Ford launches 'Performance Edition' Fiesta ST
The blue oval has emptied its own performance parts bin of the best bits for limited edition model
Ford clearly has a thing for orange. The final 50 examples of 'Heritage Edition' Focus RS were painted 'Deep Orange' - and now the manufacturer has reused the fizzy-drink shade for this, the 'Performance Edition' Fiesta ST. Limited to just 600 units, and on sale from June, the model is exclusively three-door - and exclusive to the UK.
Truthfully, nothing about the limited edition trim level is entirely new because it is festooned with Ford Performance parts that were already available to purchase separately from the manufacturer. But that won't stop the Performance Edition selling out in a nanosecond, of course - and nor should it because a) it'll almost certainly be very good if not great and b) with careful use you can expect it to be virtually depreciation-proof.
So what do you get for what Ford calls "at least a £3,000 premium over the standard ST-3 list price"? Well, basically £3,000 of chassis-enhancing kit including, most notably, a bespoke coilover suspension pack which lowers the Fiesta's ride height by 15mm at the front and 10mm at the rear, and adds 12 bump and 16 rebound settings.
And to make the fun of manually fiddling with them in a pit lane even more rewarding, the Performance Edition twins the new springs and dampers with flow formed alloy wheels that are said to contribute a 7kg reduction in unsprung mass compared to the standard foursome. The stronger and rather handsome 10-spoke, 18-inch rims are finished in rather fetching triple layer 'Magnetite' paintwork, too.
"The Fiesta ST is the car that keeps on giving," said Andy Barratt, managing director, Ford of Britain. "It's fast, fun, affordable, practical and economical - and now we've built a unique example for Ford fans wanting to stand out from the crowd. This ST is for customers who are performance-oriented drivers and tuning enthusiasts who demand maximum fun on the road combined with a sporty appearance - the ultimate Fiesta ST."
Of course, being only one year out from launch means that this 'ultimate' variant doesn't involve fiddling with the car's current (and eminently tuneable) 200hp output - rest assured that'll be the business of future 'ultimate' versions of the ST - but inevitably you do get the Quaife limited-slip diff and launch control, and other high-spec items, too, like LED headlamps and the B&O stereo. Together with the warm and fuzzy feeling that comes with being the member of a small-ish orange-coloured club.
As for this one, sure its ace but orange is a bit lairy.
Excuse my ignorance to the ST brand but surely there's room for an absolute shed load of depreciation here?
Do quite fancy it, mind you.
I like orange
Only shame is no power increase.
An ST-3 PP in Silver Fox or Performance Blue, complimented by the wheel and suspension upgrades, would make for a very handsome Fiesta I would think.
Not sure it's quite so easy to say that the new engine is "eminently tuneable" when Ford won't even offer the mountune upgrade with warranty anymore. I don't expect these little three-bangers will offer the tuning capability of the 1.6 EcoBoost, which seemed massively over-engineered.
An ST-3 PP in Silver Fox or Performance Blue, complimented by the wheel and suspension upgrades, would make for a very handsome Fiesta I would think.
Not sure it's quite so easy to say that the new engine is "eminently tuneable" when Ford won't even offer the mountune upgrade with warranty anymore. I don't expect these little three-bangers will offer the tuning capability of the 1.6 EcoBoost, which seemed massively over-engineered.
There are rumours that the warranty backed Mountune thing will disappear and be replaced by "Ford Performance" - well... according to certain forums anyway,
Orange paintwork only? No thank you. We don't all want to `Stand out`
New wheels. Much prefer the look of the standard wheels. Personal preference.
Lower suspension. Yes please.
So the article says with `careful use` which means sit it in a garage and don't drive it, it'll not lose much. However, with the potential for more quicker Fiesta's (RS Maybe) in the pipeline, why would this car hold it's value. It's not like it's the last of the line cars like the Focus RS Heritage edition.
And why buy a Fiesta ST to treat like a Ferrari and not use it? Bizzare.
So yes to the suspension revisions (make it an option on the standard ST with another option for the love them or hate them wheels) and then you can order the car in a better colour, while enjoying the suspension revisions.
But come on Ford. 250BHP+ Fiesta RS please.
However, I suspect there will be multiple 'limited', 'special,' 'heritage' editions of this model (ala the Focus RS MK3), especially considering its only just entered its production run in the last 12 months.
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