Geneva show – Ford unveils its pumped-up Fiesta

Ford has revealed the latest version of its Fiesta ST range-topper at the Geneva show.

The 178bhp three-door car is being shown in production-ready form and will be in showrooms in around a year.

The new ST uses a 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine and its 178bhp power figure is 20 per cent better than the previous ST, which had a 2-litre unit.

The car will boast sub seven-second 0-62mph times and a potential top speed of more than 136mph. But it will also return 20 per cent less emissions.

Ford adds that the new ST will be an impressive-handling car, aided by tech advances including an enhanced Torque Vectoring Control system, a specially-tuned chassis and three Electronic Stability Control settings.

All the upgrades have been extensively developed at Germany’s infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit, according to the car’s creators.

Jost Capito, who heads Ford’s Global Performance Vehicle department, says the new car is the best Fiesta ST to date; “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.”

Words by: Andrew Charman