Usual XR4 hints via drive.com.au

[shevek]

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/p...0430-txtz.html

"Ford is yet to replace the XR4 hatch, which was based on the previous-generation Fiesta, but the company is readying a turbocharged version of the new Fiesta.

Spy photographers have captured a hotted-up Fiesta prototype going through its paces in the US. The development car has an intercooler visible through the front grille, while other performance cues include sports wheels, a body kit and a rear diffuser with twin exhaust pipes.

Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary won't confirm the existence of a Fiesta-based performance car but says a replacement for the XR4 is on Ford's wish-list. "The XR4 did well for us and we'd love another one in the line-up," she says."

With Barry Park

[dannyhilton]

Drive seem to outdo themselves every day with their rubbish, biased, tabloid style journalism. But it's good to see a Ford Australia spokesperson acknowledge that a new XR4 would be of benefit.

The truth here is there is an XR4/ST Fiesta is development as we speak. Ford did put this on the back burner for a while after the MK7 Fiesta was launched, but I suspect this was to ready the Focus ST so it could be launched within months of the regular Focus. The other fact is that the car you see in this article is actually a car that was used to promote the Fiesta is the US as part of the Fiesta Movement Two. But rest assured, around facelift time next year there should be an ST Fiesta! Finally.