- The Ford Fiesta ST Concept, which previews a future high-performance Fiesta, debuted on Tuesday at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show.
- The Fiesta ST Concept is equipped with a specially tuned 177-hp 1.6-liter Ford EcoBoost engine.
- The Fiesta ST Concept is inspired by the Ford Fiesta World Rally Car.
FRANKFURT, Germany — The Ford Fiesta ST Concept, which previews a future high-performance Fiesta, debuted on Tuesday at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, providing a major adrenaline boost to the small-car segment.
The three-door Fiesta ST is the latest salvo in Ford's new global performance vehicles strategy. It follows the Ford Focus ST, which debuted at the 2010 Paris Auto Show and is set to go on sale in early 2012.
The Fiesta ST "is a logical next step in our performance vehicle strategy for our global small cars," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of global product development, in a statement.
While specific production plans are still under wraps, Ford said in a statement that the Fiesta ST previews "the future direction for a high-performance Fiesta." No word on pricing for the high-performance Fiesta.
The Fiesta ST Concept is equipped with a specially tuned 177-horsepower 1.6-liter Ford EcoBoost engine linked to a six-speed manual transmission. The Fiesta ST sprints from zero to 62 mph in less than 7 seconds.
"A top speed exceeding 220 km/h (137 mph) is possible," said Ford in a statement.
The Fiesta ST Concept is inspired by the Ford Fiesta World Rally Car and borrows its Molten Orange exterior paint job from the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.
The concept gets a lowered stance, 17-inch alloy wheels and an ST body kit. A trapezoidal grille is borrowed from the Ford Focus ST. The cabin gets a sports interior with Recaro seats for the driver and front passenger.
"The Fiesta ST Concept shows in the most dramatic way possible that the qualities that define an ST are not limited to one model," said Jost Capito, Ford's director of global performance vehicles in a statement. "The potential for delivering the ST experience to an even wider audience are (sic) laid bare by this striking new concept."
Inside Line says: One of the most important debuts in Frankfurt, as Ford insists that it's serious about high performance.
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5lv8 says:
11:44 AM, 10/13/2011
I watched the Frankfurt Auto Show wanting to know more about the Focus ST, but I after the show I am now more interested in the Fiesta ST. Why? The Focus ST was announced with a starting price in the high twenty thousand range and no quality limited slip differential. The Fiesta ST will probably start around $18,000-$19,000 and probably nicely equipped for around $25,000. If the Fiesta ST produces MPG average in the 25-30 range with regular fuel, then I will gladly choose it over the more expensive Focus ST. I am keeping my fingers crossed the Fiesta ST and Veloster Turbo will be good competitors and improve the fuel efficient fast hatchbacks market.
arthurbishop says:
12:25 PM, 09/13/2011
Looks good and has some power. I like it. Hope it comes across to America as is.
se_riously says:
09:58 AM, 09/13/2011
eldaino2: Probably no limited slip. The Focus ST is getting some electronic torque vectoring BS, so there's no realistic way a Fiesta ST is going one-up the Focus.
stratrat3 says:
09:11 AM, 09/13/2011
I hope it will be produced for the U.S. market!
moar_revs says:
08:52 AM, 09/13/2011
Fit Si, Mazdaspeed2.... would the US market be able to sustain such small but sporty hatches? Bring on the Focus ST & RS (5 door hatch form, of course), continue the Mazdaspeed3 into the next gen, bring back a real Civic Si, and I'll be happy.
frank908 says:
06:19 AM, 09/13/2011
neutral
eldaino2 says:
05:52 AM, 09/13/2011
@se_riously: that may be doable. The current fiesta is pretty light. dunno about the limited slip though. with good suspension tuning, 177hp should be manageable, but then again, it probably makes a nice little bit of torque down low too.
sigh....honda where is your fit si?
hotrodw says:
04:53 AM, 09/13/2011
Nice! It's about time somebody turned up the heat in this segment.
ambee514 says:
04:31 AM, 09/13/2011
Seems pretty awesome, so I do not expect a US release
se_riously says:
01:11 AM, 09/13/2011
Limited slip differential and under 2500 pounds would be ideal.