The 2022 update for the Ford Fiesta ST has been unveiled with a number of design updates and new features. The subcompact hot hatch has also been given a slight increase in torque to expand it edge in the segment.
Making the Ford Fiesta ST visually different is a new bonnet design that increases the height of the nose. This is accentuated by a larger upper grille and a repositioning of the Ford badge which now sits within the grille rather than the bonnet lip. The hatch gains a pair of Matrix LED headlamp clusters up-front while the taillamps are given new black surrounds for a more sophisticated look. Two new colours have also been added to the package; Boundless Blue and ST-signature Mean Green.
Within the cabin of the Ford Fiesta ST facelift, new in-house designed performance seats have been installed. This setup boasts an integrated 14-way adjustment and is upholstered with red contrast stitching and Sensico material. The flat-bottomed steering wheel boasts a matte carbon-effect foil with red detailing to further enhance the sporty ambiance. New to the cabin as well is the 12,3-inch customisable TFT digital instrument cluster.
The Ford Fiesta ST facelift retains its turbopetrol 1,5-litre three-cylinder engine with a power output of 147 kW but peak torque has been increased from 290 to 320 N.m available from 1 600 to 4 000 r/min. The drive selector mode has also been given a Track function which disables the traction control and sets the electronic stability control to wide-slip mode for circuit racing.
When this model was revealed in 2018, Ford South Africa confirmed that it would not be introuduced into South Africa.
In a short statement issued to CARmag.co.za, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa would say only: “The Fiesta ST will unfortunately not be coming to SA, due to our fuel quality”.
On the recent international launch of the new Focus, officials from the brand suggested to us that South Africa’s fuel would not be compatible with the petrol particulate filter fitted to the Fiesta ST’s 1,5-litre engine. Of course, to obtain approval under the upcoming Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) regulations, petrol vehicles must feature a gasoline particulate filter.
