Friday 25th October 2013

Ford prepares five Fiesta STs for SEMA

There's the rally car, the Tanner Foust special and a really, really green one

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Before you clamour to your keyboards in protest at some of the, err, dubious modifications on show here, hold on.

Upgraded brakes we're keen on....

The thing is, the fact Ford is taking five Fiesta STs to SEMA is actually quite relevant to us back in the United Kingdom of England. Like the Focus ST, the fast Fiesta was launched under the 'One Ford' strategy, with identical models being sold globally. If America is taking to this little compact well enough for five show cars to be commissioned, could it give Ford the confidence to launch a fully-fledged RS? All the Ford Ecoboost engines can apparently be tweaked quite readily, and with a globally successful Fiesta ST seemingly becoming established, it does seem like a logical step.

Anyway, enough conjecture, what of the actual SEMA cars? The five STs, from 3dCarbon, MRT, Bojix Design, Cobb Tuning and the Ice Nine Group could hardly be more different.

...riding this low we're not!

In case you hadn't guessed, the Fiesta with the huge spotlights and mudflaps is designed for rallying. That's the Ice Nine ST, and was developed with input from rally instructor Tim O'Neil.

The 3dCarbon car is the red ST, apparently designed with European tastes in mind. How considerate. It's rollin' on 19s, which can't do the firm ride many favours, but the bodykit is acceptable enough.

But it's the cars with a few dynamic tweaks that are most appealing. The green ST is by MRT; aside from that bold paint (check out the wheels!), there's a new exhaust, upgraded brakes and a set of coilovers. The grey Bojix Design car has similar mods, but looks a little too low from here.

The Cobb Tuning Fiesta ST was a joint project with Tanner Foust, he of Top Gear USA fame. Like any modern Ford ST worth its salt, there's plenty of orange on show, plus a couple of engine mods. It's probably our favourite, pixellated paint notwithstanding.

[Source: 4WheelsNews]

[Emeye]

I like the Foust one - the others not so much.

Edited by Emeye on Friday 25th October 16:53

[emicen]

They had about 15 Focuses at last years show modded by various people. It shows they want to showcase what the aftermarket industry is doing to the car, in that market. What they are bringing to SEMA means nothing to what they plan to do in Europe, global products, completely separate business groups.

Hyundai brought a shed load of modified Genesis coupes but alas we're not getting them here in the "United Kingdom of England"

[AdamC1983]

The red ones not even an ST!

[bobberz]

BOSS 302 stripes on a Fiesta?!!! Blasphemous!

For reference, here's what they belong on:



I quite like what they've done with the headlights on the rally one; now it looks less "cat-eye" and more "Siamese Fighting Fish"!

[soad]

Emeye said:

I like the Foust one - the others no so much.

Agreed.

[Baryonyx]

I like that Ice Nine Group car a lot, those spotlights look ace! Bit of a Joe Satriani reference too.

[Fidgits]

I like the idea of a fiesta RS...

[loudlashadjuster]

I know it's not really the issue here, but another day another dodgy Ford photoshop effort? Is this really the best a $134B company can manage?

Agree that the grille lights somewhat tone down the Aston-ish/goppishness of the rally version.

[AdamC1983]

Ford need to build a fiesta RS, it is what they rally afterall.

[Emeye]

Not really much interest on PH for these is there?

[Amirhussain]

I like the red one..

[tortop45]

Im going to SEMA this november so il go and have a look at these cars,hope they are 4 wheel drive ,if not ill just take the p--s.

[AdamC1983]

Cant see them being 4wd i imagine itll just be lots of cosmetic work.

[Hub]

I had to google what 'SEMA' is. Is that common knowledge?

[ecsrobin]

I like the lights on the rally inspired car. The problem I have though is that the new fiesta is one of my least favourite cars to drive nearly bordering on the VW polo for the most uncomfortable car I've driven!

[AdamC1983]

ecsrobin said:

I like the lights on the rally inspired car. The problem I have though is that the new fiesta is one of my least favourite cars to drive nearly bordering on the VW polo for the most uncomfortable car I've driven!

Do you mean the ST version or 2013 fiestas in general?

[NeverFlinch]

That white and orange one looks great

[ecsrobin]

AdamC1983 said:

ecsrobin said:

I like the lights on the rally inspired car. The problem I have though is that the new fiesta is one of my least favourite cars to drive nearly bordering on the VW polo for the most uncomfortable car I've driven!

Do you mean the ST version or 2013 fiestas in general?

2013 fiesta in general, I know the ST will have a higher spec and hopefully a better drive but even being in the car more than an hour was a painful experience and not just for my back.

[AdamC1983]

ecsrobin said:

2013 fiesta in general, I know the ST will have a higher spec and hopefully a better drive but even being in the car more than an hour was a painful experience and not just for my back.

Ah right, avoid the ST then as its a "firm" ride as the suspension is slightly lower and much stiffer!

[Trtj]

an ugly car made uglier