New Ford XR4 Turbo!

[vztrt]

150kw.....

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...526-1f5i9.html

Exposed: New Ford XR4 Turbo
Jez Spinks
May 26, 2011 - 1:06PM



Fiesta hot-hatch spied testing as it prepares to take on Volkswagen's Polo GTI.

Drive spies have snapped the best pictures yet of the baby hot-hatch that will help to swell Ford Australia's range of sporty, XR-badged models.

The next-generation Fiesta ST, which in previous form was called the XR4 locally, has been spotted at Europe's favourite testing track - the Nurburgring in Germany.

Ford's smallest hot-hatch is switching from a normally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder to a smaller, 1.6-litre engine that gains performance through turbocharging.
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The engine is rumoured to produce about 150kW - 36 per cent more power than the old ST/XR4 - with a 0-100km/h sprint time anticipated in the 6.0- to 7.0-second bracket.

Our secret images confirm the fast Fiesta will feature an aggressively designed front end almost identical the 'face' of the new Focus ST due in early 2012 - including the gaping honeycomb-mesh grille, lower air intake and splitter.

The interior is also certain to gain sportier touches than regular Fiestas, and body-hugging Recaro bucket seats can be seen through the windows of the prototype car.

The previous XR4 was one of Australia's cheapest hot-hatches, priced from $24,990, and Ford Australia is likely to want to keep the new model competitive against rivals such as the $28,990 VW Polo GTI and forthcoming, circa-$26,990 Skoda Fabia vRS.

Ford Australia will face a badging conundrum for the new Fiesta and Focus hot-hatch models.

The company's XR naming strategy traditionally identifies different models by their cylinder counts, such as the six-cylinder XR6 and (currently discontinued) V8 XR8 Falcons.

The replacement for the Focus XR5 Turbo, however, is switching from a five-cylinder turbo engine to the same, four-cylinder turbo configuration - albeit with a bigger, 2.0-litre capacity.

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[dannyhilton]

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11331778

[GoesLikeAZetec]

150kw would make it a potent little rocket. is that too much power for the fronts though? I'd still buy it anyway hehe

[Fiesta_Man69]

Hopefully Aus will get the XR4 in 3 door (since the 3 dr has been dropped currently) and manual guise....

That should mean it would be about a grand less than the base Polo GTI which only comes with an auto gearbox (there are only 2 pedals - its an auto)

Big turn off for the Polo GTI is that real drivers can't buy a manual.

If they sell the thing for $25-26K driveaway, there will be a year long queue instantly.

[Spinner77]

Just my opinion, but I don't think a car is the right place to warn of the results of circumcisions gone wrong.

On the other hand, outsourcing design to allow more international participation, is the right thing to do.

It's wonderful to see this input from North Korea. Those attractive screws bolting the thing to the front were clearly inspired by tractor design.

[Franco Cozzo]

That has a face not even a mother could love.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

That has a face not even a mother could love.

Looks better then the new Focus.....but then looks are a subjective thing.

[Fi.ES.TA]

OMG! they cloned darth vadar.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Looks better then the new Focus.....but then looks are a subjective thing.

They (ST) are near identical.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by DJM83

They (ST) are near identical.

The headlights on the Fiesta look better and fixes the front end....well sorta.

[Bucknaked]

That does look nice. I wonder what they will retail for.

[In Focus]

I would think, as articles suggest, it's designed to knock out the Polo GTi. And I'd be willing to bet they'll get them in sufficient numbers that you won't be waiting forever. I couldn't be sure you won't have to wait a little while, though, if everyone starts wanting them...

[JClarke]

Awesome car, ugly shoes though....

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/17/f...e-nurburgring/

Spy Shots: Ford Fiesta ST drops some clothing on the Nürburgring

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Jun 17th 2011 at 4:01PM





Our sneaky spy shooters have once again trained their lenses on the upcoming Ford Fiesta ST testing at the 'Ring, only this time, the culprit was caught in a full five-door suit instead of the three-door hatch spied before.

Besides the additional bodystyle, the new hatch is sporting a new set of wheels that should be the standard hoops fitted to the Fiesta ST when it makes its official debut in late 2011. We also note some alterations to the fascia – instead of the large round lamps at the bottom corners, the ST prototype is wearing the same shapely chrome units as the standard Fiesta and a deeper chin spoiler with some camo-obscured ducting. Out back, the rear bumper's aero bits also seem to be reworked.

According to the latest rumors, a 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-four is mounted under the hood, routing 180 horsepower to the front wheels. If we were betting men, we'd wager this mule was caught without all its ST-spec clothes on. Have a look for yourself in the included image gallery.

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[Franco Cozzo]

It looks OK in black, but I still think the front:

[mondo_broady]

front will not look like that. it's camoflaged for sure... looks like a nice big IC though...