RE: Geneva 2012: Ford Fiesta ST

[Marf]

marcgti6 said:

I remember when this were all fields

EFA

[collateral]

What wrong with letting engine noise into the cabin? Hardly the same vein as playing fake sounds over speakers, like some manufacturers I could mention

[CraigMST]

Chrisw666 said:

George H said:

A Scotsman said:

Price is supposed to be around £18,000 which if correct means they'll sell about ten.

Why's that then? My Polo cost more than £18k and is one of it's main rivals. A MINI Cooper S costs way more than £20k new. I don't see how costing £18k is going to be its downfall. Why can people not understand that cars cost more now than they did 10 years ago

Can I be the first to suggest that you can buy a used Focus RS for £18k

I'm not sure some folk understand fully how cars go from being sold new to used.

Insurance.

[Otispunkmeyer]

oj121 said:

It looks good but should be around 200bhp IMO. In this day in age 180 really is the bottom of the pile still.

Dont the VAG 1.4TSI GTi level cars have 180 bhp? Doesnt the cooper S have 180 bhp?

The VXR Corsa has 200 yes, so does the DS3 racing (which is a limited run anyway) and the upcoming 208 GTi will have 200 as well. But 180 sounds absolutely fine IMO... it shouldnt be about power power power with these cars. I'd rather a nice handling, nice riding car than one thats bone crunchingly uncomfortable but gets to 60 half a second quicker. Like you're gonna notice that in the real world anyway.

[ArnageWRC]

Ford use the Fiesta RS WRC as their car in the WRC - so where is the road going Fiesta RS?? They surely can't be bringing another Focus RS out??? The Focus is no longer used in top level World Motorsport......

[Chris71]

Chrisw666 said:

Nobody mentioned this in the article

'while a Sound Symposer filters that best engine noise from under the bonnet into the cabin'

the very thought of that makes me sad.

I don't get the objection to sound symposers. Presumably it works like the Porsche 991, by controlling when 'naturally' occuring noise is allowed to enter the cabin.

If it works out so that you can have a snarling beast (well, by Fiesta standards) on your favourite B-road and a hushed cruise on the M25 it seems like a great idea. I'm all for as much split personality as you can get in a daily driver.

[Chrisw666]

Chris71 said:

If it works out so that you can have a snarling beast (well, by Fiesta standards) on your favourite B-road and a hushed cruise on the M25 it seems like a great idea. I'm all for as much split personality as you can get in a daily driver.

The thing is that my Puma, which was as quick as ford were building cars of this size 12+ years ago, is quiet enough at 70-80mph once you have the stereo on at a sensible level but still sounds like it has a proper little engine when you're playing at being someone who can drive. So if that is possible then why not now, or do Turbo lumps lose some of their noise unless accompanied by a mad exhaust?

[J4CKO]

180 bhp is underpowered ?

the original XR2 had 90 bhp and people enjoyed them, this has double that, ok its heavier but it wont be double.

[BoostMonkey]

George H said:

A Scotsman said:

Price is supposed to be around £18,000 which if correct means they'll sell about ten.

Why's that then? My Polo cost more than £18k and is one of it's main rivals. A MINI Cooper S costs way more than £20k new. I don't see how costing £18k is going to be its downfall. Why can people not understand that cars cost more now than they did 10 years ago

That is a massive leap when the previous gen fiesta ST was £10k in 2007 with a few options.

I'm sure Ford will discount these by a few pounds, but £16k is still a 60% increase.

But on the other hand with the new Astra VXR at £27k, it makes the Fiesta look like good value for money.

Edited by BoostMonkey on Wednesday 7th March 16:20

[oobster]

Wonder if they will make a 5-door, my Mrs has got a new-shape Fiesta Titanium (in 5-door form) at the moment and it's a great wee car.

[Chrisw666]

BoostMonkey said:

That is a massive leap when the previous gen fiesta ST was £10k in 2007 with a few options.

I'm Ford will discount these by a few pounds, but £16k is still a 60% increase.

When was a new fiesta ST sold at a list price of £10k without any options?

I call BS.

[rb5er]

Chrisw666 said:

BoostMonkey said:

That is a massive leap when the previous gen fiesta ST was £10k in 2007 with a few options.

I'm Ford will discount these by a few pounds, but £16k is still a 60% increase.

When was a new fiesta ST sold at a list price of £10k without any options?

I call BS.

It was £15k when i looked at one in 2006.

This new one looks a great little car but an RS would be mega.

[FloppyRaccoon]

That's more like the performance the ST should have, I like it very much.

[OperationAlfa]

As long as it isn't faster than my car I dont care.

[collateral]

Otispunkmeyer said:

oj121 said:

It looks good but should be around 200bhp IMO. In this day in age 180 really is the bottom of the pile still.

Dont the VAG 1.4TSI GTi level cars have 180 bhp? Doesnt the cooper S have 180 bhp?

The VXR Corsa has 200 yes, so does the DS3 racing (which is a limited run anyway) and the upcoming 208 GTi will have 200 as well. But 180 sounds absolutely fine IMO... it shouldnt be about power power power with these cars. I'd rather a nice handling, nice riding car than one thats bone crunchingly uncomfortable but gets to 60 half a second quicker. Like you're gonna notice that in the real world anyway.

I've seen reviews complaining the new Zetec S is too firm, so I wouldn't hold your breath about the ride.

I've been in a mate's and I can't say I found it particularly offensive, although I might just've become used to the jarring Puma

[Froomee]

Chrisw666 said:

When was a new fiesta ST sold at a list price of £10k without any options?

I call BS.

I paid £10,700 for a white one with blue stripes in December 2006 (LR56XXA) with a few other extras a basic car with no options was available for sub £10k not list but available new with no miles hence the reason i purchased one.

When i purchased my second one (ST500 for £11000ish) they were avaiable for around £9400 in mid 2008.

So although that wasn't the list price they were definitely available for that price new with no miles

[Baryonyx]

Ford need to get their arses into gear and give us a 4WD Fiesta RS. They could even call it the Fiesta RS Turbo! But with S2000 class being in the rally news these days they should give us something related to that.

[Mastodon2]

TREMAiNE said:

Looks quite beefy but an Ecoengine is just EMBARASSING.
Can't wait for the new Clio Sport reveal...

Ford's WRC Fiesta uses an "Ecoboost" engine, and what mpg does one of those get again? And how many bhp? Don't let the name fool you.

I think this could be quite cool, I always rather liked the old Fiesta ST, even if it was, in many ways a slung-together hot hatch. 180bhp is not a huge power figure even for a 1.6L, but if they can get the delivery as smooth and unobstrusive as they can, and mimic an NA engine they could have a great little car on their hands.

Apart from the edge of the flared arch where it nearly meets the edge of the headlight cover, that just looks clumsy imo.

[nickfrog]

oj121 said:

It looks good but should be around 200bhp IMO. In this day in age 180 really is the bottom of the pile still.

Depends what it weighs, doesn't it ? Traction being the limiting factor, and the lighter the less traction, this could actually be perfect.
As far as I know, the Fiesta is quite a lot lighter than the equivalent Clio so it might well deliver better performance with all that torque where the
Clio is so peaky. And the lighter car might give better handling and lateral grip.
There's always a little bit more than just the headline figure when assessing a car...even on paper.

[Arun_D]

LuS1fer said:

The trick Ford should NOT miss is to offer a 5 door version. I think the long wheelbase actually makes the 5 door a better looker but there are many families for whom 5 doors is a pre-requisite.

Alas, not for Europe I believe. IIRC the 5dr version of the concept was shown at the LA show late last year (US only gets the Fiesta in 5r 'flavor') and I don't think it will be offered here.

Edit to add:

http://news.blackcircles.com/2011/11/ford-to-lift-...