Blast From The Past As XR2 Returns !
Guest
Posts: n/a
Blast From The Past As XR2 Returns !
Anyone remember those old XR2 's ? 
This thing looks pretty good, what do you think ?
It's time to dust off your baseball cap and dig out those old Duran Duran albums - the XR2 is back! Even Ford admits that the new Fiesta ST owes its existence to the Eighties hot hatch favourite, beloved of boy racers for nearly a quarter of a century.
The latest version debuts at next week's Geneva Motor Show, and will be at dealers by the end of the year. Blue oval bosses expect the cars to disappear so quickly they'll leave tyre marks!
The newcomer will be the first car to be badged simply 'ST'. Early indications were that Ford would call the hot Fiesta the ST150, in line with the ST170 and ST220 performance versions of the Focus and Mondeo. But the decision was taken to drop the numbers from the name to avoid confusion - and it suggests the hot hatch will be available with more than one power output.
At launch, however, the car will have the 150bhp 2.0-litre engine originally predicted. The Duratec unit is based on that of the Focus ST170, but has been detuned slightly to reduce torque steer in the lighter Fiesta bodyshell. Official performance figures will be revealed closer to the car's on-sale date, expected in October, but sources suggest the ST will accelerate from 0-60mph in less than eight seconds and have a top speed of near 130mph.
Ford insiders say the handling set-up is still being finalised, but the firm's testers have been using a Focus RS :o as a benchmark when driving the car at the Lommel proving ground in Belgium. Thanks to its agile chassis, the Fiesta's lap times are said to be nearly on a par with those of the rally-bred Focus, so it should deliver real on-road thrills. :o
Externally, the ST can be distinguished from lesser Fiestas thanks to its wide mesh grille, integrated foglamps, chunky bumpers and discreet side skirts. Smart 17-inch 11-spoke alloys will be fitted as standard, while a small roof spoiler completes the package.
Inside, the newcomer boasts half-leather sports seats embroidered with ST logos, a leather-bound steering wheel and metal foot pedals, along with aluminium-effect finishing on the door handles and gearknob.
This thing looks pretty good, what do you think ?
It's time to dust off your baseball cap and dig out those old Duran Duran albums - the XR2 is back! Even Ford admits that the new Fiesta ST owes its existence to the Eighties hot hatch favourite, beloved of boy racers for nearly a quarter of a century.
The latest version debuts at next week's Geneva Motor Show, and will be at dealers by the end of the year. Blue oval bosses expect the cars to disappear so quickly they'll leave tyre marks!
The newcomer will be the first car to be badged simply 'ST'. Early indications were that Ford would call the hot Fiesta the ST150, in line with the ST170 and ST220 performance versions of the Focus and Mondeo. But the decision was taken to drop the numbers from the name to avoid confusion - and it suggests the hot hatch will be available with more than one power output.
At launch, however, the car will have the 150bhp 2.0-litre engine originally predicted. The Duratec unit is based on that of the Focus ST170, but has been detuned slightly to reduce torque steer in the lighter Fiesta bodyshell. Official performance figures will be revealed closer to the car's on-sale date, expected in October, but sources suggest the ST will accelerate from 0-60mph in less than eight seconds and have a top speed of near 130mph.
Ford insiders say the handling set-up is still being finalised, but the firm's testers have been using a Focus RS :o as a benchmark when driving the car at the Lommel proving ground in Belgium. Thanks to its agile chassis, the Fiesta's lap times are said to be nearly on a par with those of the rally-bred Focus, so it should deliver real on-road thrills. :o
Externally, the ST can be distinguished from lesser Fiestas thanks to its wide mesh grille, integrated foglamps, chunky bumpers and discreet side skirts. Smart 17-inch 11-spoke alloys will be fitted as standard, while a small roof spoiler completes the package.
Inside, the newcomer boasts half-leather sports seats embroidered with ST logos, a leather-bound steering wheel and metal foot pedals, along with aluminium-effect finishing on the door handles and gearknob.
Escort Connoisseur
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
they need to bring over the cossie escort bleh!
__________________
"Genuine" ASE certified Mazda, Hyundai, Isuzu Technician
Escort Enthusiast Site
Automotive Electrical Specialist, Tuning Specialist
"Genuine" ASE certified Mazda, Hyundai, Isuzu Technician
Escort Enthusiast Site
Automotive Electrical Specialist, Tuning Specialist
drives euro trash
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 7,036
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by EsCoRtLvR
they need to bring over the cossie escort bleh!
they need to bring over the cossie escort bleh!
I doubt we'd ever see the Fiesta over here. Sweet little car though.
__________________
Escort Connoisseur
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd rather have a Sport KA hheheh evil
__________________
"Genuine" ASE certified Mazda, Hyundai, Isuzu Technician
Escort Enthusiast Site
Automotive Electrical Specialist, Tuning Specialist
"Genuine" ASE certified Mazda, Hyundai, Isuzu Technician
Escort Enthusiast Site
Automotive Electrical Specialist, Tuning Specialist
