Ford Delivers Most Powerful and Dynamic Fiesta Ever with the New Fiesta ST

[russellw]

New Fiesta ST delivers 134 kW and 240 Nm of torque, the most powerful production Fiesta ever developed

Ford tunes power-train, suspension, steering and brakes for optimised driving dynamics; introduces enhanced Torque Vectoring Control and 3-mode Dynamic Stability Control to Fiesta

Feature-packed Fiesta ST comes standard with Ford SYNC™and introduces Emergency Assistance to the Fiesta range

Stylish new Fiesta ST offers unique grille, dynamic headlight design, and dramatic rear diffuser element; Recaro® seats, unique ST detailing and Sound Symposer.

MELBOURNE , 1 July, 2013

The new Ford Fiesta ST is Ford’s most powerful and dynamic Fiesta ever, employing a precision-tuned and driver-focused power-train and chassis to deliver the ultimate Fiesta driving experience.

Developed by Ford Team RS, the European arm of Ford Motor Company’s Global Performance Vehicle group, the new Fiesta ST is equipped with a 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine that offers 134 kW and 240 Nm of torque with up to 147kW and 290Nm of torque available through an over-boost function. The new Fiesta ST offers fuel economy of 6.2-litres/100 km†.

Ford Team RS tuned the power-train, suspension, steering and brakes for optimised driving dynamics; and introduced features only previously found in larger performance cars – including enhanced Torque Vectoring Control (eTVC) and 3-mode Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), six speed manual transmission and rear disc brakes.
The new Fiesta ST features a large trapezoidal grille with a unique honeycomb construction, dramatic rear diffuser element and 17”x7” alloy wheels. The refined high-contrast interior is equipped with Recaro® seats, and a new Sound Symposer channels the engine note to the cabin to ensure the distinctive engine roar is integral to the driving experience.



Ford Australia general marketing manager, David Katic, said performance buyers were looking for a car like the Fiesta ST.
“Not since the Fiesta XR4 has Ford had such a performance offering in this segment,” Katic said. “The Fiesta ST leverages the performance input of our European team to deliver a very refined car that will appeal to a broad spread of customers.”
“It is already a smash hit in Europe with a bank of customer orders. Like the Focus ST, the Fiesta ST delivers a precise, unsurpassed driving experience with the efficiency of a 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine. It’s a car that speaks directly to connoisseurs of the hot hatchback, who have a passion for performance driving.”

Emergency Assistance now on Fiesta ST
With the addition of the segment-first Emergency Assistance technology, the Fiesta ST brings some remarkable new features and capability to the light car market.

Emergency Assistance delivers a critical voice message directly to 000 operators, indicating that a vehicle has been involved in an accident in which the vehicle’s airbags have been deployed or the fuel cut-off switch has been activated and opens the line for hands-free communication.

The Ford SYNC Emergency Assistance system uses the driver’s own mobile phone via Bluetooth®* and runs in the background once the phone is properly paired with SYNC and is within mobile phone range.

Electronically-optimised enhanced chassis
Fiesta ST features eTVC which applies brake force to the inside front wheel when cornering to improve road holding and reduce under-steer without affecting speed. New Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) software controls the Fiesta ST’s balance in response to steering inputs under acceleration and braking. The DSC on Fiesta ST offers three distinct settings - drivers can turn DSC on for full intervention; a reduced or wide-slip mode disables traction control and activates DSC only when absolutely necessary; and finally, DSC can be switched off altogether.

Both eTVC and DSC support a specially modified front steering knuckle, adapted rear twist beam with increased roll-stiffness, unique front and rear spring and damper settings, and a 15 mm lower centre of gravity; for optimised handling and ride quality.
Electronic Power Assisted Steering offers a sharper steering ratio of 13.69:1 and a shorter steering arm for a more direct response. The Fiesta ST debuts rear disc brakes on the Fiesta platform and introduces a larger tandem brake master cylinder that boosts braking performance.

“This car can put a smile on your face corner-after-corner and delivers absolute precision in power delivery and handling,” Katic said.

EcoBoost engine technology
The EcoBoost engine’s low weight contributes towards improved handling; and brings technologies including turbocharging, high-pressure direct fuel-injection and Twin-independent Variable Cam Timing to Fiesta ST resulting in a 34% power increase over the previous Fiesta performance model sold in Australia, the XR4.
The EcoBoost engine can offer customers even more power via an over-boost function.

Operating between 1600rpm and 6000rpm, the over-boost function can increase maximum engine output to 147kW of power and 290Nm of torque for up to 20 seconds at a time to create a truly dynamic driving experience.

The unique engine and a new six-speed manual transmission calibration was refined at the Nürburgring Nordschleife over the equivalent of more than 100 laps of the 21 km circuit.

Engine
1.6-litre EcoBoost
Power
134 kW @ 6000 RPM
Torque
240 Nm @ 1600 - 5000 RPM
Fuel Economy
6.2-litres/100 km†
CO2 Emissions 145g/km
145g/km†

Developed for the track, but practical and economical
Ford subjected the new Fiesta to 850,000 kilometres of durability testing. To ensure the new Fiesta ST offers high levels of reliability even in the face of the most demanding customer usage Ford subjected the hot hatchback to a further 7,500 km of race track testing and 5,000 km of high speed testing.

This included a “torture test” at the Nardo Technical Centre proving grounds, Italy, during which the Fiesta ST was driven flat-out in temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius. Katic said
“We’ve worked relentlessly to bring the Fiesta ST to Australia, it’s a car our hot-hatch customers have been crying out for and we’re very happy to say the wait is almost over.”

The new Fiesta ST goes on sale in September 2013.

[DJM83]

Cant wait for this to hit the market. Thanks for the spiel Russ.

[LeadFoot81]

I've been waiting for this model since the WS was released.

Enough with the press releases Ford, shut up and take my money!! ;)

[jpd80]

Great move, very efficient little car and most importantly, it has enough power and handling to excite Fiesta buyers.

Wrong thread to say but base 1.5 engine and 1.0 Ecoboost will also be winners
especially teamed with Powershift Auto on the base model..

[Danny]

***king brilliant car. The small hot hatch to have right now. I'd have one over the new ClioSport 200T because it simply is a better car. Despite that silly DustBuster front, I can't wait to see one in the flesh!