New Ford Fiesta ST Edition aimed at enthusiasts

Ford has launched a limited-run Ford Fiesta ST Edition for Europe that offers hardcore hot hatch fans a lower adjustable sports suspension and a set of lighter alloy wheels.

Creating the special model to appeal to those who track their Fiesta ST, Ford says it will produce just 500 units for Europe, each priced from around £27,075 ($A49,000).

That's a huge premium over the $32,290 (plus on-road costs) charged for the Blue Oval's pint-sized hot hatch Down Under, but for the extra outlay you get a two-way adjustable coil-over suspension system that features trick twin-tube damper housings.

Developed and tested at Germany's Nurburgring, the new set-up sees the Fiesta ST ride 15mm lower at the front and 10mm lower at the rear.

To help provide owners with the perfect fast-road or track set-up there's 12 bump settings and a further 16 rebound adjustments.

As well as the adjustable suspension, Ford Performance says the ST Edition features lower unsprung weight, thanks to its new 10-spoke alloy wheels that individually weigh 2kg less than the stock wheels, bringing a total saving of more than 8kg.

The lighter wheels were a key element that helped engineers hone the small Fiesta ST's handling.

The result, Ford says, provides the driver with improved grip and responses thanks to the new suspension's ability to improve tyre contact with the road.

Available in Azura Blue paint only, the Fiesta ST Edition gets a gloss black diffuser, roof spoiler and badging.

Inside, there's fake carbon-fibre trim, lots of blue stitching and a new Ford Performance steering wheel that introduces an extra button to select the 'Sport' driving mode.

Sadly, despite the more track-focused suspension, Ford Performance hasn't turned up the wick of the Fiesta ST's turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, with power and torque remaining pegged at 147kW and 290Nm respectively.

That means the 0-100km/h sprint for the limited Fiesta ST is an identical 6.5 seconds, while its 230km/h top speed is also unchanged.

It's not the first time Ford Performance has offered a track-focused Fiesta ST.

In 2019, Ford introduced a tangerine-coloured Fiesta ST Performance Edition that featured an identical adjustable suspension and wheel upgrades.

Frustratingly, the latest sharper-handling Fiesta ST Edition is again set to be off the menu for Australian buyers as the suspension upgrade and calibrations were only carried out on the three-door model that's not available Down Under.