ST Fiesta in Oz

[Fair302]

Hi,

My missus has a WP Zetec and I read in MOTOR mag yesterday that Ford Oz is considering bringing the ST over here. Anyone know anything more about this? Would love to know expected pricing.

Baz

[photn]

you and everybody else lol. we are all on the edge of our toes waiting for a anything from ford in regards to the ST lol.

[MISTA FIESTA]

There is previous post all about a petition (made by urs truely) and articles off the press.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...ghlight=fiesta

Taken from goauto.com.au

Ford confirms the Fiesta ST is back under evaluation, and could be sold as the XR4

By NEIL McDONALD 18 July 2006

THE prospects of a hot Fiesta are gaining ground at Ford, on the back of the overnight success of the Focus XR5.

Ford Australia chief, Tom Gorman, believes there now may be room in the line-up for the 2.0-litre Fiesta ST, if the business case stacks up.

"I would have said this time last year, no; because our volume (Fiesta) was so much smaller," he said.

"When you’re doing 300 to 400 a month it’s hard to get excited about something like that.

"But now when you’re talking about 600 to 700 a month it does rear its head as a possibility and particularly when you look at the success of the XR5."

Mr Gorman said the economics previously were against adding a hot Fiesta.

"When we had a look at it before the economics were hard but when you come back and look at what you might take on a volume basis it changes," he said.

"We are revisiting that."

Ford of Europe builds the Fiesta ST (Sports Technologies), which develops 110kW/190Nm from a 2.0-litre Duratec four-cylinder engine.

This endows the hot hatch to reach 100km/h in eight seconds, on its way to a top speed of more than 220km/h.

As part of the car’s sporty intent it also gains a lowered sports suspension, 17-inch wheels and various exterior adornments.

Mr Gorman said a hot Fiesta would not be a strong seller in the rural market as it would be primarily driven by the metro markets with strong dealer support.

He acknowledged that Ford had looked at the VW’s success with the Golf GTi and subsequently the Polo GTi.

If a hot Fiesta joined the Ford line up it could wear the "XR" moniker, providing a strong sports statement right through the Ford passenger car range.

Since its launch in April, demand for the Focus XR5 has outstripped supply, highlighting the increasing buyer interest in high-performance four-cylinders wearing local badges.

Ford has sold all its allocation and is currently seeking more models out of Germany, where the car is built.

Apart from the XR5, Mr Gorman is keen to expand the Focus brand, possibly adding the Focus Cabrio and TDCi turbo-diesel model.

However, Mr Gorman believes such vehicles must make economic sense before they could be considered for the local market.

"We definitely want to extend the brand," he said.

"The first step of brand extension for us is always to go the performance route and XR5 is a good example, Territory turbo is also great example of that.

"We’re evaluating a lot of other opportunities with Focus. In each case they are not enormous volumes players but as halos they do generate a lot of interest for us."

Mr Gorman said Ford had sold out of its planned volume of 40 a month for the XR5 and dealers are reporting an expanding order bank.

Ford is currently negotiating with the factory in Germany to get more cars.

"If we could get more we could sell more, but it is short everywhere in the world," he said.

"The car has been a success in every market it is in."
__________________________________________________ _

The success of the Fiesta has taken Ford by surprise.

28 July 2006


A sales jump for Fiesta has Ford revisiting the hot ST, writes JAMES STANFORD

A RED-HOT version of the Fiesta hatch is being reconsidered by Ford Australia. The Fiesta ST, which would take on the Volkswagen Polo GTi, was originally dismissed by Ford Australia because it believed there was not enough demand for it.

But now that sales of the Fiesta range have picked up, Ford is having second thoughts about the potent micro-hatch.

"We are looking at it again," Ford Australia president Tom Gorman says.

"When we looked at it before, the economics were hard. But we are revisiting that."

Gorman says the success of the turbo Focus XR5 and improved sales of the whole Fiesta range have triggered the rethink.

"This time last year I would have said no, because our volume (of standard Fiesta) was so much smaller," Gorman says.


"When you're doing 300 to 400 a month it's hard to get excited about something like that. But when you're talking about 600 to 700 a month it is a possibility, particularly when you look at the success of the XR5."

Gorman says the Fiesta ST business case didn't stack up when Ford Australia examined it last time.

"When we looked at it before the economics were hard, but when you come back and look at what you might take on a volume basis it changes," he says.

The Fiesta ST uses a meaty 2.0-litre engine that pumps out 110kW and 190Nm of torque.

The specially tuned engine is not turbocharged, but is still quite strong. Ninety per cent of peak torque is available from as low as 1350 revs.

Given its relatively low weight tally of 1137kg, there is enough grunt to push the ST from 0-100km/h in a respectable -- but not scintillating -- 7.9 seconds.

The ST sits on big 17-inch alloy wheels and is fitted with a body kit including beefier bumpers, side skirts and a rear-mounted spoiler.

The ST can be ordered with optional racing stripes, which, apart from a Blue Oval badge, is the only thing this baby car has in common with the GT that Ford photographed it with (above).

Ford Australia is also looking hard at bringing a convertible version of the Focus here, following the success of the XR5.

"We are definitely looking at it," Gorman says. "It's not an enormous player for us so we have to make sure the economics make sense."

[LeadFoot81]

Import it and we'll buy one Ford! Nuff said

[Danny]

Awww Shhitchyeah!

[Swaytan]

I'm in enough debt as it is, I couldn't afford one!