Ford has unveiled its new Fiesta ST hot hatch – and it gets almost 200bhp.
It’s based on the platform of the all-new seventh generation Fiesta that’s due out in the summer. Normally Ford waits a while before launching a hot hatch version. That it’s not reflects the huge popularity of the current Fiesta ST, a car that comes top of virtually any motoring expert’s list of supermini hot hatches.
The chief news is Ford has ditched the outgoing ST’s peppy 1.6-litre petrol engine and replaced it with a 1.5 three-cylinder unit. That sounds like a recipe for disaster, but on paper at least it’s actually good news with the latest engine expected to outperform its predecessor for performance and fuel economy.
The new ST hits 62mph from rest in 6.7sec — 0.2sec faster than the outgoing Fiesta ST.
The new car also introduces three drive modes, which adjust engine, steering and stability controls. There are more customisation options than previously, too.
The engine also features cylinder deactivation technology, a world first for a three-cylinder engine but increasingly common on bigger engines and used frequently on Volkswagen Group TSI petrol units. The move will help improve fuel efficiency by shutting down one cylinder when full capacity power isn’t needed, such as when cruising with little demand on the engine.
A major new addition for the Fiesta ST is the introduction of three drive modes: Normal, Sport and Track. Sport mode sharpens throttle responses and increases steering feedback, Ford says.
In Track mode, all of the vehicle’s dynamics are tuned for the fastest possible lap times, traction control is disabled and electronic stability control is set to up for circuit driving.
As is the case with the current car, it’s available in three or five door models.
Inside there are Recaro seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. Customers can choose from a range of trims for the gearlever, steering wheel and door pulls, as well as a number of styling packs.
