A cocky 110 kW ST derivative of the Ford Fiesta range will début at the Geneva Show. Could FMCSA, which recently launched the new Fiesta in South Africa, be persuaded to bring the ST here?
A cocky 110 kW ST derivative of the Ford Fiesta range will début at the Geneva Show. Could FMCSA, which recently launched the new Fiesta in South Africa, be persuaded to bring the ST here?
The South African public stood up and took notice when CAR, in its November 2003 issue, gave the Ford Focus ST170 the edge over the highly-rated Mini Cooper S and Renault Clio Sport 2,0. Silverton-based manufacturer Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa then recently topped off its facelifted Mondeo range with the throbbing three-litre V6-engined ST220.
But the spirited new Fiesta ST, powered by a 110 kW two-litre Duratec ST engine and featuring a performance-tuned chassis, promises to make Ford’s performance nameplate accessible to a greater part of the motoring public. Remember the days when cars such as the Escort XR3 and Laser 1600i Sport were a common siight on South African roads?
As can be seen from these pictures, the ST has new front and rear bumpers, side and rocker mouldings, and colour-keyed details such as body colour door handles, rub strips, exterior mirror caps and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, racing style seats are embroidered in black leather with bold red cloth centre sections and the distinctive new ST logo, reports say. The leather steering wheel will apparently feature a bright steering wheel spoke and there will be added brightwork on the handbrake and door pull .
“The new Fiesta ST puts Ford back into the heartland of small-car performance in a great-to-drive package that’s accessible for driving enthusiasts to own and insure,” said Paul Thomas, managing director, Ford of Britain. “The latest generation Fiesta is solid as a rock. It was the ideal basis for a performance derivative”.