The Blue Oval company has decided to bring the U.S. version of its 2014 Fiesta ST to this week’s L.A. Auto Show. Under the bonnet they’ve fitted a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine pumping out 197 hp and 214 lb-ft, thus making it more powerful than its Euro sibling which delivers 178 hp and 177 lb-ft. Ford USA plans on selling it only as a 5-door hatchback and with a six-speed manual transmission. It should be able to return 34 mpg according to the automaker’s estimations. In terms of design, it has a new front grille and chin spoiler, an updated rear diffuser and fascia extensions. It has 17-inch alloys, a high-mounted spoiler and a dual exhaust system.
If we were to compare it to the regular Fiesta, the hotter ST model sits 15mm lower and comes with a tweaked rear axle that has an increased roll stiffness which should improve its stability through corners. Ford’s engineers also tweaked the suspension and added Torque Vectoring Control which lowers understeer. The ST’s three-mode electronic stability control includes off, standard and sport modes.
Moving inside the cabin of this 2014 Ford Fiesta ST we find Recaro sports seat in standard configuration, while at an additional cost clients can opt for Ford’s MyKey technology.
This model is considered by Ford as a more attractive alternative to the Chevrolet Sonic RS and the Mini Cooper S. We’ll let you be the judge of that when the car goes on sale next year.
Source: Autocar
