Is Ford Performance about to unleash a 250-hp version of the tiny Fiesta?

By Ronan Glon December 22, 2015

2015 Ford Fiesta ST — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ford Performance has embarked on an ambitious model offensive that will spawn no less than 12 brand new sports cars by the year 2020. One of them is the vaunted 350-horsepower Focus RS that bowed earlier this year, and German media outlets report it will soon be joined by a hot-rodded version of the Fiesta city car.

Positioned at the top of the Fiesta lineup, the RS model will allegedly be equipped with the same turbocharged 1.6-liter EcoBooost four-cylinder engine that’s found under the hood of the Fiesta ST (pictured). It will be tuned to make roughly 250 horsepower, a 66-pony increase over the ST, and it will likely be bolted to an enthusiast-approved six-speed manual transmission.

Some sources report the RS will retain the stock Fiesta’s front-wheel drive configuration, while others believe it will adopt all-wheel drive for the first time in the nameplate’s history. Regardless of which option is chosen, the smallest member of the Ford Performance lineup will be capable of sprinting from zero to 62 mph in approximately six seconds before going on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph.

The Fiesta RS will look even meaner than the ST thanks to a full body kit whose design will be inspired by the one fitted to the Focus RS. Expect Ford’s next pocket rocket to feature a deep front bumper with a bigger air dam, a wider grille, a pair of vents cut into the hood, model-specific side skirts, and a sizable air diffuser out back. Like its bigger sibling, the Fiesta will also gain a sprinkling of RS emblems all around as well as track-inspired bits and pieces in the cabin such as bucket seats and a more thorough instrument cluster.

German magazine Auto Bild believes Ford will introduce the Fiesta RS next year to celebrate the nameplate’s 40th anniversary. It will go on sale globally the following year, a time frame that suggests the hatchback might not arrive in the United States until the 2018 model year.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributor

Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?

The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.