Fiesta ST Set to Rattle the Gti [Sydney Morning Herald]

[Molotov]

Sounds like it's a long way off but by the time Volkswagen actually fulfills the orders it'll probably be here.

Fiesta ST set to rattle GTI | concept

It’s a concept for now, but the Ford Fiesta ST is likely to arrive as a pocket rocket contender to challenge the likes of the Volkswagen Polo GTI.

Ford has all but confirmed it will revive a sports version of the popular Fiesta small car with reveal of a Fiesta ST concept at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show.

With a turbochared 1.6-litre four-cylinder making 132kW of power the Fiesta ST is a prime competitor to the likes of the Volkswagen Polo GTI - if it gets built.

Ford Australia won’t comment on the chances of the Fiesta ST being sold here because the car is officially a concept, but European sources suggest it’s all but a done deal, giving Ford a natural successor to the 2.0-litre-powered Fiesta ST available in the previous generation model until a couple of years ago.
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“This is a concept at the moment. We haven’t actually announced any production plans,” says Ford vice president of research and innovation Paul Mascarenas.

“We have announced the ST brand is going global so any products we develop as ST models will be available globally.”

With 132kW of power from a new 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine the Fiesta ST promises above average performance in a sub-$30,000 hatchback package.

The Fiesta ST also picks up styling tweaks inspired by the World Rally Championship program.

Unique bumpers and grille team with larger wheels to create a more aggressive look.

Mascarenas says the ST brand will be marketed globally, meaning the end of the Focus XR5, which is instead set to be called the Focus ST as a next generation model – another unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show.

[Hail22]

Ford

Found

On

Rubbish

Dump.

let me guess, battery issues, alternator problems, cpu malfunction and loads of wait time at the service centre while brainless monkeys figure there is a seal missing from the engine block.

Don't trust ford the best ford is a Taxi.

[nightphotographer]

Glad they're ditching the XR4/5 names - it's been ST in europe for about a decade now.

[nightphotographer]

Just followed the link and that thing is so ugly - no competition whatsover to the new GTI.

[Hail22]

Just followed the link and that thing is so ugly - no competition whatsover to the new GTI.

Ugly is an understatement this thing makes a puss filled wound look more appealing.

[triode12]

I thought you guys were overreacting and being vw fanbois till I clicked on the link and looked at the pics. Yeah...it is ugly.

[Corey_R]

Hmmm.... it's as if they're trying to do a Aston DB9 front, but a little more angular since they don't own Aston anymore.

I really don't like the colour, and I think maybe that is contributing to the bad vibes I have about its looks. Maybe in a Focus RS green or a dark blue or something...
As for it being a Polo competitor. Sure, it might have 132kw like the GTI. But the Fiesta is not the same quality interior etc as the Polo is. Matching the engine numbers doesn't mean it's a competitor in my book... at least not an equal competitor

[goodfella]

I suspect this may be to comply with homologation requirements for WRC in 2012/13 and as VW are entering the Polo then, stay tuned for a similiar 1.6T Polo in whatever drivetrain configuration (I think the Halo R 4motion strategy will flow on). Watch this space!

[Molotov]

Looks like I'm on my own here but I think it looks just as good, if not better than the Polo - nice and aggressive.

I also don't think the 'quality' of Ford is the best angle of attack considering VW's increasingly average/poor record (based on JDPower and personal opinions/heresay).

If the Polo Gti has done one thing, it's created a new market for pint-sized hot hatches. No longer is it acceptable to whack on a silly spoiler and some alloy wheels a declare it a 'sports model', whilst it still does 0-100 in 14 seconds.

Bring on the Fiesty Festy!

[kaanage]

let me guess, battery issues, alternator problems, cpu malfunction and loads of wait time at the service centre while brainless monkeys figure there is a seal missing from the engine block.

As opposed to using oil like a 2-stroke, supercharger clutch squeals, mechatronics with their own mind and melting pistons...

I quite like the look too - the nose is OTT but it's in the style of recent Astons and Jags as Molotov has pointed out and overall, it is much more striking than the rather bland mini-Golf.