Although it is smaller, the engine is still fun.
Europeans have been enjoying the Fiesta ST for many years. We knew why when it finally arrived on the U.S. markets in 2013. Fiesta ST is an amazing hot hatch that offers incredible levels of fun, performance and value for its size and price. I have had the pleasure of taking several Fiesta STs to ice racing, autocrossing and to open track days. It was also a blast bombing around Michigan’s best back roads. Is this still the case for the new model?
According to what we know, yes. The 2018 Ford Fiesta ST will make its debut at Geneva Motor Show, and then go on sale in Europe early next year. It follows the same basic formula that made the ST so popular. The engine is turbocharged and has a six-speed manual transmission. There are enough suspension tweaks and brake adjustments to keep up with road changes. Let’s see how this new model compares with the ST.
The new ST is based on the most recent version of the Ford Fiesta Hatchback. It has a more modern nose. The Fiesta ST’s design is more modern than its big brother, the Focus. It has a more prominent grille and swept-back headlights. Sporty touches are still present, including dual exhausts that poke out from under a large plastic diffuser, a big roof spoiler and red-painted brake discs. There’s also a mesh design for the grille and 18-inch wheels with an asymmetrical design (18-inchers are standard on today’s version). If you don’t know what it is, the Fiesta ST might fly under your radar. However, those who do know what to look out for will immediately recognize it. Europeans will have the option to purchase both the three- and five door versions, but Ford will only be selling the five-door ST.
We are well into the age of downsizing. The Fiesta ST’s 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine has a turbocharger that boosts output to 197 horsepower (147kilowatts) 214 poundfeet (290 Newton meters). However, the engine shrinks and torque increases dramatically: The old car’s 1.5-liter turbo-four produced 197 horsepower and 177 lbft with an overboost to U.S.-market specification. The only transmission option is the six-speed manual.
The new car will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 6.7 seconds. This is 0.2 seconds faster than the Ford ST. Ford claims that the new turbo boosts power more quickly and produces stronger low-end torque, although we don’t know exact RPM numbers.
This engine builds on the 1.0-liter turbo three in the Fiesta standard. It is very unique. The engine has direct injection and dual variable valve timing to maximize power. There is also an active exhaust valve that adjusts the amount of noise coming from the back. Electronic Sound Enhancement is a feature that makes use of the car’s audio system to enhance the sound. This feature is common on modern performance cars.This was the best part of the Fiesta ST’s outgoing model: A responsive, darty chassis that exuded fun. We can expect much the same from this new model. Ford has not shared exact specifications, but we can see that the ST is equipped with larger brakes and grippy Michelin Pilot Sport tires in a large 205/40ZR18. The stability-control system has three modes: “wide-slip”, full-off, and “wide-slip”. And an electronic pseudo-torque-vectoring control will brake the inside front wheel to reduce understeer.
The new ST is the same as the standard Fiesta. It has a modern, smarter interior design. The touchscreen infotainment system sticks up tablet-like from the top of its center stack. Recaro seats and a flat-bottom steering column are some of the sporty features. There is also a drive mode selector (a Fiesta ST First) that allows you to choose between Normal, Sport, or Track modes for active exhaust, throttle response and stability control as well as steering weight. Other features include Sync 3 with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, a panoramic roof, and a high-end B&O Play soundsystem.
Ford claims that the new three-cylinder engine has cylinder activation to help save fuel. The engine can change between these modes in as little as 14 milliseconds. To reduce soot production, the car will have an exhaust gas particulate filter system. It’s still too early to predict exact numbers, but it seems that there will be an improvement on 2017’s EPA ratings, which were 26 miles per gallon in the city, 33 on the highway, and 29 mpg together.If you are in Europe, expect to get your Fiesta ST by early 2018. Ford has not yet revealed when the Fiesta ST will be available in the U.S., but you can expect to wait more than a year to see the hot hatch.