2018 Ford Fiesta ST breaks cover
This is the all-new Ford Fiesta ST – the dialled-up performance version of the upcoming seventh generation Fiesta hatchback. Now, while it doesn’t look remarkably different from the current model, everything has changed under the skin, claims Ford.
By Shivank Bhatt
Headlined by an all-new 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, the new Ford Fiesta ST is all set to debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.
This is the all-new Ford Fiesta ST – the dialled-up performance version of the upcoming seventh generation Fiesta hatchback. Now, while it doesn’t look remarkably different from the current model, everything has changed under the skin, claims Ford. And the biggest change of all is the introduction of an all-new three-cylinder turbo engine.
The new Fiesta ST will debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor show in a couple of days along with the entire new Fiesta hatchback range. However what sets the ST apart from the rest of the range is its performance. It’s now got an all-new all-aluminium 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine – replacing the 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit of the outgoing car- that churns out 197bhp and 290Nm of torque. The engine comes mated to a 6-speed manual only, sending the drive to front wheels. With an able driver behind the wheel, the new ST will clock 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds – two-tenth quicker than the current Fiesta ST. And since it’s a downsized motor it’s also more efficient and cleaner, says Ford. In addition to that, it also features a cylinder deactivation system that shuts down one cylinder under low load conditions.
The driver can choose between three driving modes in the new Fiesta ST – Normal, Sport and Track, which are all self-explanatory, we guess. The car also comes with Torque Vectoring Control technology and three-mode ESC settings. There are some special sporty elements on the inside-out to give the car a sporty feel. This includes Recaro seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel on the inside along with a flashy new Liquid Blue colour scheme and those tasty 18-inch alloy wheels on the outside.
The new Ford Fiesta ST will go on sale early in 2018 in major global markets. It will be offered in both three-door and five-door body styles. It’s very unlikely that it’ll come to our shores anytime in the near future. That said, with VW bringing in the Polo GTI, Ford might as well give it a rethink and might launch this hot hatch here. Let’s hope they do that.
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