2012 Fiesta ST confirmed

2012 Fiesta ST caught testing in the US (photo via WCF)

We really like the current Ford Fiesta; it’s a cracking little car. It’s just a shame that the closest it comes to being a hot hatch is the little more than lukewarm Fiesta Zetec S. But that’s about to change, and not before time.

Next year will see the launch of the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST in not just the UK and Europe but also the US. It will get a 180bhp version of the 1.6 litre Ecoboost engine mated to a six speed manual ‘box (although our colonial cousins may well get a six-speed PowerShift ‘auto) which should give it performance of around 7 seconds to 60mph.

The change of heart by Ford has been brought on by the introduction of the Fiesta in to WRC and the success of other hot superminis like the Polo GTI, Renaultsport Clio and SEAT Ibiza Cupra.

There’s a clear demand out ther for hot-ish small hatches which just doesn’t sit comfortably with Ford’s (and most other car makers) obsession with appearing ‘Green’ and ‘Eco-aware’. Fortunately, it seems someone with a brain at Ford decided ‘Green’ does not have to be the mantra that dictates every product.

The Fiesta ST is likely to get a more aggressive look thanks to a new, deeper front bumper, tailgate spoiler and a rear diffuser sat in a new back bumper, and probably a set of twin exhausts. Butch alloys are a given, and probably a set of Recaros.

The one thing that does concern us is the likely price. Ford has been playing at warming over the Fiesta recently with the Fiesta S1600. That gets a quite paltry 134bhp, a great big stripe and a £16k price tag. Which does suggest a the Fiesta ST could end up costing the thick end of £18k.

Ouch.

By Cars UK