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Sometimes it feels like the U.S. market gets short-changed when it comes to performance cars, and Europe gets to have all the fun. But Ford has just announced that the high-performance 2014 Ford Fiesta ST will launch here in the U.S. next year. The hot ST hatch has been around in Europe since 2005 and the U.S. is finally getting the hottest compact car around. The new Fiesta ST will be officially unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show in two days.
The Fiesta will be Ford’s latest vehicle to wear the Sport Technologies badge, a global performance brand that debuted in North America earlier this year with the launch of the Focus ST. The sporty compact was developed with the help of the SVT team here in the U.S. and Team RS in Europe. The SVT team developed the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 that has the most powerful production V8 in North America. With that pedigree, the Fiesta ST also packs a powerful punch.
The most powerful compact car in the U.S.
Ford says the new Fiesta ST will be powered by a new high-output variant of the award-winning 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. The four-cylinder will produce 197 horsepower and 214 lb.-ft. of torque. When its compared with the competition, it should be the fastest compact in North America. In comparison, Mini Cooper S pumps out 181 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft., while the Chevrolet Sonic RS produces just 138 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. Even with all that power, Fiesta ST is projected to achieve up to 34 mpg.
The all-new Fiesta ST should be one fun compact car to drive. The 1.6-liter powerplant will come mated to a six-speed manual transmission. “This is a rewarding car to rev,” says Mark Roberts, Fiesta calibration supervisor. “With 177 lb.-ft. of torque available from just 1,600 rpm and 214 lb.-ft. by 3,500 rpm, Fiesta ST gives the performance and feel of an engine twice its size. There’s no waiting at all for the power to just push you back in your seat.”
Unique ST styling outside
The performance compact ST will feature a unique grille and chin spoiler with new rear diffuser and fascia extensions. Out back, the ST will sport bright tipped dual-exhaust and a high-mount spoiler along with unique 17-inch wheels. It can also be ordered with a first-ever Molten Orange tri-coat metallic paint thats pictured in the ST image above.
A precision sport-tuned suspension
In addition to plenty of power under the hood, the sporty compact also features a precision sport-tuned suspension and an improved braking system. A unique suspension to the ST model will come with a modified front knuckle that makes for a quicker overall steering ratio of 13.6:1. Ford says the ST will have more direct and responsive steering than the base model.
Other suspension upgrades will include a rear axle with increased roll stiffness to improve stability through the corners. Body roll will also be improved with the ST model sitting 15 millimeters closer to the ground than the base Fiesta. Electronic Torque Vectoring Control is used to reduce understeer during spirited driving maneuvers. The driver will be able to select three-mode electronic stability control: standard, sport or off which enables the selection of electronic aid based on current conditions.
The all-new Ford Fiesta ST is yet another proof that compact cars can be performance oriented and anything but boring. Ford has not announced pricing, but the high-performance 2014 Ford Fiesta ST will be in showrooms in spring of 2013.
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