Ford Fiesta 2014 News

In Russia, drift and rally fans don’t need big power to finesse their skills thanks to the Federation’s near perennial abundance of snow and ice.As a result, any old Lada Riva or Samara can be slewed sideways through the snow and slush, or even a GAZelle commercial van – if you’ve got one handy.The above video captures all of these in super slow-mo, with a dash of Ford Fiesta and Sierra, Subaru WRX and Toyota Celica GT-Four to showcase the yaw potential of front, rear, or all-wheel drive. Watch the desktop version of the budget Russian drift video here. This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

Ford’s Fiesta ST is already arguably the king of the light hot hatch set, but a new report out of the UK suggests that an even hotter RS version is under development. AutoExpress suggests that a RS-badged Fiesta could be followed by the much-anticipated third-generation Focus RS, if a business case can be made for the models. Ford has been toying with the idea of a Fiesta RS since at least 2004, with a pumped-up concept based on the previous generation model shown at the Geneva motor show that year. Stranding in the way of the number crunchers though is the current economic woes of the Ford hatches’ European-market heartland, and the plans are reportedly far from being locked in. If a green light is given, tradition suggests we’ll see the new RS models towards the end of the Fiesta and Focus model life cycles, which could result in a Fiesta RS arriving at least 12 months ahead of as Focus RS – and as soon as 2015. The likely power source for a Fiesta RS would be an uprated version of the ST’s 134kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbo, producing in the order of 172kW to trump the existing 160kW/320Nm Mountune-enhanced version available overseas.  A tricky diff is possible to help put such power to the ground, along with widened tracks, monster brakes, and pumped wheelarches and other agressive body enhancements to help link it with the RS-liveried Fiesta WRC racer. Development mules have already been sighted of a Focus with the same treatment, with the likely motive source a version of the 2015 Mustang’s circa-227kW 2.3 litre EcoBoost engine. This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn  

The 59-year-old, one of the last senior executives from the tumultuous Jacques Nasser era, started as Ford's vice president of design in 1997 after working with BMW, Audi and Volkswagen.

For the launch of the hot Ford Fiesta ST in New Zealand, the carmaker commissioned the creation of a branded hot sauce, and then unleashed it in Auckland’s restaurants and cafes. To that end, they sought out the world’s hottest chili, the feared Trinidad Scorpion, which registers 1.463 million on the Scoville scale that measures heat of chili peppers. To give you some idea of just how eye-watering that is, the bird’s-eye chili in your pad thai is a wimpy 50-100,000 Scoville units. So the Trinidad Scorpion is up to 30 times hotter than anything you’ve accidentally chomped down from your local takeaway. Ford distributed 3000 bottles of their edible fire to restaurants and ran a promotion in which people could win a bottle to take home. Where no doubt it will come in useful to start barbecues and strip paint. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

The new Ford Fiesta range has been rationalised to petrol-only, killing off the 66kW/200Nm 1.6-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder that arrived here only in five-speed manual form. And Ford Australia's general sales manager Neale Hill is bullish about the mid-life update of new Fiesta line-up, which also introduced the scorching new Fiesta ST. Speaking at the Australian launch of the Fiesta and Fiesta ST, Hill said the Fiesta diesel went because just three per cent of buyers wanted the alternative option. The Fiesta is a member of the B-segment, along with cars like the Toyota Yaris and Mazda2. When asked if the Focus was having the same problem, he said that diesel power was "holding in the C-segment." When the refreshed Fiesta goes on sale in September, the mainstays of the range will be powered by a 1.5 litre Duratec in the Trend and Ambiente. Hill said the slight downsizing was in line with Ford’s strategy around the world. "It's part of a global shift (to smaller capacities) and is consistent with our competitors," he said. Both the Yaris and Fiesta are powered 1.5 litre units. The 1.0 litre EcoBoost Fiesta won't be ready until December as the factory in Thailand is yet to start producing the award-winning three-cylinder turbo. When the subject moved to the performance variant, the ST, Hill pointed out that the light performance sector had increased by 150 percent since 2011. Asked about his theory as to why that might be, his answer was a simple admission of being mystified. "We don't really know," he said. When pressed about expectedly monthly volumes, in light of the more expensive Peugeot 208 GTI's ambitious 25 per month estimate, he declined to comment but did indicate an initial shipment of 100 cars. They'll go quickly.  

VW's Polo GTI pioneered the path and we'll soon feel the need for some RenaultSport speed in the new Clio, as well as the Peugeot 208 GTi and Citroen DS3.But the Ford Fiesta ST shows the most promise. And it should also set the value standard with a starting price of $25,990 when deliveries begin this month.It's one of the baby cars that is converting youngsters from the former go-faster hero cars, the Subaru Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, into something smaller, cheaper and more relevant. A slick-shifting front-drive baby makes more sense today than a fire-breathing AWD monster developed for forest racing.The arrival of the second-generation ST part of an update deal for the Blue Oval baby that will bring affordable performance to the smallest member of the Ford family, as well as mirroring the ST surge in the Focus line -- but for nearly $10,000 less.The Fiesta ST cannot come soon enough as Ford Australia searches for good-news stories for its showrooms in the wake of the death sentence for the locally made Falcon and Territory. The compact Kuga is already on the road and the SUV tiddler, the EcoSport, is coming soon.The fast-and-friendly Fiesta does the job. The 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine is a direct-injection four (134kW/240N) developed by Ford's RS division in Europe, which has been responsible for a string of hits including the wham-bam Focus RS that sold out in double-quick time in Australia. Even with the extra urge, there is a 20 per cent improvement in fuel economy to 6.2L/100km.There is capped-price servicing. It's got everything from grippy Recaro bucket seats to carbon-fibre trim, 4.2-inch infotainment screen, push-button start, aircon and rear parking radar. Ford's Sync emergency-aid system is standard, making an SOS call on the driver's mobile if the car's airbag is triggered.There are obvious changes to the springs and dampers for a car that sits 15 millimetres lower than a regular Fiesta, with beefier brakes including rear discs and a sports-tuned, twin-pipe exhaust that promises WRX-style audio entertainment.There are inevitable body bits but also three-position stability control and electronic vectoring of torque to the driven wheels. But don't go shopping for an ST if you want an easy-going Fiesta -- it's six-speed manual only. If the Fiesta ST proves as enjoyable to drive as the bigger Focus ST, it is a certain winner here. And good buying, too.Ford Fiesta ST -- deliveries start this monthPrice: from $25,990Engine:1.6-litre turbo, 134kW/240NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, FWDThirst: 6.2L/100kmRIVALS Price: from $30,000 (arrives early 2014)Engine: 147kW/275NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, FWDThirst: 6.3L/100Km, 144g/km CO2 (Euro) There is a touch of Godzilla about the turbo RS baby, which makes a powerful and rewarding case on road and track. A preview drive in France this year was great fun but the price will go against it. Price: from $27,990 (on sale now)Engine: 132kW/250NmTransmission: 7-speed twin-clutch auto, FWDThirst: 6.1L/100km, 142g/km CO2 It might not have the all-out eagerness of the bigger Golf GTI but the Polo is a sweet little package. It's a refined car with enough edge to bring a smile but will struggle against its punchier new rivals. Price: from $29,990 (later this month)Engine: 147W/275NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, FWDThirst: 5.9L/100km, 139g/km CO2 Pitched as the spiritual successor to the 205 GTi from the 1980s. We question whether it has the driving enjoyment or the value in a class that's ever getting more competitive. Price: from $28,990 (on sale now)Engine: 141kW/230NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, FWDThirst: 7.5L/100km, 175g/km CO2 Regardless of the performance package, the Corsa is an old car. The OPC work is good across the Opel family but the Corsa is not cheap and this German brand is still scrabbling for traction in local showrooms. Price: from $29,740 (on sale now)Engine: 115kW/240NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, FWDThirst: 6.7L/100km, 155g/km CO2 Almost unknown in Australia but about to benefit from a DS push by new Citroen management. The DS3 trades on great looks but doesn't have the punch or price to challenge the Fiesta. 

A hot little Fiesta ST priced at $25,990 will headline the updated range when it arrives in Australia with a fresh design, new engines and features.

Scheduled to go on sale here towards the middle of 2013, the Ford Fiesta range will kick off with the tiny 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder EcoBoost engine that claimed the World Engine of the Year award a few months ago. “We’ve confirmed the three-cylinder turbo for the Fiesta,” Ford spokesman Neil McDonald says. “Originally it was going to be the EcoSport SUV  but Fiesta will beat it to market by several months. The turbocharged engine is offered in two levels -- 74kW/170Nm and 92kW/200Nm – but there’s no indication yet of whether we will get both. “It’s a little bit early to talk what the engine line-up will be,” McDonald says, although agreeing there would have to be consideration of whether the local market would go for two 1.0-litre versions or would expect to see a larger unit in the upper spec cars. The leaked official images show the main styling changes are focused on the nose, which gets the Aston Martin-flavoured grille shape -- already worn by the overseas Ford Fusion (Mondeo) – set off with a new front bumper and headlight clusters featuring LED running lights. McDonald says it’s also too early to discuss whether price and specification levels will change markedly from the current range, which opens with the $16,990 CL and tops out at the $23,490 Zetec – or whether they will be joined by the Fiesta ST seen overseas. “There’s been a Fiesta ST concept vehicle shown in Europe but we haven’t confirmed it for here,” he says. “For the rest of the range, it’s too far out to talk about price, but we plan to remain competitive. The Fiesta has been doing quite well -- around the 700 per month. It’s been a pretty strong seller for us.” While the release of fresh metal can often mean extra demand that constrains supply of some imported cars, McDonald points out Asian production means it won’t be a problem for the Fiesta. “Our vehicles are built in Thailand so I don’t think supply is going to be an issue,” he says.  

... rival the prices on the BMW options' list for things like salad and spuds.So it's no surprise that the top end of town calls the shots at the Palexpo alongside Geneva Airport as Europe's carmakers go head-to-head for the first time in 2012. Ferrari and Lamborghini battle for go-faster bragging rights as Rolls-Royce and Bentley get serious about family motoring for the ultra-rich, while Infiniti pitches an new exotic coupe and even Ssangyong of Korea goes upmarket with a new concept. There are also dozens of one-off dream machines and hotrod tuner cars in Geneva, a show that is traditionally dominated by European design stars including Pininfarina and Giugiaro. But there is plenty, too, for ordinary car buyers as the Fiesta ST brakes cover, Hyundai updates the i20 and teases with the Veloster Turbo, Jaguar confirms an XF station wagon, Audi and Mercedes-Benz previews their A3 and A-Class, and Ford even updates its box-boring Transit workhorse. Picking the best of the best is tough with so much gorgeous stuff on the stands, but Alfa Romeo is the winner for 2012 and edges out the Infiniti Emerge-E with its Disco Volante.The pretty little red coupe is dreamy without being stupid and is already confirmed for production, although the slightly-retro body will be draped over Alfa's existing 8C Competizione chassis - 4.7-litre V8, 335kW, 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds - which means it's no chance for Australia with only left-hand drive.The Ferrari F12 is exactly what you expect from the fastest car to wear the badge - 340km/h and 0-100km/h in 3.1 seconds - including a swoopy body that taps the past as well as the influences that created the California convertible, but Lamborghini goes even better with an Aventador J preview car that is snapped up for a rumoured $2.8 million ahead of genuine production of an open-topped Aventador supercar.Rolls-Royce updates the Phantom with a new nose that still demands respect, as well as tweaking its colour choices with a two-tone approach that triggers memories of cheap seventies vinyl roofs, and Jaguar gets serious for families with an XF Sportbrake that will still struggle in a world of SUVs.Further down the food chain, the Audi A3 looks good but not as edgy as an A-Class that must break away from the bus pass generation into something closer to the Y-Gen futurists, and Volkswagen previews a more car-like Tiguan crossover with its Cross Coupe.Hyundai has a preview of a new flagship coupe called the i-oniq - did it mean ironic? - Kia shows a Track'ster that will become the new Soul, Honda shows the CR-V design that's coming to Australia, and the pocket rocket Ford Fiesta ST breaks cover with a confirmation for Australia.The action and excitement at Geneva goes on and on, and that is - really - the best thing about the show. Detroit in January hinted that the word's carmakers are finally emerging from the austerity and fear of the global financial crisis and the big-spending effort in Geneva confirms it, with good news for almost everyone from Euro billionaires to ordinary Aussie families.PG PICKS:1. Bentley EXP 9 F.Only one word fits - Ugly. With a big capital U. The hulking British bulldog might tick the boxes for cashed-up families, but this SUV makes a LandCruiser look elegant, and subtle.2. Giugiaro Brivido.Exactly what you expect to see in Geneva, as designers go all-out to impress the crowds - and each other. Not for production but a great looker with huge gullwing doors.3. Range Rover Evoque Convertible. A certainty for production as Land Rover milks its most successful design - ever. This one will never go bush but is being fast tracked for Double Bay and Toorak.4. Ssangyong XIV-2. Who knew the South Koreans could trump the Euros with a design that combines SUV practicality with a coupe-convertible body? A big surprise.5. Toyota FT-Bh: Just when you thought the uglies were done, Toyota lobbed with this. If it's the future for hybrid cars then sales will be slow. Very slow.

Since the disappearance of the Fiesta XR4 in 2008, there has been a big hole in the hot end of Ford’s small cars. Instead of the hot version of the Fiesta, they got a super-green version in the form of the Fiesta Econetic. That’s great but it hardly warmed the hearts of true performance hatch fans. But Ford is about to set things right with the confirmation this week that Aussies will be getting the hot new Fiesta ST unveiled at Geneva motor show some time next year instead of the XR4’s 110kW, the new ST punches out a mouth-watering 132kW -- and that’s from a smaller 1.6-litre turbo rather than the XR4’s 2.0-litre. That puts it right up there with the Polo GTi, we reckon. We'll be getting the 132kW tyro sometime next year as the hottie starts to roll out in Europe. "The car is a definite starter for Australia too in 2013 but at this stage its too early to put a specific time on it,'' a spokesman for Ford Australia said. "We think itll be a good opportunity to raise the ST profile locally as well also have the Focus ST on sale later this year.'' While the XR4's 2.0-litre engine produced 110kW the new ST's 1.6-litre turbocharged unit (it will be called ST here too) is good for 132kW. With 240Nm of torque on tap it can sprint from 0-100km/h in under seven seconds and has a top speed of more than 220km/h. At the same time, the EcoBoost technology delivers a 20 per cent reduction in COinf2 emissions compared with the previous ST. Developed by Ford's Team RS, the new Fiesta ST delivers significant ride-and-handling improvements through the introduction of a specially tuned chassis that sits 15mm lower than the standard Fiesta; Ford's enhanced Torque Vectoring Control system; and three Electronic Stability Control modes. The technologies were put to the test over 5000 kilometers of driving on Germany's Nurburgring Nordschleife. "We believe Ford customers will be blown away by the new Fiesta ST, and not only by the exhilarating performance but by the styling and specification, too,'' said Jost Capito, Ford's director of Global Performance Vehicles. "This dynamic new hot-hatch is undoubtedly our best Fiesta ST to date,'' The high-contrast interior features unprecedented levels of equipment and specification to suit the sporting driver, with standard Recaro sports seats for the first time. It also will be equipped with MyKey, which allows owners to limit performance and ensure activation of safety features for when less-experienced drivers use the vehicle; and SYNC, Ford's voice-activated in-car connectivity system. A new bold and dynamic exterior design drives home the high performance message and features the latest Ford design signatures including a large trapezoidal grille.