Ford Fiesta ST with 200hp at L.A. Auto Show

"This is a rewarding car to rev," says Mark Roberts, Fiesta calibration supervisor. "With 177 lb.- ft. of torque available from just 1,600 rpm and 214 lb.-ft. by 3,500 rpm, Ford Fiesta ST gives the performance and feel of an engine twice its size. There's no waiting at all for the power to just push you back in your seat."

P.R.:Small cars continue to be a hot segment in North America and with the new Ford Fiesta ST, introduced at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, Ford is expected to have the hottest hatch around. Ford Fiesta ST, a performance model first launched in Europe back in 2005, is yet another proof point from Ford that small cars are anything but boring. In addition to a precision sport-tuned suspension and an improved braking system, Ford Fiesta ST packs a punch under the hood.

A new high-output variant of the award-winning 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine propels Ford Fiesta ST with an estimated 197 horsepower and 214 lb.-ft. of torque. In comparison, Mini Cooper S makes do with 181 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft., while Chevrolet Sonic RS produces just 138 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft.

Unlike the competition, Ford Fiesta ST doesn't simply look like a performance car; it's got the guts to back it up.

Ford Fiesta ST may be born with racing DNA, but buyers won't have to pay for that performance at the pump. Available exclusively as a five-door hatchback in North America and with a six-speed manual transmission, Ford Fiesta ST is projected to achieve up to 34 mpg.

This compact performance machine sports a unique grille and chin spoiler with new rear diffuser and fascia extensions. Bright tipped dual-exhaust pipes and high-mount spoiler along with unique 17-inch wheels complete the visual package: Ford Fiesta ST looks like it's made for the racetrack. The car is first of its nameplate to receive the Molten Orange tri-coat metallic paint.

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Ford Fiesta ST steering is more direct and responsive than the base model. A unique suspension with modified front knuckle makes for a quicker overall steering ratio of 13.6:1.

The rear axle gets increased roll stiffness to improve stability through fast corners, while the Ford Fiesta ST body sits 15 millimeters closer to the ground than the base model.

Increased mechanical grip provided by the suspension improvements is further enhanced with electronic Torque Vectoring Control to reduce understeer during hard cornering maneuvers. Three-mode electronic stability control - standard, sport or off - enables the ST driver to select the amount of electronic aid based on current conditions. Overall, Ford Fiesta ST provides enthusiastic drivers with the ideal mix of performance handling and ride comfort.

Ford Fiesta ST will also sound good on the open road. It features the mechanical version of the sound symposer first used on the Focus ST, which went on sale in North America in 2012, to provide an enhanced soundtrack for drivers out tackling the open road. It is unique for Fiesta in that for the first time the engine sound is directly fed into the passenger cabin to accentuate feedback quality and response.

Ford Fiesta ST is the result of the combined efforts of Team RS in Europe and SVT in the United States.