The badges on the final model might be different, but an executive says Ford's electric subcompact revival is going to offer at least one sporty variant. The Ford Fiesta ST may have only appeared in the U.S. market for one short generation, but it quickly established itself as one of the most beloved hot hatchbacks to ever reach American shores.
Another European-only generation followed, but even that disappeared in favor of Ford's current crop of crossovers three years ago. Fortunately, a world deprived of the lovable little hatchback may not have to wait much longer to see what comes next in Ford's super-subcompact line.
View Price on AmazonFord announced back in May that its European lineup would be getting five "rally-bred" models, a plan that would re-introduce some whimsy into what has become a thoroughly un-whimsical continental lineup. In a recent conversation with Auto Express, European Ford product executive Christian Weingartner says that a new electric Fiesta is among the models from the brand that will offer a sportier variant.
Weingartner says that Ford has "not made any decisions on naming," suggesting that the model may not specifically be called an ST or RS. Still, a quicker model that brings some level of performance to the subcompact EV is a must. "To be credible and authentic," he says, "there needs to be some kind of performance series of our vehicles; that's what we’ve got to have.”
Since the new Fiesta EV is set to be based on the same platform as the Renault 5, it could accommodate some of the changes seen in the closely-related Alpine A290. The Alpine produces around 215 horsepower, a number that falls in line with expectations for previous Fiesta ST models. The platform can also take a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup, potentially opening the door for a Fiesta RS or Fiesta Rally in line with the similarly-badged Mustang Mach-E.
Ford could even follow Renault's lead in building a rear-wheel drive super-hatch like the upcoming R5 Turbo 3E, but that far-out plan sounds substantially less likely. Regardless of what Ford does with the new performance Fiesta, it should follow the ST in being a satisfying and unique take on the hot hatchback. Unfortunately for us Americans that loved the one Fiesta ST sold here, this one sounds very likely to follow the previous generation in only being sold in Europe.
Source: roadandtrack.com
