Ford flashes Fiesta ST

FORD has teased fast Fiesta fans with a short video which previews the next generation version of its popular Fiesta ST and set a date of February 24 for the big reveal.

Little detail is revealed in the fast-paced and low-lit clip but the esteemed ST badge is given a clear frame of its own, confirming that the energetically driven car will be the performance flagship of the small hatchback range.

Viewers with a quick eye will spot a number of the usual ST enhancements including larger 14-spoke alloy wheels, high-mount boot spoiler and a fettled bodykit. Keen car spotters will also notice that the car in question is a five door indicating that the blue oval may switch from the three-door layout of the current ST.

Pumped up side skirts and a twin tailpipe complete the exterior hints but no view of the interior has yet been offered.

If the new version follows the lead of the current Fiesta ST, its cabin will be decked out with a pair of deep Recaro bucket seats as a centrepiece as well as fat steering wheel and alloy pedals among others.

While all other versions of the Australian-market Fiesta will be produced at Ford’s Rayong plant in Thailand, the ST will be built in Germany, as indicated by the featured vehicle’s European registration plate.

A close up of the rear section appears to show a blanked-out rear three-quarter window, which may suggest the star of the film is a development prototype or pre-production version.

The car is shot racing a BMX rider through workshops which are understood to be sections of the Ford factory in Cologne.

Ford Australia was not able to add any local perspective regarding the teaser video and confirmed that it heralds the introduction of the Fiesta ST to European, Middle Eastern and African markets, and Australian fans will have to wait for further information.

An ST version will be the fifth variant to be revealed by Ford following the luxury Vignale, Titanium, Active crossover and ST-Line. The latter offers the biggest hint to date with many of the aesthetic treatments of the real deal, albeit remit of the performance-boosting mechanicals.

As for its powertrain, Ford is staying tight-lipped at this stage but a return of the 1.6-litre EcoBoost turbo four-pot is not out of the question and neither is an increased power output of more than the current 132kW.

It is likely the ST will follow its less performance-focused siblings, which are due to arrive on red dirt at a point this year.