Ford has launched its latest hot hatch, the Fiesta ST. Available in January 2005 and focusing on what Ford calls "affordable style, performance and excitement", the three-door motor has a hint of the last similar Ford, the XR2.
It sports a lightly breathed-on version of the 145bhp 2.0-litre 16-valve engine which also sits in the new Focus. It now puts out 150bhp, and is canted backwards slightly in order to fit under the bonnet and avoid a power bulge. You'll get to 60mph in 7.9 seconds and max out at 129mph.
It wears a wider and deeper front grille, new bumper mouldings, side skirts, a functional rear spoiler, and a low stance. Multi-spoke alloy wheels are wrapped by low profile, specially-tuned Pirelli P Zero tyres.
Inside, you get special ST detailing and partial leather sports seats, trimmed in red or blue cloth to co-ordinate with the choice of five exterior colours. You can make the car look cheap and nasty with the ST-exclusive £150 option of twin sports stripes over the length of the car, side stripes at £75, or the combined pack of both stripe options for £200.
Prices start at 13,595 and, if you're one of the first 2,000 buyers, Ford throws in a free performance driver training day.
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