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AutoCar.co.uk: Is a Hot new Ford Fiesta RS planned??

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#1
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-geneva-motor-show/hot-new-ford-fiesta-rs-planned



by Will Nightingale
29 January 2015 .

A new Ford Fiesta RS could be bought to market as the Blue Oval plans an even hotter version of the current Fiesta ST.

Ford is putting a renewed focus on performance models following the launch of its new Ford Performance arm, which brings together previous divisions such as RS and Ford Racing under one roof. Ford Performance has pledged to launch 12 models by 2020, including a new Focus RS and the GT supercar, plus versions of the Mustang and F150.

The identity of the other eight models remains under wraps but, speaking to Autocar, Ford Performance manager Tyrone Johnson said that work was under way on a new, higher-performance version of the Fiesta that could theoretically be a Ford Performance product.

Johnson wouldn't say whether the new Fiesta model would be badged as a faster or replacement version of the ST, or as an RS. However, he confirmed that the performance version would be based on the current chassis, meaning that it would be launched at some point within the next two and a half years.

"There's more to come from the current Fiesta," he said, adding that the decision had been made after the global success of the standard Fiesta ST, which was launched in 2013.

Johnson also explained the rationale behind what made a model an ST or RS, something significant in identifying whether it is a 'true' Ford Performance product.

ST models are considered 'enhanced' versions of existing models, whereas RS cars come in the 'high-performance bracket', meaning that they must outperform lesser models in the standard range by a certain amount in a number of objectifiable areas.

When asked whether Ford would consider making a 'high-performance' Fiesta (in other words, an RS), Tyrone said: "If there's a business case and if it's technically feasible." When pressed on whether he thought these criteria could be met, he said: "Theoretically, yes."

Johnson wouldn't be drawn on confirming any details of the new Focus RS, which is set for production and a launch at the Geneva motor show in March.However, he did confirm plans to launch a Powershift dual-clutch automatic version of the new Focus ST diesel model by the end of the year.

"It's something we're looking at closely, and it wouldn't be an issue to fit Powershift [to that engine]," he said. Such a car would rival dual-clutch versions of the Volkswagen Golf GTD and Skoda Octavia vRS.

However, fitting the 
dual-clutch gearbox to the petrol ST is much more of a challenge, Johnson revealed. It's "not impossible, but we'd need to be sure there's a business case", he said.
 


BoostBumps

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#3
New Ford Fiesta RS set for 2017 debut, and it could get 4WD

Sizzling 250bhp Ford Fiesta RS to take fight to Polo R

More "Rumor" Feeds (1/29/2015):

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/f...250bhp-ford-fiesta-rs-to-take-fight-to-polo-r

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...join-focus-rs-in-fords-hot-hatch-fleet-report

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/ford-working-on-even-hotter-fiesta-could-be-an-rs-91695.html

ford-fiesta-rs2_17_31_46.jpg

"New Ford Fiesta RS set for 2017 debut, and it could get 4WD

Ford has dropped its biggest hint yet that a ballistic Fiesta RS hot hatch will join the range in 2017.

Forming an integral part of the brand's plan to build 12 globally developed performance models by 2020, it's tipped to take on the Audi S1 and forthcoming VW Polo R, and will join the new Focus RS "revealed next week" at the most extreme end of the hot hatch spectrum."


ford-fiesta-rs2.jpg
 


TheStig

Senior Member
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#9
Im happy with 250HP 6 speed 4 door with AWD. I dont "need" it to be a 2 door, id be fine either way.

But good golly that would be a going machine.
 


BRGT350

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#10
AutoCar is one of the worst information sources.

3-door Fiesta in the US? Not a chance. The car needs to be recertified at a very large cost, plus changes to the NA assembly line.

AWD? Not likely. Cost and weight prohibative.

Significant price and performance overlap with the Focus ST. It doesn't fit a well positioned product in the portfolio.

No evidence of a Fiesta RS mule has ever been spotted. Mules show up about 1-2 years prior to release, unless the case of the Ford GT in which no mules were made in advance. Fiesta ST mules started showing up in 2011, Focus RS mules in early 2014. Fiesta chassis redesign due in a few years, so the Fiesta RS lifespan would be limited to a year. This has happened in the past, but it is unlikely you could build a buisness case to support all the development for a product with a year of sales.

My contacts have said for years that it would be either a Focus RS or Fiesta RS, but highly unlikely there would be both. The nod always going to the Focus RS with larger platform and higher price point.

I am putting up the BS flag until test mules or a reliable source can be found.
 


Messages
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Clarksville
#11
Notice the first line in the post.

Then notice the first line in the post after the picture.

1: NEW FIESTA RS PLANNED
2: NEW FIESTA RS /COULD/ BE PLANNED
So which is it!? Until I see the thing roll off the line and kick some ass then I'm not believing it.
 


lessard.dcj

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#12
it would be nice, but i am also smelling a hint o BS. now i can sleep better telling myself it was just a dream.
 


BoostBumps

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#15
yeah...I agree

I suspect we'll just see a typical mid-cycle cosmetic refresh with maybe a few hp added through a retune to attract more buyers...

Then again we saw similar rumors surface a few years prior to Ford getting serious about introducing the Focus RS to the US so it anyone's quess....
 


rooSTer

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#16
Automobile magazine picked up on the story too.[dunno]

Report: Ford Fiesta RS in Development Stages
http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1501-report-ford-fiesta-rs-in-development-stages/

Fresh on the heels of the revelation that the Ford Focus RS will make its way to the U.S., we're hearing yet another rumor that a wild Ford Fiesta RS will jump on the bandwagon. Ford has already confirmed that such a bandwagon will include at least 12 new models under the Ford Performance banner, and a possible Fiesta RS is as desirable as any of them.

The report comes to us from Autocar, in an interview with Ford Performance Tyrone Johnson. Johnson never outright says the words "Fiesta" and "RS" in succession, but he admits that the lovable Ford Fiesta ST is not the ceiling.

"There's more to come from the current Fiesta," Johnson told Autocar.

According to him, ST models are perceived as "enhanced" iterations of regular cars, while RS cars have to set themselves apart with a certain threshold of high-performance capability. Whatever Ford Performance is cooking up with the Fiesta, it will be based on the current chassis and likely due by mid-2017.
 


Pete

Active member
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#19
Must put all of my money into paying my ST off as quickly as possible :)
 


TheStig

Senior Member
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#20
I don't see this coming over to the US, its going to be difficult to price this.
FYI i do not think they can do this anymore, being that they combined the ST/SVT/RS lines to create a Global performance line, if they make a Fiesta RS itll be sold here.
 




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