Fiesta ST Why Isn't It Here !!!

[csv8]

Wed Nov 22 04:27:08 Europe/London 2006
Sporty Fiestas Have Long Found Favour With British Buyers. Ford Hope The Fiesta ST Will Be No Exception. By Andy Enright

There are very few dead certs in the motoring world. That which we think is set in stone often turns out to be built on foundations of clay. A car thats at the top of the sales charts one year can rapidly fall from favour the next. Despite this, its difficult to see how a car like the Ford Fiesta ST can possibly come up short.

Hot Fiestas have long been a favourite amongst the young and young at heart and the ST will doubtless be the most capable yet.

Build
Comfort
Depreciation
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Equipment
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Performance
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I can still remember the moment that my brother, freshly commissioned into the Royal Air Force, arrived home with his present to himself, a Mk 1 1983 Ford Fiesta XR2 finished in Glacier Blue. Having cut his teeth in a Triumph Toledo, the 84bhp of the XR2 represented some seriously extreme power under his teenaged right boot. He let me drive it in a suitably spacious car park and I can remember being astonished at the brakes, the grip and the overall performance. But then I was fifteen.

Fast forward a good few years and we are now treated to the £13,595 Fiesta ST, a car that packs a hefty 150bhp but which represents only the first rung on the specialist Fiesta performance ladder. Yes, we had seen the Focus ST170 and the Mondeo ST200/220 but the Fiesta was the first of Fords Sports Technologies models to carry a newly designed ST badge without the use of numbers. This branding has since appeared on the Focus ST and will be adopted by all new ST models for the foreseeable. Back in the days of the XR2, a solid 150bhp was the preserve of pretty serious executive cars.

Even BMWs 323i - the benchmark drivers car in its class could only muster 120bhp. The Fiesta ST would eat it for breakfast before dropping the kids off at school, taking a run to Asda and then giving the groceries a good agitation on the twisty route back. Sixty from rest takes 7.9s on the way to 129mph.

"Ford insiders have hinted that the Fiesta ST isnt much slower around their Lommel test track than the mighty RS Focus"

Its easily identifiably by the beefier front and rear bumpers, side moulding strips and colour- keyed detailing such as the door handles and mirrors. Most will be attracted by a set of very purposeful looking seventeen-inch multispoke alloys. Theyre not quite as iconic as the old XR2s pepperpot alloy wheels but theyre a neat set of rims nonetheless. Indoors there are racing style seats embroidered in black leather with bright red cloth inserts and finished with ST logos.

A leather steering wheel, white metal pedals and a metal finish for the handbrake and door handles help give the interior a little extra visual flair. All of these extras fit over the latest Fiesta facelift with its improved interior plastics and the sleeker front end that lends itself to sportier models in the range like the ST. More than 34,000 XR2i's were bought by Britain's hot hatch fans. According to Ford, the Fiesta ST puts them back into the heartland of small-car performance in a great-to-drive package thats accessible for driving enthusiasts to own and insure. Feel free to disagree. The 2.

0-litre Duratec engine is the brainchild of Leo Roeks and his band of engineers at FordTeamRS. They have worked to create not only the ST but also a 180bhp RS version. Roeks explains how an RS model "would join the new Fiesta ST to demonstrate how two distinct Ford performance brands can complement our mainstream models. I believe that Ford performance cars will be true to their heritage and exploit to the full the outstanding vehicle dynamics that are recognised to be an intrinsic part of the modern Ford range." He has a point. Ford have recently opened up quite a gap over the chasing pack when it comes to vehicle dynamics and given the paucity of talent in the Vauxhall Corsa line up, the Fiesta ST should hammer its point home hard. The key threat will doubtless come from Renault, as hotter Clio Sport models are both inexpensive and abundantly powerful. Otherwise, things are much as they are in any Fiesta three door.

Headroom is 8mm less than in the five-door variant, but the rear is no longer cramped or claustrophobic, rakish rear notwithstanding. Rear passengers also benefit from class leading knee clearance and because there are no rear doors, the shoulder room of 1,355mm is also top of the shop for a three-door supermini. There are stowage bins to the side of the rear seat and entry and exit from the rear is easy due to the long doors. As a result its a bit of a stretch for the seatbelts when seated up front.

The Fiesta had something of a low key introduction. The ST will certainly be enough to get it noticed a little more amongst keen drivers, although many genuine enthusiasts will doubtless hold out in hope of a more evocative RS model becoming available. Patience may be a virtue but its not going to paint as big a grin on your face as a few months behind the wheel of a Fiesta ST. Ford insiders have hinted that the ST isnt much slower around the Lommel test track than the mighty RS Focus.

High praise indeed, suggesting that this car is as good as the old XR2. That particular hot hatch certainly painted a huge grin on my brothers face - right up to the point that he drove it head-on into a Volvo 244DL. After that, he had to concede that the cars crashworthiness wasnt all it could have been. One sure thing is that the ST will be a much better car to crash in.

But please just take our word for that.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Ford Fiesta ST
PRICE: £13,595 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 13E
CO2 EMISSIONS: 179g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 7.9s / Max speed 129mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 27.2mpg / (extra urban) 49.6mpg / (combined) 38.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver's and passenger airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 3921/1683

[Quicklier]

You should add the word 'yet' to the thread title.
It's coming.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Quicklier

You should add the word 'yet' to the thread title.
It's coming.

Yeap, I think there is a thread in the Fez section about it. Also maybe a ARC AWD version?

[photn]

try www.fordfiestaxr4.com and follow the Discussion link

[MISTA FIESTA]

Originally Posted by photn

try www.fordfiestaxr4.com and follow the Discussion link

I belive this website will be updated quite soon as there is alot of new info about this little beast. Stay Tuned....

And yes i want one :eclipsee_

[Ives]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Yeap, I think there is a thread in the Fez section about it. Also maybe a ARC AWD version?

I dont think there will be an AWD Ford Fiesta XR4 simple because I dont think Ford will bother to engineer an AWD XR4.
As I said 67 years ago, it's a matter of time until the XR4 is available here in Australia.

www.fordfiestaxr4.com is THE website to check out.

[351ciofgrunt]

Front Wheel Drive --> only good for the missus

[photn]

Originally Posted by 351ciofgrunt

Front Wheel Drive --> only good for the missus

Please post Constructive critisism and leave the insults out thank you......some people cannot afford large cars or powerful ones such as your XC falcon. so please keep in mind other peoples situations before making remarks as the one above. Not to mention that its a sexist remark, its not the 1950's anymore.

But yes Hyperkid the realistic view of the AWD xr4 is very slim. its highly doubtful that there will be any in AUS. Though with the rally team switching to a Fiesta for the rally. we may see some limited edition Fiestas.....who knows.

[Polyal]

Yeah I never said that it will be for sale, just racing.

[Fast Eddie]

The Australian Rally Championship website has all the info regarding the plans to run the Fiesta in next year's Championship.

[photn]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Yeah I never said that it will be for sale, just racing.

true but i heard someware( i may be wrong) that a vehicle must me sold in australia ( a certain amount of units) before it is allowed into a rally spec or sumthing rather.?

Does this apply to this category?

[Piotr]

There will be no AWD fiesta sold, only the ones run in the ARC. The Fiesta will run under the prototype rules just as the Corolla and Focus did. No need to homologate the cars.

How old is that article? They talk about the Fiesta RS but the RS program was cancelled back in 03 or 04.

[photn]

Originally Posted by Piotr

There will be no AWD fiesta sold, only the ones run in the ARC. The Fiesta will run under the prototype rules just as the Corolla and Focus did. No need to homologate the cars.

How old is that article? They talk about the Fiesta RS but the RS program was cancelled back in 03 or 04.

Wed Nov 22 04:27:08 Europe/London 2006

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[MrSparkle]

It's because Ford AU is demonstrably 2+ years behind in figuring simple things out.

[Ives]

Originally Posted by 351ciofgrunt

Front Wheel Drive --> only good for the missus

Originally Posted by photn

Please post Constructive critisism and leave the insults out thank you......some people cannot afford large cars or powerful ones such as your XC falcon. so please keep in mind other peoples situations before making remarks as the one above. Not to mention that its a sexist remark, its not the 1950's anymore.

Forget about him Photn, low-lives like him dont deserve our attention.

[xurbanx]

I'll have to sell the Fiesta and get into debt again to buy the ST Hopefully it'll arrive next year, and come on enough with the "Fiesta and/or FWD-is-a-chicks-car" comments.

[Ives]

Dont worry about them, they're only keyboard warrior. Sound really tough on the net, but in the real world got KTFO instantly.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by HyperKid

Dont worry about them, they're only keyboard warrior. Sound really tough on the net, but in the real world got KTFO instantly.

Ok now let it go. Youve said your bit, they said theirs, on with the thread!

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by HyperKid

Dont worry about them, they're only keyboard warrior. Sound really tough on the net, but in the real world got KTFO instantly.

HAHAHAH WTF are you talking about.

No wonder you Fez boys dont come out of your section much.

[EDXR65SPEED]

When is the Diesel one coming???
A bloke at work went to UK for a holiday and rented a Focus TDCI. He was driving it and became worried about the fuel gauge being faulty as he had done 700mi and still had 1/8th of a tank! (constant motorway driving).
In the end he found this was not the case.

[Ives]

^^^ IMO, it would make sense if Ford Australia bring in the 1.6l TDCi Fiesta sometimes next year, but I havent heard anything about TDCi coming into Australia anytime soon.

[AUIII XR8 MAN]

Ford Aus really lets it self down in this area.

[photn]

^^^ true true. there is a 1.4 TDCI fiesta that gets Fenomonal milage. absolutely heaps of k's out of it. sumthing like 4 ltrs per 100 km out of a 41 ltr tank. its so good. but ford havent released it in aus because they are behind and are hiding behind there larger car market.

[photn]

The ST/XR4 is good for up to 200 Bhp at least. considering the 1.6 can handle up to 150kw on the stock engine (so i have heard) it would be a good little condender and a fast little pocket rocket.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by photn

^^^ true true. there is a 1.4 TDCI fiesta that gets Fenomonal milage. absolutely heaps of k's out of it. sumthing like 4 ltrs per 100 km out of a 41 ltr tank. its so good. but ford havent released it in aus because they are behind and are hiding behind there larger car market.

Mate, there is alot more to importing a car then simply saying "ok lets do it".

Is the tiny car diesel market that big?

From what I can tell its more suited to the meduim sized cars, say focus and bigger.

A fez is already good enough on petrol!

[Ives]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Mate, there is alot more to importing a car then simply saying "ok lets do it".

Is the tiny car diesel market that big?

From what I can tell its more suited to the meduim sized cars, say focus and bigger.

A fez is already good enough on petrol!

A 1.6l Duratorq TDCi engine is also available in addition to the 1.4l, perhaps Ford Aus can consider the 1.6l TDCi... especially in the times of "rising-of-fuel-prices--oooh nooo"

[photn]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Mate, there is alot more to importing a car then simply saying "ok lets do it".

Is the tiny car diesel market that big?

From what I can tell its more suited to the meduim sized cars, say focus and bigger.

A fez is already good enough on petrol!

heck i knows its not "That simple" but look at it like this. the Fiesta has been around for how long? and yes i know the small car market has started to pick up recently.

At the moment i only know of VW as having a Deisel in a passanger car. (not counting 4wd's or utes)

VW has the polo which is the equivelent as the fiesta, they have the golf, im guessing the jetta as well.

the tiny car deisel market isnt that big for the reason that the Polo TDI is the only car out there (that i know of anyway. i know there isnt many)

om not saying that ford SHOULD bring it out here now. im just saying that there could be a possible market for it. especially for people that live in the city/rental companies/small company's/car company's.

think about it. you already get a AWesum milage out of a tdci. the price of unleaded keeps going up. and from ware i live the price of deisel seems to sorta stay the same. so youd be getting awesum fuel consuption and also awesum fuel prices. its a win win situation for anyone who lives in the city or just needs a extremely economical car.

but lets not talk about that. lol......Xr4 is the topic lol. i just wish Ford wouldnt Hide behind there falcons and terries......

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by photn

but lets not talk about that. lol......Xr4 is the topic lol. i just wish Ford wouldnt Hide behind there falcons and terries......

They hardly hide.

The Oz market is tiny, so bringing in new models is very hard to do, espically when money is tight and the accountants have the last say.

A focus diesel would make more sense.

But your right, lets talk about the XR4, thats a good move thats overdue.

[photn]

Originally Posted by Polyal

They hardly hide.

The Oz market is tiny, so bringing in new models is very hard to do, espically when money is tight and the accountants have the last say.

A focus diesel would make more sense.

But your right, lets talk about the XR4, thats a good move thats overdue.

damn straight......XR4 long over due.....we need a bit of spice. .........

(the current fez needs some adds. i dont see any fez adds, there is like no marketing for the fez at all. i only see terri adds and falcon adds.....)

[MISTA FIESTA]

Ford = Snuggling the Falcon/Teritory Security Blanket.

XR4 = I want one.