Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Ford Fiesta ST Concept is a five-door street tough

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-...photo-4619088/

If you're wondering about the future of Ford powertrains, the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and the 2013 Ford Escape should provide all the clues you need. The entry-level crossover features a pair of EcoBoost four-cylinder engines and exactly zero V6 options.

The smallest EcoBoost displaces only 1.6 liters, and promises terrific fuel economy and performance. That engine is the thriftiest engine in the Escape, but what if it were to reside under the hood of something much smaller? That's where the Fiesta ST Concept comes into play. The performance-oriented Fiesta is on display at the Ford exhibit in LA, and though it's a showcar for now, this B-segment hatch looks production ready.

Ford claims that in this application, the 1.6-liter EcoBoost delivers 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque – a whopping 60 more ponies than the naturally aspirated 1.6 featured in the garden-variety production Fiesta. Given that the base Fiesta is only 2,600 pounds, we're guessing 180 horsepower is more than enough punch to turn the Fiesta into one heck of a fun ride.

The Fiesta ST concept certainly looks the part of a high-performance hatch, with a gaping, aggressive black mesh grille, attractive body-colored moldings and chunky five-spoke 17-inch wheels.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/f...-street-tough/

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

don't care about the fiesta news, but that sounds very promising for the new escape!!!!

Kostamojen

I'd buy this over a Focus in a heartbeat!

jadu

iTrader: (42)

brought to mind the neon srt4 stories all over again

anyways the new ecoboosts look promising

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

it's a LOT smaller than a focus.

whoster

I think my next car might either be this or that 500 Abarth...

rosskoss

This car appeals to me a lot. I really feel like trading in my Mazdaspeed3 for one of these babies!

Kostamojen

Not really. I just drove both of them last week.