Ford 2011 Fiesta ST/XR4

[MISTA FIESTA]

FORD’S B-segment babies, the Fiesta hatch and sedan, are just the first developments in a model line that will give the company unprecedented global coverage.

At one end of the spectrum will be a hot hatch version to replace the late and lamented WQ Fiesta XR4, while a stylish Euro crossover, cheap multi-seater people-mover and maybe even a B-segment compact SUV will live at the other.

Whether Australia will be in line to see any of the upcoming models beyond the sportier Fiesta hatch is up in the air.

A terse “we cannot comment on future model developments” came from Ford’s engineering department, but speculation is rife that the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January or the Geneva motor show a few weeks later will mark the revival of the performance Fiesta ST.

Rumours suggest a 1.6-litre turbo-charged Ecoboost four-cylinder petrol engine – mated to either a six-speed manual or Powershift dual-clutch gearbox – will underpin the latter-day Fiesta XR4.

Ford Australia sales and marketing boss David Katic would not speculate on the existence of a go-faster Fiesta in the works, but did admit that he “… would love to see a car like that” for Australia.

[dannyhilton]

Slow news day. Reshashed information, they forgot to mention the Fiesta CC which is in development, and showed a picture of a modified Fiesta from the US Fiesta Movement. Yarn. Only a year or so and we'll be able to see the efforts of the Fiesta ST however!

[JClarke]

If they slap a sunroof on the ST and if it is coming to australia - I'm buying.

[jorgo86]

I really doubt they will bring it to Oz, even if they get around to making it.

Pity, with the WS chassis and 1.6l turbo meaning great tuning opportunities, it would be an absolutely awesome hot hatch! If they did bring it to Oz, i would definately buy it!!!

[fiestars]

if it does make it here i wonder if it will becalled xr4 i hear thats what the new performance focus will be called, hope it comes with a 3 door model

[shroomies49]

Xr3 just doesn't sound right .. LOL

[fiestars]

lol hmmm maybe xr2?

[jorgo86]

They will not break their current xr naming convention. My money's on both being xr4 (if they ever get around to making another fiesta xr4...)

[photn]

There's an xr5 mondeo and an xr5 focus. There is no reason there can't be an xr4 focus. What would be interesting to see would be ford aus putting the ps figures after the naming convention. But I doubt that will happen.

[Mad_Aussie]

Those wheels... wow!