news for Australia’s first Fiesta ST is a pricetag of just $25,990 plus on-road costs, making it $2000 cheaper than its most direct rival in Volkswagen’s Polo GTI three-door ($27,990 plus ORCs).

To be available in just one spec, the most powerful production Fiesta ever comes with a 134kW/240Nm 1.6-litre EcoBoost direct-injection turbo-petrol engine that consumes 6.2L/100km.

That makes it 20 per cent more efficient than the previous European-spec Fiesta ST, despite the fact it produces almost 20 per cent more power than the first-generation model’s 2.0-litre engine. The new ST engine also features a sound symposer that relays the engine sound directly from the intake into the cabin.

What’s more, Ford Australia is likely to offer a new power-up kit created by Mountune in Europe, which ups the Fiesta ST’s performance to 160kW and 320Nm, enabling it to sprint to 100km/h in a claimed 6.7 seconds – two-tenths faster than the standard ST.

Australia’s Fiesta ST – built alongside the Focus ST at Ford’s Saarlouis plant near Cologne in Germany -- will introduce Emergency Assistance to the Fiesta range, joining the Focus ST and Kuga SUV.

Using the driver’s mobile phone and running in the background once it is paired with SYNC, Emergency Assistance uses the on-board GPS locator and Bluetooth-paired device to initiate an emergency call and provide GPS co-ordinates to emergency services if it detects an airbag deployment or activation of the car’s emergency fuel shut-off.

Standard features will include Ford SYNC connectivity, integrated with an eight-speaker Sony sound system and 4.2-inch colour TFT display, and including Bluetooth hands-free voice control, USB/iPod port and steering wheel controls.

Also included is keyless entry and starting, an auto-diming rear-view mirror, automatic wipers and headlights, LED daytime running lights, rear parking sensors, single-zone climate-control, cruise control and ambient interior lighting.

All this is wrapped in a sports bodykit comprising a trapezoidal grille with unique honeycomb insert, rear diffuser element, twin chromed exhaust outlets and new paint options including Molten Orange (specific to Fiesta ST), Race Red and Performance Blue.

Inside the Fiesta ST there are cloth-trimmed Recaro sports seats with four-way manual adjustment, carbon-fibre dashboard inserts, alloy-faced pedals and gearshifter, an ST steering wheel, ST scuff plates and ST carpet mats.

Safety equipment comprises electronic stability control, anti-skid brakes, brake assist, enhanced Torque Vectoring Control (e-TVC) and five airbags, including twin front, twin curtain/thorax and a driver’s knee airbag.

Ford says the Fiesta ST will also be offered with a capped-price service plan, as with all Ford models built since 2007.

“The Fiesta ST is your all-in hot-hatch with outstanding driving dynamics, EcoBoost power and a full suite of smart technology features buyers don’t expect in this segment,” said Ford Australia General Marketing Manager, David Katic.

“We feel the aggressive starting price and outstanding fuel economy will give customers another reason to consider the Fiesta ST.

“Since the global Fiesta ST program was announced, Ford Australia received a huge amount of interest from customers and we are very happy to say the wait is almost over for Australian performance enthusiasts.”

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