GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Ford shows off new Fiesta ST

Ford has begun teasing a replacement for its Fiesta ST hot hatch in a short 18-second film released on social media.

From the short teasing clip, we can make out the latest Renaultsport Clio-rival will, once again, be available as a five-door and come with a subtle body kit, larger wheels and a boot spoiler.

Despite its absence in the Facebook clip, a three-door Fiesta ST is expected to be offered.

Under the bonnet, it is being speculated that instead of its current 147kW/290Nm (on overboost) 1.6-litre turbo petrol, the new ST could come with a powerful version of Ford's tiny turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder.

If so, it would need to at least match the current car power and torque outputs.

A standard six-speed manual would be the obvious transmission choice for the ST but the Blue Oval could, for the first time, offer its pint-sized hot hatch with a dual-clutch transmission.

The drive behind using the small downsized petrol stems from tightening emissions (and fuel use) standards in European markets.

Based on the new seventh-generation Fiesta supermini revealed in November, the new hot hatch won’t be all-new.

Instead, it will be a comprehensive re-skin of the current Fiesta.

Claimed to have a more upmarket feel than the last model, the performance flagship of the Fiesta range will come with new safety equipment like autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring.

Inside, the ST will also come with Ford's latest SYNC3 infotainment system.

Full information and pics will be released on February 24, ahead of its official unveiling at the Swiss motor show next month.