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THIS FEISTY LITTLE number is the third-generation Ford Fiesta ST, which has finally been shown ahead of its global public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.
The next‑generation Fiesta ST will deliver 200hp, 290Nm of torque and anticipated acceleration of 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds.
The big news here is that this ST will be the first ever Ford Performance model powered by a three-cylinder engine.
Yup, that’s right, a three-cylinder in a hot hatch – and if anyone can make that work, Ford can. This new 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine replaces the 1.6-litre four-cylinder of old, and it features a cylinder deactivation system to further reduce CO2 emissions to 114g/km, down from 140g/km.
This means the system can disengage one cylinder in super quick time to run on two cylinders and go easy on the juice when full capacity is not needed, such as when coasting or cruising with light demand on the engine.
It is also the first Fiesta ST to feature selectable Drive Modes – enabling engine, steering and stability controls to be configured to Normal, Sport and Track settings for an optimised driving experience, much like the Focus RS.
Drive Modes will also adjust Fiesta ST’s Electronic Sound Enhancement (ESE) technology and active exhaust noise control valve – basically fake engine noise will be piped into the cabin, though a baffle in the exhaust does increase the naturally sporty sound of the new 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine when in Sport mode.
Also fitted is Torque Vectoring Control which aids road holding and reduces understeer by applying brake force to the inside front wheel when cornering.
The new ST will be offered as a three-door or five-door. Ford says the ST will offer more personalisation options than before and external styling features including a unique race-car-inspired mesh grille and exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels.
The car gets its public debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show and goes on sale in 2018. You can check out this pocket rocket in action in the hands of Irish WRC driver Toni Kelly in this video.
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So they’re looking at quantative easing, which was absolutely out of the question to give the gullible Irlanders a dig out for saving their currency and banks, but as soon as Germanys economy slows down it full staem ahead with the QE quicker than you can say ‘I have sauerkraut in my lederhosen’.
Do I have to mention the ‘seismic shift’? If it can’t be secured now, it was a lie all along.
Unemployment still way too high, property bubble on the horizon, thousands of mortgage arrears still not being dealt with, water charges on the way to compliment all the other extra taxes introduced over the last few years, banks still restricting credit and the national debt is as high as it ever was. “Sure we’ll be grand”.
And you forgot the interest rates that will have to go up at some point. That’s going to be the real killer for Ireland
2008 was nothing. It was caused by banking debt. Now we enter a period where sh!t is about to hit the fan with SOVEREIGN debt.
When banks crash, some people lose their jobs.
When countries crash, everybody loses their life savings along with their jobs.
Quantative easing devalues savings so it’s not in the interest of Germany, a country of savers. I’m sure Germany will continue to resist it – as they should as it makes us all poorer.
George what property bubble , that is government spin, europe is an asylum doctored by Germany because the EC bank is there.
She lifted her skirt and we were amazed to see that she was a “he”. ;-)
The same story is being spun here in Spain. The economy is on the up but with nearly 6 million unemployed it is not having any effect. In august alone the nearly 300,000 people have had their dole cut off, at least a million families have all members on the dole, so they can paint all the pictures the want but the next ten years will be bleak
“Ireland: The recovery is on track but almost six years after the economic bust, fantasy economics endure.” http://www.finfacts.ie/irishfinancenews/article_1028114.shtml
Bigmac it is all lies I watch a financial banker from Germany talk on Bloomberg this afternoon. Nothing changed Germany does not see the rest of Europe as being significant or allowed any point of view. Their business sector fears if this changes the german economy will collaspe. I guess we are told this lies in Ireland because of are impending auster budget in October and an election in February 2016.
Ireland had enough our politicians know this and our growth is slowing european growth is at 0.2% not healthy because Spain and Ireland will be dragged down once again with Europe.
sure that was the situation in 07.If Europe goes down so does Ireland. If interest rates go up, Ireland goes down. “We” are living the American dream, one pay cheque from being kicked out on the street
doesnt it feel like theres an election on the way with all this spin.
Come on you boys in Green, the rest of Europe will again look upon us with the respect we deserve for our astute economic genius! Everybody go home and treat yourself to a bottle of champagne.
FFS ,?Ted r u on white powder,?
He’s on a drug called “Understanding the concept of irony”.
“Ireland steams ahead” pfft
This all sounds very familiar
Unbelievably familiar..
Yay Thursday nites on the lash are back on the cards! !
So how long will Ireland steam ahead for if its European market is dead in the water?
In your face, Europe.
US multinationals are the key drivers of Ireland’s economy, so no worries, for the moment at least. It’s a case of steady as she goes!
Our 12.5 % Corporation Tax rate; being the only English speaking country in the Euro Zone; and the excellent work of Enterprise Ireland, is what’s keeping the Yankee Dollar Investments flowing Ireland’s way. Hopefully, no major changes emerge to US corporation tax rules that might change the dynamic for FDI from there to Ireland.
If Germany okays QE, it will be to suit its own interests, and nobody else’s. But this will also suit Ireland big time. As David McWilliams says “start those printing presses”
Putin’s antics must really have messed up Germany as well as Russia’s own economy given the olive branches being held out today regarding Ukraine.
Common sense always returns when billionaires get around a table.
Such shite
Oh, isn’t that nice. JP Morgan (settled a fraud case brought by the US Justice Department for 13 billion USD) is predicitng the ECB moves. Meanwhile, the ECB hires Blackrock Financial (charged with securities fraud by the New York Attorney General) to provide advice as it ” as it thrashes out the final design of its plan, including how much, which assets, and what ranking of bonds it will buy.”
You can’t make this stuff up. What the hell are we doing in this monetary system that is run by fraudsters?
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