There’s no shortage of rumors about a high-performance Ford Fiesta RS, but for now Ford’s hotter Fiesta will be an upgraded version of the existing ST model.
The Ford Fiesta ST200 debuts this week at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, but it’s unclear whether it will be sold in the U.S. when production begins later this year. As the name suggests, the ST200’s 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine develops 200 horsepower, but only when measured on the metric system.
That figure works out to 197 horsepower on the U.S. system. If you check the Ford website, you’ll notice that the U.S.-spec Fiesta ST is already listed as making 197 hp, but that’s not the whole story. That amount of power can be achieved only with a temporary overboost function, while the ST200 makes it consistently. The ST200 has its own overcast function, too, bringing output up to 212 hp.
The ST200 also produces 214 pound-feet of torque (236 lb-ft. with overboost), and everything is channeled through a six-speed manual transmission. Ford also added a shorter find-drive ratio, which it claims helps to improve acceleration. Speaking of acceleration, the ST200 will do 0 to 62 mph in 6.7 seconds (0.2 second quicker than the standard ST), and will hit a top speed of 143 mph.
To set the ST200 apart from the standard Fiesta ST, Ford gave it a special paint color called Storm Grey, that looks like it would help the car blend in on the deck of an aircraft carrier. Other visual cues include model-specific 17-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, and an upgraded interior with Recaro front sport seats and special trim.
Production of the Ford Fiesta ST200 begins in June for the European market. Ford won’t confirm the car for the U.S., but it would make a nice sendoff for the current-generation Fiesta, which is due to be replaced soon. Unless Ford really does decide to build an RS model, it looks like the ST200 will be the hottest Fiesta around.
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