LA MOTOR SHOW: US debut for five-door Fiesta ST
Five-door variant of go-faster Fiesta allegedly signals the next step in Ford's global performance vehicle strategyThe three-door Ford Fiesta ST Concept debuted at the recent Frankfurt motor show, and now the blue oval is set to whip the covers off a five-door variant at this month’s Los Angeles motor show.
As per the three-door ST, the five-door model is powered by a 1.6-litre Ecoboost petrol engine that kicks out 132kW and 240Nm, which is relayed to the front wheels by a six-speed manual gearbox.
Although official performance figures are yet to be released, it’s believed the go-faster Fiesta will scoot to 100km/h in under seven seconds and go on to a v-max around the 220km/h mark.
The Fiesta ST’s added oomph is offset by firmed-up suspension and a lowered ride height, while stuffed under its flared arches is a set of 17-inch rims. According to Ford, the car’s set-up was tailored to “flatter less-experienced drivers while rewarding those seeking to push the limits of the Fiesta ST’s sports performance.”
Visual clues that distinguish the ST from lesser Fiestas include a large hexagonal grille with honeycomb mesh, side skirts, a rear diffuser and twin tailpipes.
“The Fiesta has a rich history of high-performance models so a new ST performance model is a logical next step in our performance vehicle strategy for our global small cars,” said Ford’s product development boss Derrick Kuzak.
Ford aims to draw a link between the Fiesta ST and iconic predecessors such as the Fiesta XR2 and XR2i, Fiesta RS1800 and RS Turbo, as well as the more recent first-generation Fiesta ST.
However, where its ancestors were pitched at the European market, Ford says the five-door Fiesta ST Concept shows the promise for “a globally available performance model”, raising at least some hopes that a production version could in due course spearhead the Australian Fiesta line-up – which currently offers the choice of an 89kW 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 66kW 1.6-litre diesel (in the LX hatch and sedan).
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