We all have been waiting for a Ford Fiesta with an RS badge only for the automaker to come out saying they won’t be offering the model. In consolation, Ford is releasing a new and more powerful Fiesta which they have dubbed the 2017 Ford Fiesta ST200. This new model was unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Auto Show. The new model improves power and torque compared to the standard Ford Fiesta.
The model will use the same engine as the standard ST but add an OverBoost feature. This pumps output to 212 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. To the American market, this sounds like a minor upgrade but to the European market it is a huge boost in power. This is because the European Fiesta ST is not as powerful as the model offered in the States. As such, the Fiesta ST200 won’t be setting foot in the United States.
2017 Ford Fiesta ST200 Exterior
There are not much exterior changes compared with the standard Ford Fiesta ST. The small hatchback looks aggressive from all directions. At the front, it features a large honeycomb grille with a black finish. The headlights flanking it look slimmer. The front bumper is integrated with air intakes.
On the sides, the 2-door hatch comes unchanged compared to the standard version. The vehicle rides on black matte 5-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels which do little to hide its red brake calipers.
At the rear, the hatch features twin exhaust pipes with a chrome finish. The rear also features a black and gray diffuser. Ford has also hooked up the hatch with fine-tuned front and rear suspension springs and dampers. This has led to a 15 mm drop in ride height which has lowered its center of gravity.
2017 Ford Fiesta ST200 Interior
The cabin is not so much different from that of the standard Fiesta ST. To start with, it features the same Recaro seats from the ST. However, the seats here are wrapped albeit partially with Charcoal colored leather with a silver contrast stitching. The scuff plates are illuminated while the seat belts feature a silver detailing.
Unlike the current ST which features its door handles close to the front while widow and mirror controls are farther back, the new ST200 features the door handle in the middle of the armrest while the mirror and window controls are now close to the front. It results in a much cleaner look that actually makes the cabin look more spacious. The storage pocket at the bottom of the armrest is unchanged.
Its steering wheel, dashboard and the instrument cluster look unchanged from the ST. However the infotainment system’s control knob is larger. An ST200 badge has also been added to the center console below the climate control panel and just in front of the shifter.
Those are the major changes which tell the ST200 cabin apart from that of the base ST.
For safety, the ST200 features an upgraded torque vectoring control and 3-mode electronic stability control. It also features an adapted rear twist-beam and an upgraded front steering knuckle for better cornering and improved agility. An enhanced braking system featuring a larger tandem master cylinder and rear disc brakes helps bring the hatch to a halt quickly.
Engine Specs and Performance
Under the hood is where Ford achieves the real purpose of the ST200. The hatch still features the same turbocharged 1.6 L, EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine as the base Fiesta ST. However, the engine has been tweaked to produce more power. The new mill comes good with 212 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque.
This represents 18 hp and 37 lb-ft of toque more than the base Fiesta ST. Things get even better with addition of a transient OverBoost feature which allows the engine to pump out an extra 15 horses and 22lb-ft of torque on demand for around 15 seconds.
Further, the automaker has altered the Ratio of the new hatch final gear. Instead of 3.82:1, the hatch now features a 4.08:1 final drive gear. The automaker remained mum about its performance figures but disclosed that it can hit a top speed of 143 mph, 13 mph more than the base Fiesta ST.
Due to increased power output and the smaller final gear; we believe the ST200 can run from 0-60 mph in around 6.7 seconds. Exact acceleration and fuel economy figures will be disclosed as the model nears its sale date so make sure to come back for more updates.
Price and release date
Ford did not also disclose the price of the 2017 Ford Fiesta ST200. However, we believe the model will be more expensive than the standard Fiesta ST.
The current Fiesta ST has a starting price of $ 20,970 and we believe the Fiesta ST200 could start at $ 25,000 or thereabout. The model will be released in the second half of this year.
Just FYI, the US and EU version of the Fiesta ST have the exact same power output. The EU just has stricter rules on advertising the 200PS/197BHP figure due to the 15 second overboost. Without the temporary overboost, it’s around 180PS/178BHP. Pretty much everyone writing about the new ST200 has this wrong, but the tech specs are available if you look for them.
Also, all standard STs have the overboost feature, not just the ST200.