Ford’s all new Fiesta ST is fitted with a new 1.5-litre Ecoboost petrol engine delivering an impressive 200PS. Output can be configured in Normal, Sport and Track settings for added day-to-day flexibility and in line with its ‘Sports Technologies’ name. In addition to this, there are a series of suspension and powertrain upgrades over the previous version. Ford’s all-new 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine uses turbocharging, high-pressure fuel injection, Twin-independent Variable Cam Timing and a three-cylinder architecture to deliver 200 PS at 6,000 rpm, and 290 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm, for 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 232 km/h.
Selectable Drive Modes add even more versatility for the all-new Fiesta ST, enabling drivers to optimise the driving experience to suit scenarios from school run to the race track:
- In Normal mode, engine mapping, traction control, ESC, active exhaust valve and electronic power assisted steering (EPAS) are configured to deliver natural responsiveness and a connected feel
- In Sport mode, engine mapping and throttle pedal response are sharpened, and EPAS settings adjusted to deliver more feedback and finer control for fast road driving. The active noise control valve opens to intensify the sporty exhaust note
- In Track mode, all vehicle dynamics features are tuned for the fastest possible lap times, traction control is disabled and ESC interventions are set to wide-slip mode for hard circuit driving
For example, the new ST will feature force-vectoring springs for a sharper turn-in and better rear-end responsiveness. This should deliver an improved driving experience at the wheel. The system is based on cold-formed springs developed specifically for the new ST. The upgrade saves 10kg over the previous Watt’s linkage system used to enhance overall stiffness, while still being compatible with standard suspension dampers.
In addition, the suspension features Tenneco twin-tube front and mono-tube rear dampers using RC1 technology to deliver frequency-dependent damping. The rear twist-beam style suspension delivers a roll stiffness of 1,400Nm/deg, the firmest of any Ford Performance model.
Options for the new Fiesta ST include a Quaife limited-slip differential, the first time this has been offered with the model variant. The mechanical unit improves distribution of torque, delivering more to the wheel which has the most grip. The LSD further supports the optional launch control feature. This delivers consistently fast standing starts, with performance monitored on a instrument panel display.
The engine also features cylinder deactivation, what is described as an ‘industry first’ for a three-cylinder model. Active exhaust technology amplifies engine noise, as desired, while there is also an available B&O PLAY audio system.
