Ford is set to unveil its hot Fiesta ST at the Los Angeles Motor Show tomorrow.
The Fiesta ST will be launched in the USA during 2013, following the stateside debut of the larger Focus ST earlier this year. It will be the first time that Ford has offered the Fiesta ST to the American market.
Underneath the bonnet, the Fiesta ST is fitted with Ford's rather excellent 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine which develops 178bhp and 177lb-ft of torque, making for a 0-62mph time of less than seven seconds and a top speed of 136mph. And, in a move which will shock the average 'Merican motorist, the ST will be offered with a six-speed stick-shift -- sorry, manual -- gearbox only.
The ST sits 15mm closer to the ground than the standard Fiesta and features a stiffer rear axle, sharper steering and modified front suspension. Torque Vectoring Control and a three-mode stability control program are also on offer, helping to reduce understeer and improve the ST's handling characteristics.
Visually, the ST is differentiated from lesser models in the Fiesta range by its bodykit, 17-inch alloys, front and rear spoiler and chrome-tipped dual exhausts. On the inside, the ST is fitted with Recaro seats and a 'mechanical' sound symposer, which channels the engine sound directly into the cabin.
The ST will be offered on the US market in five-door guise only; however, when it comes to the UK next year, you'll be able to choose between three- and five-door models.
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