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| Fiesta S to get more powerful ST sibling |
Ford Europe bosses have signed off on a new Fiesta ST.
The junior hot hatch is planned to get an airing at the Frankfurt auto show in September alongside a facelifted version of the standard Fiesta.
Powering the new car is Ford’s new turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine, also planned for the new Focus among other models from the Blue Oval stable.
With 182bhp and 199lb ft (270Nm) of torque it provides the Fiesta ST with 0-62mph (100km/h) acceleration in seven seconds and a top speed of 143mph – enough to give the Volkswagen Polo GTi a fright.
Along with the boost in performance, Ford Europe designers have also given the range topping Fiesta a more aggressive appearance. Included is a larger grille, beefed up front bumper, blackened headlight graphics, wider sills, lower rear bumper and a pair of chromed tail pipes.
There’s no official word yet on whether the Fiesta ST will be sold in North America but Ford officials in Dearborn are said to be pushing for its inclusion in the US line-up. "It's a simple matter of profitability. If we can get the numbers to stack up, we'll look to bring it in."
