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

[cbdallas]

Strange (and ashame) that it's not a D.I. engine. Would be great if it was going to be a 3-door stateside. It loses some of its good looks during the transition to 5-door. Looks fun, though.

[swansong]

Originally Posted by cbdallas

Strange (and ashame) that it's not a D.I. engine. Would be great if it was going to be a 3-door stateside. It loses some of its good looks during the transition to 5-door. Looks fun, though.

I'm surprised at that as well. I thought that the moniker of 'Ecoboost' implied turbocharging and direct injection.

As far as 3/5 door, I have no preference, I think 3 doors looks better and 5 doors is more practical. Personally, I would buy the 5 door. But it would be nice to at least have the choice! The GTI sells plenty of 3 doors, the Volvo C30 is only 3 doors, and the Veloster has that asymmetrical layout for aesthetic reasons, so its not like 3 doors don't sell in America, which seems to be what Ford thinks.

[FocusOnMeNow]

Originally Posted by FocusSTHopeful

because 99% of drivers regularly drive their car to the limits where the difference in powertrains become apparent?

I had a Mustang too. Did I use it to its full potential? No, however, if I felt the need to go sideways, you bet cha ass I did. I can't go sideways in a front wheel drive car.

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[swansong]

Originally Posted by FocusOnMeNow

I can't go sideways in a front wheel drive car.

The Focus ST can go sideways with lift off oversteer, quite easily. Is it the same as a RWD powered drift? No, it is just a different way to have fun. RWD gives you burnouts, donuts, and drifting, and FWD (if set up properly) can give you four wheel drifts, lift off oversteer, and tossability. You can chuck a FWD into a corner to get it sideways, but I wouldn't try tossing a Mustang.

What I'm saying is that RWD and FWD can both be fun and rewarding to drive, but in different ways.

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.

[RonMaiden]

AWD is so much more than just for bad weather and drag launches and anybody who has seriously drove one will tell you that.

I'm glad for the whole small car performance market that Ford is releasing a Fiesta ST but for me it's just too little and the Focus is as small as I go. I like it overall and it shows the hot hatch market is booming in america but I just need to get my friend who is considering an Abarth to give the ST a serious look.

[mac.mogul]

I'm impressed no matter what, but 2700lb for a subcompact FWD car is too much. I'd be more impressed if they could keep it under 2500lb but that would likely require removing all of the creature comforts like sound deadening and electronics.

(I mean, my Focus weighs about 2700lb so a Fiesta should definitely weigh less.)

[Focus YBTC]

Originally Posted by swansong

I'm surprised at that as well. I thought that the moniker of 'Ecoboost' implied turbocharging and direct injection.

I believe that DI has always been part of any EcoBoost engine's technology portfolio.

[FocusOnMeNow]

Originally Posted by swansong

The Focus ST can go sideways with lift off oversteer, quite easily. Is it the same as a RWD powered drift? No, it is just a different way to have fun. RWD gives you burnouts, donuts, and drifting, and FWD (if set up properly) can give you four wheel drifts, lift off oversteer, and tossability. You can chuck a FWD into a corner to get it sideways, but I wouldn't try tossing a Mustang.

What I'm saying is that RWD and FWD can both be fun and rewarding to drive, but in different ways.

I'll have to try those techniques. I miss RWD, but I'll give it a shot.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Xparent Blue FF Mobile

[swansong]

Originally Posted by mac.mogul

I'm impressed no matter what, but 2700lb for a subcompact FWD car is too much. I'd be more impressed if they could keep it under 2500lb but that would likely require removing all of the creature comforts like sound deadening and electronics.

(I mean, my Focus weighs about 2700lb so a Fiesta should definitely weigh less.)

Agreed. It's an unfortunate result of increasing safety regulations and an emphasis on NHV standards. I'm kind of surprised at how much more it weighs than the standard Fiesta though.

AWD is so much more than just for bad weather and drag launches and anybody who has seriously drove one will tell you that.

I guess my comment was more focused towards explaining why the Fiesta in particular shouldn't be FWD. Too heavy, expensive, and mpg-costly. Fiesta is meant to be a baby Focus ST, a comfortable, inexpensive, and quick DD car. AWD doesn't fit for the Fiesta. AWD certainly has its applications performance-wise, but higher power levels are needed to fully utilize its advantages over FWD.

[RonMaiden]

Originally Posted by mac.mogul

I'm impressed no matter what, but 2700lb for a subcompact FWD car is too much. I'd be more impressed if they could keep it under 2500lb but that would likely require removing all of the creature comforts like sound deadening and electronics.

(I mean, my Focus weighs about 2700lb so a Fiesta should definitely weigh less.)

It's probably the extra airbags and safety equipment that is adding to the weight. I had a '00 Integra Type R and it weighed in at 2500lbs and it had no sound deadening materials and very thin metal panels to keep weight down. In retrospect I wish they included sound deadening materials as that car was so noisy and sounded like the inside of a pop can if anything hit the underneath of the car.