Friday, February 24, 2017

New Ford Fiesta ST Loses a Cylinder, Gains Performance

2017 Ford Fiesta ST - Europe

Ford has debuted its next-generation Fiesta ST, or as it's affectionately known, the FiST. The new FiST will come with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder engine—down one piston from the last iteration. However, power is reported to be 200 PS, which translates to 197 hp, the same as it is now. Torque is going up to 290 Nm (214 lbs/ft) from 202 lbs/ft. Ford is anticipating a 0-62 time of 6.7 seconds.

According to Ford,

Part of Ford’s EcoBoost range of petrol engines that also includes the multi-award-winning 1.0‑litre EcoBoost, the all-new 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine uses technology including turbocharging, high-pressure fuel injection and Twin-independent Variable Cam Timing to deliver optimized performance and fuel efficiency.
The engine’s three-cylinder architecture delivers naturally high torque at low rpm. Performance is further boosted by a new turbocharger that uses an optimized turbine design to build boost pressure faster and minimize lag for a more responsive and fun driving experience.
A new combination of port fuel injection and direct fuel injection technology helps deliver high power and responsiveness alongside reduced CO2 emissions, with a particular increase in fuel efficiency under light engine loads.
Ford’s new cylinder deactivation technology—first announced for the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine and a world first for a three-cylinder engine – will further improve fuel efficiency for Fiesta ST customers without affecting performance by automatically stopping fuel delivery and valve operation for one of the engine’s cylinders in conditions where full capacity is not needed, such as when coasting or cruising with light demand on the engine. The technology can disengage or re-engage one cylinder in 14 milliseconds–20 times faster than the blink of an eye—to seamlessly deliver full performance on demand. 
The all-aluminium engine also features an integrated exhaust manifold that improves efficiency by helping the engine reach optimal temperatures faster, and delivers torque more rapidly by minimizing the distance exhaust gasses travel between cylinders and turbocharger. Gas particulate filter technology that reduces soot emissions will also feature.
Ford's revised hot hatch will also get various drive modes, including normal, sport, and track. It will, curiously, have cylinder deactivation (interesting feature for a three-cylinder), and sound enhancement, meaning the car's speakers will pump in "enhanced" exhaust note. No real limited-slip differential, rather it'll rely on brake vectoring again.

Of course, this news comes from Ford Europe, where the new FiST will make its public debut at the Geneva International Motor Show in March. And since this is Euro info, we also get all of the Euro specs and imagery, including the two-door variant not sold in the U.S. (I would expect the two door to remain a Euro thing, by the way.) Also, there's no assurance the North American FiST will get the 1.5-liter three-banger or a different engine since, you know, Euro info.

The Fiesta ST is arguably the best-performing b-segment hot hatch on the North American market. We enjoyed the one we reviewed. We'll be keeping our ears to the tracks for more info on the next-gen, too.

2017 Ford Fiesta ST



3 comments:

Socarboy said...

i wonder if Ford will bring the Fiesta 3-door (pictured here) to the North American market to complement the 5-door

nlpnt said...

I think if anything the 5-door will be the only body style for the entire Fiesta line, the sedan will go away and the crossovery Active model will be on offer for people who don't like the hatchback image.

Pecci said...

They may keep the 4 dr. sedan, to use as their "bargain" offering.

I don't think we'll ever see a 3 dr. though.