What would be more fun than a Fiesta ST? Why, a Fiesta RS of course

By Alexander Kalogianni March 17, 2015

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

When the Focus ST and Fiesta ST came about, we were delighted since the vanilla hatchbacks were stylish and halfway decent for the segment they represent, so we were quickly on board with the idea of giving them a sporty boost. The Fiesta ST in particular was downright wacky, surprising us with how ridiculously fun it could be. Now, with the Focus getting even more beefed up with the upcoming RS, it looks like the Fiesta will follow suit.

Both cars were spied testing in full camo recently in Europe, as a black mystery Fiesta joined two prototype Focus RS’s, also fairly disguised despite it being officially revealed back in February.

Ford Focus RS — Fords new Focus RS. Could the Fiesta Follow suit? Image used with permission by copyright holder

From a glance at the shots taken by CarPix via Carscoops, the bodywork of the Fiesta looks chunkier and wider, hinting that this is more than a mere Fiesta upgrade. We’d love to take a peek under the hood and confirm our giddy suspicions.

At the moment, the Fiesta packs a 1.6-liter turbocharged ecoboost four-cylinder with direct injection for its ST trim. The front-wheel drive hatchback gets 197 horsepower to the wheels and 202 pound-feet of torque. The numbers are just enough to make this sport-tuned rocket one heck of an autocross plaything. So what would the RS version bring?

First off, power to all four wheels would probably be a big factor in distinguishing itself from the ST. More wheel drive should also mean a boost in power as well, and we know that Fiestas that run currently in the World Rally Championship can net 300 horsepower out of the same engine. It’s doubtful that the road car would get nearly as much, but its indicative of what’s possible.

Of course, nothing has been confirmed, but this morsel of information is enough to get us salivating for what could be. The Focus RS has us already counting the days until its launch, but considering how much of a blast the Fiesta ST is, we can’t wait to see what the RS treatment could bring.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Alexander Kalogianni

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Alex K is an automotive writer based in New York. When not at his keyboard or behind the wheel of a car, Alex spends a lot of…

Cars

The 10 best car battery brands in 2024

How to test a car battery

You must know this, but your car needs a battery to run properly. A dead battery means a car won't start, but various electronics in the car won't work properly either, including overhead dome lights, the radio, and even some security features, like door locks or alerts. So, it's in your best interest to ensure your vehicle's battery is in tip-top shape at all times. It's especially important if your car or vehicle sits unused for long periods. A trickle charger can help keep the battery powered in those situations, or worst case, a portable jump starter can help you get it going. But eventually, you're going to need to replace your battery, and it will help to know the best car battery brands out there so you know precisely what to replace your old one with. Let's discuss.
AC Delco
In operation for more than a century, AC Delco has been recommended as "the only batteries" for GM vehicles. You'll find them at retailers like AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Amazon, and even some Walmarts. They're reliable, reasonably priced, and come with a good warranty, 18 months or above, depending on where you buy. A great AC Delco battery to call out is the Advantage series.

Bosch
Bosch is a solid mid-grade battery provider both in quality and price. They do have some affordable options, but their premium lines are still reasonably priced, with several tiers available for a wide variety of vehicles. The downside is that Bosch batteries are not carried by all retailers like some of the other options on our list, but you can find them online. You can also visit a Bosch service center if there's one near you. Callouts are the S4 to S6 series and the T4 to T6 series. We will say the brand's four-year free replacement warranty is unmatched.

Cars

Tesla’s fix for faulty Cybertruck pedal is simpler than you might think

Tesla Cybertruck

Less than five months after handing over the first Cybertrucks to customers, Tesla has had to recall the electric pickup to fix an issue with the accelerator.

In a notice issued on Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that the recall impacts Cybertruck vehicles manufactured from November 13, 2023, to April 4, 2024. This suggests that all -- or almost all -- of the 3,878 Cybertrucks being recalled are those that have been manufactured to date.

Cars

Ford Mustang Mach-E 2024 vs. Mach-E 2023: What’s new in Ford’s electric Mustang?

Blue Ford Mustang Mach-E on a rooftop

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is easily one of the best EVs for the price, offering a solid range, sleek design, and pretty good tech on the inside. In recent years, it has gotten even cheaper -- thanks in large part to a price war between it and the Tesla Model 3. And, the company just took the wraps off of the latest and greatest version of the Mach-E, labeled as the 2024 model.

The 2024 Mustang Mach-E is notably different from the 2023 iteration in some meaningful ways. So much so that we decided to take a look at the two head-to-head -- to see if it was better to pay for the 2024 model or save some cash on any remaining 2023 stock.
Design
The Mustang Mach-E looks relatively unique -- in a good way. And thankfully, Ford has largely kept the overall design the same for the 2024 model, at least when it comes to the more consumer-focused models. The car retains the slatted taillights and crossover size. It also offers a large selection of colors, including the very blue Grabber Blue Metallic, as well as Rapid Red Metallic. It's a good selection of colors, and there should be an option for most buyers.