Earlier this year we asked you if Ford should make a super hot ‘RS’ version of the Fiesta to undercut the Focus RS. The majority of readers said they’d love to see Ford give its sensible supermini the RS treatment, and if new spy shots are indiciation, they just may get their wish.
A suspicious Fiesta prototype was spotted undergoing testing in Germany with flared front and rear fenders, a gaping wide mouth grille and a visible intercooler. Road & Track believes this is a Fiesta RS prototype undergoing tests before a planned debut in time for the 2017 model year, and we’re inclined to believe them.
According to the photographer, this Fiesta prototype was spotted alongside two camouflaged Focus RS prototypes, further hinting at its RS aspirations. Unlike the Focus RS, though, the Fiesta RS is expected to use an uprated version of the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine in the Fiesta ST and not Ford’s 320 horsepower 2.3-liter four-cylinder. It will also likely feature a six-speed manual transmission, overhauled suspension, a limited-slip differential and a widened track. It doesn’t seem likely it will be AWD, as that would require a thorough reworking of the Fiesta’s chassis, but it’s hard to say for sure this early on.
We no longer have any doubts Ford has a Fiesta RS in its performance product pipeline, but we’re not so sure us North Americans will ever see it. The supermini hatchback segment in North America is average at best, so we don’t think this niche offering would find very many American buyers. Check out the spy photos here, and let us know what you think in the comments.
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