From a drivers perspective FWD is much better to learn and push on a track/stage. Many drivers start on a lightweight FWD platform to develop their skills for AWD.
I think the next-gen ST formula has already been out in the world for a while behold the Fiesta R2, FWD, LSD, using the 1.0. Of course it will need some polishing and with creature comforts added back in it will probaly weigh just as much as the current gen, but coupled with an LSD, 6-speed with the gearing out of the ST200, or even a race-oriented 5-speed, which shouldn't hurt the mpg much given that it is mated to the 1.0, and that a 6 speed would require shifting all the time with the less torque.
Released last year, and costs around 55,000-60,000 built. A kit by itself is about 30,000 if you already have a 12,000$ Fiesta 1.0 and includes all this:
Rollcage Kit; Welded Items Kit; Bonnet & Boot Pin Kit; Engine Mounting
Kit Water/Air, Gearbox Cooler Kit; Engine Kit; Air Intake Kit;
Exhaust System Kit; Sequential Gearbox Kit; Gearchange
Kit; Driveshaft Kit; Clutch Kit; Steering Kit; Tarmac or Gravel
Brake Kit; Brake Upgrade Kit; Hydraulic Handbrake Kit;
Front Suspension Upgrade Kit; Tarmac or Gravel Damper
Kit; Tarmac or Gravel Spring Kit; Rear Beam Upgrade Kit;
Auxiliary Wiring Loom Kit; Engine Management Kit; Battery
Kit; Cooling Kit; FIA Fuel Cell; Interior Panel Kit; Seats &
Restraints Kit; Demisting Kit; Fire Extinguisher Kit; Spare
Wheel Strap Kit; Co-Driver Footrest Kit; Windscreen
Washer Kit; Fuel Tank / Crossmember Guards and 6mm
Sumpguard Kit.
None of which we really need.
The ST would only need basics which already on the current-gen, drop them into a 1.0 Fiesta, and voila, probably what Ford will do.
http://www.m-sport.co.uk/motorsport/rallying/m-sport-the-cars/fiesta-r2-details/technical-specification
https://www.m-sport.co.uk/images/New_R2_Sales_Document_v6_2.pdf
Also this video kinda of pits the 1.0 vs the R2. But you can really see how much an LSD makes a difference in turning and accelerating.
[video=youtube;8A-xDJ7BJak]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A-xDJ7BJak[/video]
I think the next-gen ST formula has already been out in the world for a while behold the Fiesta R2, FWD, LSD, using the 1.0. Of course it will need some polishing and with creature comforts added back in it will probaly weigh just as much as the current gen, but coupled with an LSD, 6-speed with the gearing out of the ST200, or even a race-oriented 5-speed, which shouldn't hurt the mpg much given that it is mated to the 1.0, and that a 6 speed would require shifting all the time with the less torque.
Released last year, and costs around 55,000-60,000 built. A kit by itself is about 30,000 if you already have a 12,000$ Fiesta 1.0 and includes all this:
Rollcage Kit; Welded Items Kit; Bonnet & Boot Pin Kit; Engine Mounting
Kit Water/Air, Gearbox Cooler Kit; Engine Kit; Air Intake Kit;
Exhaust System Kit; Sequential Gearbox Kit; Gearchange
Kit; Driveshaft Kit; Clutch Kit; Steering Kit; Tarmac or Gravel
Brake Kit; Brake Upgrade Kit; Hydraulic Handbrake Kit;
Front Suspension Upgrade Kit; Tarmac or Gravel Damper
Kit; Tarmac or Gravel Spring Kit; Rear Beam Upgrade Kit;
Auxiliary Wiring Loom Kit; Engine Management Kit; Battery
Kit; Cooling Kit; FIA Fuel Cell; Interior Panel Kit; Seats &
Restraints Kit; Demisting Kit; Fire Extinguisher Kit; Spare
Wheel Strap Kit; Co-Driver Footrest Kit; Windscreen
Washer Kit; Fuel Tank / Crossmember Guards and 6mm
Sumpguard Kit.
None of which we really need.
The ST would only need basics which already on the current-gen, drop them into a 1.0 Fiesta, and voila, probably what Ford will do.
http://www.m-sport.co.uk/motorsport/rallying/m-sport-the-cars/fiesta-r2-details/technical-specification
https://www.m-sport.co.uk/images/New_R2_Sales_Document_v6_2.pdf
Also this video kinda of pits the 1.0 vs the R2. But you can really see how much an LSD makes a difference in turning and accelerating.
[video=youtube;8A-xDJ7BJak]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A-xDJ7BJak[/video]