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.
If so did you feel it needed more power?
Might just gamble on a few being sat at dealers when they don't all sell, like the RS editions were, might be easier to get a bit of a deal then.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff