Ford to Launch Fiesta ST in North America, Brings Big Speed and Style to the Small Car Market

[mac.mogul]

I'm guessing once the 2.3 ecoboost makes its way to shore, we'll see a performance version of the Fusion. There's an emerging market for mid to full size performance sedans and the SHO is really out of touch. The Fusion/Mondeo would be a better global contender.

[swansong]

Originally Posted by mac.mogul

I'm guessing once the 2.3 ecoboost makes its way to shore, we'll see a performance version of the Fusion. There's an emerging market for mid to full size performance sedans and the SHO is really out of touch. The Fusion/Mondeo would be a better global contender.

I bet we'll see something eventually as well. The 2.3 makes sense for this application. Could be AWD as well, which would make it like a modern Mazdaspeed6.

The Mondeo has had performance variants in the past, the ST200 (Contour SVT) and ST220 come to mind.

Also on the topic of this off-topic topic, the new Fusion wagon is gorgeous... yet we can't haz.

[swansong]

Originally Posted by Malibooya

Good observation. A variation of the Revo, maybe? I don't understand why Ford wouldn't come out and say it's the Revoknuckle if that's the case, considering it was a big selling point for the Focus ST.

Focus ST doesn't actually have Revoknuckle, like the RS did. The electronic limited slip does the job well enough, according to Ford.

Chief on our day's mission traveling through Provence would be to determine how successfully Ford has quelled torque steer fears in this powerful front-driver. Thanks to its innovative RevoKnuckle front suspension, the more powerful RS500 put its power down startlingly well, but there's no RevoKnuckle to be found on this car – officials tell us it was unnecessarily heavy and costly for the ST's output, and besides, advanced electronics have done the job well enough. After caning the ST over hundreds of kilometers along the Mediterranean coast, we're inclined to agree with them.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/25/2...-drive-review/

[RonMaiden]

So,who would be in for a Ken Block Edition AWD Fiesta ST? I would buy one of those.

[RonMaiden]

Originally Posted by swansong

AWD, in my opinion, is good for launches and poor weather conditions. Everywhere else it just sucks drivetrain power, increases weight and cost, and usually produces understeer.

Ken Block might not agree

YouTube Video

[mac.mogul]

Originally Posted by RonMaiden

So,who would be in for a Ken Block Edition AWD Fiesta ST? I would buy one of those.

Count me out. Ken Block's Fiesta has about 600hp and a sequential transmission.

197hp/214tq + the weight gain and drivetrain loss of AWD = a bad time.

[swansong]

^^ Those are my thoughts exactly.

AWD can be great in the correct application. But it needs higher power levels than what the Fiesta ST is providing to be worth the added expenses.

IIRC the 1/4 mile times for a stock first gen DSM (Talon TSi, Eclipse GSX, Laser RS) are nearly identical for the FWD and AWD verisons. AWD gets off the line fast, but FWD catches it by the end. Not sure how the two versions perform on autocross tracks, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the FWD being quicker.

Those cars have similar power levels to the Fiesta ST btw, but are a tad heavier (AWD is even heavier, obviously).

[DrkKnight614]

Originally Posted by RonMaiden

So,who would be in for a Ken Block Edition AWD Fiesta ST? I would buy one of those.

Posted via FF Mobile I said it once, but I wouldnt mind a Ken Block edition Fiesta ST. No awd, but just cosmetic stuff, like a special color (or combo), maybe some DC wheels like he uses...stuff like that would be kinda cool. Maybe limited edition with some cool stuff, weight saving options, hell maybe they can get GoPro as a sponsor and it would come with a camera and accesories.

[RonMaiden]

Originally Posted by swansong

^^ Those are my thoughts exactly.

AWD can be great in the correct application. But it needs higher power levels than what the Fiesta ST is providing to be worth the added expenses.

IIRC the 1/4 mile times for a stock first gen DSM (Talon TSi, Eclipse GSX, Laser RS) are nearly identical for the FWD and AWD verisons. AWD gets off the line fast, but FWD catches it by the end. Not sure how the two versions perform on autocross tracks, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the FWD being quicker.

Those cars have similar power levels to the Fiesta ST btw, but are a tad heavier (AWD is even heavier, obviously).

Yes,I forget the starting point with only 197hp would be sucked up by AWD but my Eclipse was stock with 195hp in a 3170lb package and it ran high 14s (sea level times) off the showroom floor and adding more power (very easy back then) just made things better. I still think an AWD variant with maybe 225hp would be a viable option.


I spent 8 years in the DSM community drag,autoxing and a little ice racing and with stock AWD vs stock FWD the AWD usually was a tad quicker (better 60's) but that gap stretched alot once you added alot of HP to each. On the autox circuit it was still really the driver and not so much the car.
Nothing like an AWD launch tho' with 400hp.

[gold_zx3]

Ford must really want me to get back into a Ford