New 3cyl Fiesta ST to turn up heat with 197bhp

Ford thriller to star at Geneva. More efficient 1.5 turbo engine

- James Brodie

FORD has revealed its new Fiesta ST hot hatch, which is based on the upcoming seventh-generation super mini. The fiery new ST will be the company’s headline act at next week’s Geneva Motor Show.

The biggest news is the move to an all new engine configuration. Out goes the four cylinder 1.6-litre turbo used in the current car, and in comes a lightweight three-cylinder 1.5. This produces 197bhp, which is 17bhp up on the outgoing Fiesta ST but equal to its over boost figure. Torque swells from 240Nm to 290Nm, and Ford claims that the new Fiesta ST can cover 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds – two-tenths quicker than the old car, and on par with the limited-run ST200. A top speed of just above 140mph seems likely.