2014 Ford Fiesta ST brings the heat to the B-segment

[MummyChunk]

From AB










Ford to Launch Fiesta ST in North America, Brings Big Speed and Style
to the Small Car Market

-Fiesta ST a well-known hot hatch born in Europe and now ready for
North America packs a punch with a 1.6-liter EcoBoost® engine
producing nearly 200 horsepower
-New Fiesta ST is 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
-Exclusively equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, Fiesta ST
is expected to be a segment leader in both performance and fuel
efficiency


LOS ANGELES, Nov. 26, 2012 Small cars continue to be a hot segment
in North America and with the new Fiesta ST, introduced here at the
2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, Ford is expected to have the hottest hatch
around.

Fiesta ST, a performance model first launched in Europe back in 2005,
is yet another proof point from Ford that small cars are anything but
boring. In addition to a precision sport-tuned suspension and an
improved braking system, Fiesta ST packs a punch under the hood.

A new high-output variant of the award-winning 1.6-liter EcoBoost®
four-cylinder engine propels Fiesta ST with an estimated 197
horsepower and 214 lb.-ft. of torque. In comparison, Mini Cooper S
makes do with 181 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft., while Chevrolet Sonic RS
produces just 138 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft.

Unlike the competition, Fiesta ST doesn't simply look like a
performance car; it's got the guts to back it up.

"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."

Fiesta ST may be born with racing DNA, but buyers won't have to pay
for that performance at the pump. Available exclusively as a five-door
hatchback in North America and with a six-speed manual transmission,
Fiesta ST is projected to achieve up to 34 mpg.

This compact performance machine sports a unique grille and chin
spoiler with new rear diffuser and fascia extensions. Bright tipped
dual-exhaust pipes and high-mount spoiler along with unique 17-inch
wheels complete the visual package: Fiesta ST looks like it's made for
the racetrack. The car is first of its nameplate to receive the Molten
Orange tri-coat metallic paint.

Fiesta ST steering is more direct and responsive than the base model.
A unique suspension with modified front knuckle makes for a quicker
overall steering ratio of 13.6:1.

The rear axle gets increased roll stiffness to improve stability
through fast corners, while the Fiesta ST body sits 15 millimeters
closer to the ground than the base model.

Increased mechanical grip provided by the suspension improvements is
further enhanced with electronic Torque Vectoring Control to reduce
understeer during hard cornering maneuvers. Three-mode electronic
stability control standard, sport or off enables the ST driver to
select the amount of electronic aid based on current conditions.
Overall, Fiesta ST provides enthusiastic drivers with the ideal mix of
performance handling and ride comfort.

Fiesta ST will also sound good on the open road. It features the
mechanical version of the sound symposer first used on the Focus ST,
which went on sale in North America earlier this year, to provide an
enhanced soundtrack for drivers out tackling the open road. It is
unique for Fiesta in that for the first time the engine sound is
directly fed into the passenger cabin to accentuate feedback quality
and response.

Fiesta ST is the result of the combined efforts of Team RS in Europe
and SVT in the United States.

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