The Ford Fiesta is the best-selling car of 2018 in the UK and the latest version of the hot hatch, the ST, is aiming to extend that popularity.
The US manufacturer released technical details on the ST this week, ahead of its impending launch to the British market and it’s sure to get the motor tech geeks salivating.
The most interesting aspect of the tech details are that the Fiesta ST has an optional limited-slip differential, which is a geared Automatic Torque Biasing (ATB) differential built by the UK’s Quaife.
There weren’t too many piston-freaks screaming out for an LSD in the old Fiesta ST, so it remains to be seen as to how the introduction of the tech will affect the drive of the new-look.
It’s not just limited to LSD though, there’s also the Launch control system, which with some nifty driving tricks will bring you an ‘optimised standing start’. It works by the driver putting their foot down, waiting for the engine speed to hold and once the car decides it is ready you put dump the clutch. This system is optional, which means that you are likely to pay a premium to get it included.
All new models of the Fiesta ST will definitely include the Ford ‘force vectoring springs, which according to Ford’s own blurb bring ‘vectoring forces to the rear suspension and enables cornering forces to travel directly into the spring, for increased lateral stiffness.’
The one change we were all expecting is the smaller 1.5-litre engine, which is one-step down from the 1.6 inline-four.
We expect to see driving reviews of the new Ford Fiesta ST in the coming weeks.