All-new Ford GT road- and race-cars are displayed side-by-side for the first time in Europe
29 Feb 2016 | 3018 Views | By Mark Tisshaw, Autocar UK
Ford has revealed an even more powerful and focused version of the Fiesta ST. The Fiesta ST200, unveiled at the Geneva motor show, will reach the UK in limited numbers in the summer.
The ST200 hot hatch uses a tuned version of the standard ST’s 1.6-litre turbocharged EcoBoost engine, ...
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Ford has revealed an even more powerful and focused version of the Fiesta ST. The Fiesta ST200, unveiled at the Geneva motor show, will reach the UK in limited numbers in the summer.
The ST200 hot hatch uses a tuned version of the standard ST’s 1.6-litre turbocharged EcoBoost engine, with power increased from 180bhp to 197bhp, and torque increased from 180lb ft to 214lb ft.
These outputs are further increased, to 212bhp and 236lb ft, for up to 15 seconds through the standard overboost feature. Indeed, these higher figures give a better example of the ST200’s performance potential due to the length of the transient overboost.
Tuning packages are already offered on the Fiesta ST that produce similar number, such as with the factory-approved Mountune packages, but the ST200’s modifications are much more extensive.
The final drive ratio has been shortened, to improve drivability and in-gear performance. The 0-100kph time in the Fiesta ST200 has been cut from the standard ST by 0.2secs to 6.7sec, and top speed increased slightly by 7kph to 230kph. The new car has the same six-speed manual gearbox.
Other modifications include enhanced Torque Vectoring Control and three-stage Electronic Stability Control systems. The front steering knuckle has also been modified, as has the rear twist-beam to increase roll-stiffness. The front and rear damper settings are also new, with the centre of gravity having been lowered by 15mm. The steering arm has been shortened and the steering ratio is quicker, while the brakes have also been beefed up at the rear.
Ford has given the ST200 a new look, with a new silver grey paint finish called Storm Grey and 17-inch matt black alloy wheels and new interior detailing. The part-leather charcoal-coloured Recaro seats get contrasting silver stitching, the seatbelts have silver detailing, and the scuff plates are illuminated. The brake calipers are also painted red.
The ST200 will act as a swansong for this generation of Fiesta. Ford is known to have a new model in development, with the first sighting of the new model set to come in 2017.
Ford of Europe’s Joe Bakaj describes the ST200 as “a future classic in the making”. The ST has been a big hit in the UK in particular, with almost two thirds of the 30,000 STs sold in Europe finding homes here.
The Fiesta ST200 has been joined in Geneva by road and race versions of the new GT supercar, production of which for examples set for Europe is due to start later this year.