Ford saved one surprise for today: the Fiesta ST concept. It's a three-door hatchback, but Ford's director of global performance vehicles, Jost Capito, told Inside Line that a potential U.S.-spec production version would be a five-door hatchback. (The three-door body style is aimed at Europe, where Ford sold a Fiesta ST three-door in the previous generation.)
"We would do a five-door for the U.S., because the three-door is not sold in the U.S.," he told us, noting that the car would have to be built locally (well, in Mexico) in order for Ford to be able to price it affordably.
How affordably? Capito told us the Fiesta ST, which would use a turbocharged and direct-injected, 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder making 177 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, would be priced below the Mini Cooper S (which he says is more of a "premium" car) -- while targeting the Mini in performance. A six-speed manual gearbox would drive the hotter Fiesta's front wheels.
Capito insists there's room for a Fiesta hot hatch to slot in below the Focus family in the U.S., but no decision has yet been made for America or Europe. What do you think? Can Ford sell this car for a profit in the U.S.?
canuckrs says:
04:30 AM, 09/13/11
Personally I love it. I am really into the whole B segment, this is something that I think it really needs. Something along the lines of a "Honda Fit Si", "MazdaSpeed2" and as you see a Fiesta ST.
One thing I do not understand is why the North American markets are not given the option of a 3 door if they want it.
Either way, if and when Ford brings this thing over I will be taking it for a test drive no doubt.
clarence6 says:
05:22 AM, 09/13/11
Bring it! It's great to see Ford taking some risks and bringing European-level small cars to the USA.
devnix says:
07:39 AM, 09/13/11
I honestly would only like it in a 3-door, although I think the same way about the regular Fiesta. That being said, I would definitely opt for the SV if I was buying a Fiesta.
phontsolo says:
10:02 AM, 09/13/11
I just DO NOT understand why these car manufactures don't want to give us options. Bring both the 5 door and 3 door to the US. I DON'T UNDERSTAND the reasoning. Some of us want only 3 doors. For some of us 5 doors means NO SALE.
stovt001 says:
10:20 AM, 09/13/11
I'd be interested. As canuckrs said, bring on the Fit Si and Mazdaspeed2 while you're at it. Chevy looks like it is starting along those lines, though not quite all the way there, with the turbo engine in the Aveo replacement. I'd suggest a TRD-improved Yaris as well, but Toyota seems to be too scared/hesitant/incapable of bringing the FT-86 (or whatever they're calling it) to market so I don't have high hopes for anything fun from them for a while.
moorewr says:
10:43 AM, 09/13/11
It NEEDS to come here with three doors.
Why do car companies believe we Americans shouldn't have nice things? What's the business case that we will buy a hot hatch, but only with extra doors?
roadburner says:
07:31 PM, 09/13/11
It would have to be EXTREMELY inexpensive to tempt me to buy another FWD car.
eldaino2 says:
07:50 PM, 09/13/11
maybe the reasoning for 5 doors is the fact that ford thinks they are really onto something here.....
there is NO 3 door mazda 2, and the fit certainly isnt going 3 door anytime soon....
if honda and/or mazda jump on this bandwagon, i can see people opting for an si fit or mazdaspeed 2 simply due to the doors.
ford has got the right idea with the 5 door production model. too bad it will be just as tiny on the inside as the regular 5 door fiesta.
jayparry says:
10:10 PM, 09/13/11
I would love a 3-door Ken Block Edition that looks like this after mods - http://www.millteksport.com/media/custom/848.jpg come on Ford!
peartree1 says:
01:16 PM, 09/14/11
I would love this, 5-door and all. Focus is a bit bigger than I'd like. I really want a B-segment vehicle