The Ford Fiesta was a generally great subcompact hatchback that went away amid the Blue Oval’s shift away from traditional cars in favor of a lineup full of crossovers and SUVs. There was even the Fiesta ST hot hatch that ranked among the best entry-level performance vehicles of the 2010s.
Base Trim Engine
1.6L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
Base Trim Transmission
6-Speed Manual
Base Trim Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
197 hp
Base Trim Torque
202 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
Fuel Economy
26/35 MPG
Infotainment & Features
9 /10
Now, Ford performance fans can rejoice because, according to Ford Europe General Manager Passenger Vehicles Christian Weingartner, there’s a sporty version of the brand’s upcoming compact EV. It sounds like this could be a successor to the Fiesta ST, which left the United States after the 2019 model year, when the sixth-generation model ended. There was also a seventh-generation version available in Europe from 2017 to 2023.
The Ford Fiesta ST Returns
Front view of a 2014 Ford Fiesta STFord
Weingartner was clear about there being future sporty versions of the Fiesta when speaking to Auto Express:
“We have not made any decisions on naming, but it’s very clear that if you talk ‘race to road’, that we want to have really capable vehicles. To be credible and authentic, there needs to be some kind of performance series of our vehicles; that’s what we’ve got to have.”
– Christian Weingartner, Ford Europe general manager, passenger vehicles
Ford hasn’t officially confirmed that the small model would revive the Fiesta nameplate, but the moniker’s return is heavily rumored. The vehicle will use the RG EV Small electric platform shared with Renault. The vehicle will have a multi-link rear suspension, so handling should be fairly competent. The underpinnings can support front- and rear-mounted electric motors, allowing engineers to offer the new model with all-wheel drive.
The new small Ford would be part of a product onslaught in Europe. It’s also planning to launch a compact electric crossover and a pair of hybrid-equipped vehicles. According to Auto Express, these two would replace the Kuga crossover and Focus hatchback in the region.
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Remembering The Fiesta ST In The US
2014 Ford Fiesta ST rear 3/4 angle in blueCars and Bids
Launched for the 2014 model year in the US, the previous-gen Ford Fiesta ST used a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine making 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque in normal driving. A temporary overboost mode increased the figures to 197 hp and 202 lb-ft. The sporty model could reach 60 miles per hour in around 7.0 seconds. Torque Vectoring Control balanced power between the front wheels in an effort to improve handling by limiting understeer.
The Fiesta ST was also fairly practical. The five-door layout made it easier to haul passengers, and there’s 25.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats down. Plus, the car was fairly efficient for a performance model of the era, returning 29 miles per gallon combined, 34 mpg highway, and 26 mpg city.
The 2014 Fiesta ST was also affordable, with a base model without options or destination starting at $21,400. Today, that would be equivalent to $29,900, which would still be well-priced for an entry-level performance car.
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CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Rear-quarter view of a 2014 Ford Fiesta STFord
While the Fiesta ST wasn’t available in the United States for a few years, it forged a reputation as one of the best, affordable hot hatches available at the time. The small size, zippy turbocharged powerplant, and great handling resulted in a vehicle that was tiny enough to work in tight city streets yet still fun to unleash on a curvy back road.
We don’t yet know whether Ford intends to bring the new Fiesta to the US, but building the car for Europe at least makes it possible for product planners to decide to sell the vehicle here in the future. Let’s hope the engineers can make the new one as good as the previous Fiesta ST.
Source: Auto Express
