If you’ve ever been tempted by the Fiesta ST but found the three-door bodystyle just too impractical, Ford has just announced a five-door version will be available for the first time in the UK.
You may have seen pictures similar to these before, that’s because the Fiesta ST is already sold as a five-door-only version in the US market. With increased demand for a five-door model in Europe, Ford has introduced this version as a final hurrah before the current Fiesta range is replaced entirely early in 2017.
“Ford has now sold more than 38,000 Fiesta STs in Europe since we introduced the acclaimed hot hatchback in 2013, and growing numbers of customers have been asking us for a five-door version,” said Roelant de Waard, Ford of Europe’s sales and marketing vice president.
Sold alongside the current three-door-only model, the extra rear doors should present an answer to young families wanting a compact hot hatch with easier access to the rear seats. Ford predicts the five-door Fiesta ST will account for 25 percent of Fiesta ST sales in Europe.
Performance will remain the same as the three-door model, meaning the 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine produces 182hp and accelerates from 0-62mph in an identical 6.9 seconds.
Fuel economy takes a minor dip from the three-door model dropping from 47.8mpg to 46.3mpg, while CO2 emissions climb from 138g/km to 141g/km.
The tuned chassis also mirrors the three-door model’s meaning a 15mm-lowered and stiffened suspension set-up, all-round disc brakes and three-mode Electronic Stability Control.
The five-door model will only be available on ST-2 and ST-3 models, meaning all five-door STs will come with 17-inch alloy wheels, part-leather sports seats, tinted rear windows, Sony DAB radio and full exterior bodykit. The five-door Fiesta ST will be in dealerships from October 2016 with a starting price of £19,495 and will be available in five colours – including the popular Spirit Blue.
The limited-run Fiesta ST200 will remain a three-door option only.
