The Ford Fiesta ST200 has been revealed at the Geneva Motor Show boasting 147kW and 290Nm – Ford reckons its a future classic in the making…
FORD MIGHT HAVE knocked the idea of a Fiesta RS on the head, but that hasn’t stopped it from turning up the wick on the Fiesta. The Blue Oval has revealed its Fiesta ST200 at the Geneva Motor Show – it boasts 147kW and 290Nm of torque.
Practical Motoring asked Ford Australia for a comment about the likelihood of the Fiesta ST200 finding its way Down Under after it goes on-sale in Europe later this year and we were given the standard line of, “I’m unable to comment about future product”. Make of that what you will, but is there a not so cryptic message in that short line?
This Fiesta ST200 offers 10% more power and 20% more torque, which is the critical factor in ‘fast cars’ and you can read more about how that works HERE. Indeed, the ST200 is the most powerful Fiesta ever and will get to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds.
Thanks to the tweaked 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine’s transient overboost it can offer, for 15 seconds, even more grunt, up to 30Nm more. And, acceleration, even in top gear, should be good thanks to a shortened final drive ratio of 4.06 which is down from 3.82 in the Fiesta ST.
“The Fiesta ST is truly beloved by owners and critics. The ST200 takes this special drivers’ car to a new level of power and performance,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “I think it’s a future classic in the making.”
In addition to the exclusive exterior colour and 17-inch alloy wheel specification, Fiesta ST200 models will also get red painted brake callipers and an “enhanced interior with unique partial leather Charcoal Recaro front seats and contrasting silver stitching, alongside illuminated scuff plates and seatbelts with silver detailing”.
The Fiesta ST200 runs the same handling tweaks as the Fiesta ST, including:
▪Enhanced Torque Vectoring Control and 3-mode Electronic Stability Control;
▪A specially modified front steering knuckle;
▪An adapted rear twist-beam with increased roll-stiffness;
▪Unique front and rear spring and damper settings with a 15mm lower centre of gravity;
▪Sharper 13.69:1 steering ratio and shortened steering arm; and
▪Enhanced braking system with a larger tandem brake master cylinder and rear disc brakes.
The Fiesta ST200 is magnificent. Absolutely desirable. A very well thought out upgrade to the ST.
The power and mechanical improvements are terrific.
The wheel design looks exceptional, along with the new Storm Grey.
I can forgive it for having an ancient info system. A portable Sat-Nav will be more than suffice.
The new seat pattern is a big improvement. The rear seats look more classy.
I like the subtle Mustang theme happening with the rear lenses.
Talking about Mustangs, the Fiesta could be more comfortable in the back than the Mustang 🙂
Considering that the ST is a very sharp tool, it will be very interesting how the ST200 feels.
My feeling with Ford’s cryptic message is “yes” it is coming to Australia (fingers-crossed).
Ford Aust’ is currently doing very well with performance cars.
Absolutely agree. And I’m really not sure to make of Ford’s comment to us… It might have been a slip, but the bloke I spoke with is an ex-journo and doesn’t usually make slips… Normally they might say: We can’t comment. But to say, we can’t comment about future product. Hmmm… it’s not future as it’s being put into production in June and goes on-sale in Europe shortly afterwards, but it could be a future product for us… Argh. You know what I’m saying. – Isaac
Hopefully the “..future product..” is the Fiesta ST200, and arriving here in the 4th quarter. Looking forward to Ford Aust’ future announcement and pricing 🙂