By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(March 25, 2018) Unfortunately buyers in the U.S. can’t buy the latest Fiesta. Which means the Fiesta ST, one of the most fun-loving Ford cars ever made, goes away as well. So what are we missing? As it turns out, a lot.

The 2018 Fiesta ST will offer a Quaife limited-slip differential, a revised torque vectoring system that works by applying the inside front brake while cornering, directionally-wound non-interchangeable “force vectoring” springs on the twist-beam rear suspension that eliminate the need for a heavy Watt’s linkage, twin-tube front and monotube rear Tenneco dampers with frequency-dependent damping, and optional launch control.

It doesn’t stop there. The new ST also has selectable drive models (Normal, Sport, Track), a unique steering knuckle design, a special electric power steering calibration with a quick 12:1 ratio, vented 11-in. front and solid 10-in. rear brake discs, and a distinctive combination of seat back angle and seat base tilt adjustment.

Under the hood, the 1.6-liter EcoBoost four has been replaced by Ford’s 1.5-liter EcoBoost triple. It produces 197 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, and 214 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,600 to 4,400 rpm.

This gives it the power to sprint from 0-62 mph in 6.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 144 mph. And, in case you missed the suggestion of frugality that comes with losing a cylinder and 100 cc, the engine also is fitted with stop-start, a cylinder deactivation system, and both port and direct fuel injection.

The Virtual Driver