It will have an MSRP of £15,000 in the UK, the only market in which it will be available. Still powered by the same 150-horsepower 2.0L four-banger, the ST500 also features the suspension and steering tweaks that make this car such a blast on B roads.

Presumably the Roush/Mountune engine upgrades will also fit here, allowing 165- and 185-horsepower options for those who find the stock 150 unsatisfactory. Those poking their heads inside will also spot a new Sony audio system, as well as ebony leather heated seats and faux fiber trim.

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Already we have seen positive reviews of the Fiesta across the ocean where consumers are happy to pay the money they want for quality. Yet, we have to admit that when it comes to the U.S we have to be more picky with what we pay out.

Ford will comply with a starting price under $15,000. A lot of amenities that make a car exciting for the next generation of car buyers puts a dent in the MSRP, but Ford is working with suppliers to create great looking, high-quality materials that don’t break the bank. The Blue Oval will also likely offer a full range of options that can push the price-point over $20,000 for those of us with a bigger budget and a strong desire to achieve 40 mpg on the highway.

Right now the B-segment isn’t exactly bursting with great products, and only the sporty Honda Fit and more expensive Mini have stood out in the crowd. The Fiesta will surely add some soul to the competition, but even at a mere $15,000, it’ll be priced at top of the segment. If Ford can deliver on everything it has been promising, however, we’re sure there will be more than just 16-29 year-olds that will be more than happy to pay $15k and more.

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The US auto major, that does not command a good share in the Indian auto market, is gearing up for a larger play as it pumps in a fresh $500 million to enter the volume-driven small car segment and construct a fully-integrated and flexible engine manufacturing plant by 2010.

Boneham stated that Ford is making plans to enlarge the distribution network ahead of the small car launch date. He went on to say that the company might be planning to release more than one model in this particular segment.

He said Ford would be staying true to a policy of integration of its local operations with global vehicle platforms. “Ford is changing perspective towards global platforms. We are looking at global platforms to make them part of the India strategy,” he said.

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It is obvious that Ford derived its design and look for the Fiesta from the Verve concept. Ford showed off the three door Fiesta in the green color and the five foor in the magenta color. We have heard rumors that the American production version will be a four door sedan.

This new Ford Fiesta was bigger and better than what we had hoped for. It is definitely one of the better replacements that Ford has built. They have combined the right style with the power of a typical consumer vehicle making it perfect for your average working American.

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Unique overhead stripes are available as an option and complement XR4’s enhanced performance ability. “In keeping with its performance pedigree, Fiesta XR4 will only be available in the three-door body style with a five-speed manual transmission,” said Mr Gorman. Fiesta XR4 is the second high performance vehicle in the Ford Australia line-up to come from Ford’s TeamRS organisation.

It will be joining the stunning Focus XR5 Turbo that redefined the term ‘hot hatch’ when it was launched last year. “The new XR4 is more than just a badge, it is a whole new performance and design concept devised by TeamRS as an ongoing part of its road car programme,” explained Jost Capito, TeamRS Director. “The new Fiesta XR4 encapsulates the spirit of ‘fun to drive’ and aims to bring out the enthusiast in every driver, while being enjoyable to live with as an everyday car.”

In addition to the powerful and sporty 2.0-litre Duratec engine, Fiesta’s highly acclaimed chassis has been modified to deliver class-leading handling and roadholding for the XR4, with a stiffer rear twist beam and revised spring and damper tuning. Steering is quicker acting and braking performance has been improved, with larger diameter and ventilated front discs, as well as the addition of rear disc brakes, fitted for the first time on Fiesta. The XR4 features a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission with a new, short-throw gearshift for ultra-fast, precise gear changes.

Fiesta XR4 looks the part too, with an XR5 Turbo-style front bumper treatment that incorporates a deeper air intake and chrome-ringed fog lamps, a bespoke sports rear bumper, discrete side skirts and a functional rear roof spoiler to complement its low stance. Handsome multi-spoke alloy wheels with low profile Pirelli P-Zero tyres complete the package to create a bold, performance look.

Inside, the cabin has also been given the XR4 treatment, with unique front sports seats trimmed in black leather with bold red or blue cloth centre sections. XR4 interior detailing includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel with aluminium centre spoke, unique leather gear shift knob with satin aluminium insert and red graphics, sports pedals and XR4 branded scuff plates.

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Sold as performance for the common man, each big-selling range had an XR or RS model sat at the top of the tree. All was well and decent performance was accessible to all and we took such things for granted.

Fast forward to the nineties where the proliferation of car crime and joy riding began to ring alarm bells with the insurance companies. By the mid nineties insurance premiums had deterred all but the most ardent hot hatch fan and Ford had to kill the XR and RS lines in the face of the harshest market conditions. We were left with the relatively tame Si moniker being the token offering for the enthusiast.

It took quite a while for Ford to regain its confidence enough to launch an ST product line, and almost a decade for those wounds to sufficiently heal to make the company feel confident enough to give us the harder edged Focus RS. That was a real image booster for Ford and a showcase of their Special Vehicle Team’s intent to provide genuinely desirable.

Here we have the Team’s latest baby, the new Fiesta ST150, a range topper from the old school promising thrills and pace for a sensible price. The vehicle does not exactly conceal its light under a bushel, with bright red paint and GT aping white stripes over the upper and side surfaces ensuring that everyone takes a second look.

Luckily Ford has acknowledged the horses for courses aspect of such things and one can specify whether one wants the optional extra stripes and if so, which ones. Other than that the ST is a fairly soberly tweaked Fiesta with beefed up bumpers, spoilers and sills to increase the road presence along with the obligatory 17-inch multi-spoke rims.

This is where things get a little interesting; the17-inch rims wear some fairly serious rubber, not just in terms of size, but also in terms of purpose. Pirelli P-Zero Nero are normally to be found adorning more exotic machinery; their appearance here is very much a signal of intent.

Ironically, the high level of competence has one wishing for a little more power; 150bhp isn’t much in modern hot hatches, but the fact you can whip every one of the 150 is a pleasure. The gearbox contains closely stacked ratios accessed through a slick and precise change.

The steering is nice and feelsome too, only heavily contoured or broken surfaces bring a hint of tramlining thanks to those big tires. Needless to say the roomy and spacious cabin is carried over from the regular Fiesta with few cosmetic changes; no bad thing.

Rear accommodation isn’t overly generous, but isn’t as cramped as some of the rival offerings. It’s clean and clinical but functional and easy to use as well. One may question whether ultimately this is befitting of a £14k+ car, but at the end of the day the money has been spent under the skin, where it works most effectively as far as the enthusiast is concerned.

It harks back to old school hatches that were fun and involving. Ultimately it has few weaknesses, though one is a lack of outright pace and grunt, and the other is the price. The car came to around £16,000 with the extras. This leaves it exposed to very unforgiving sharks in the dangerous hot hatch waters, most noticeably the Renault Clio 182.

Hardcore enthusiasts will be drawn to the Clio because it at least matches the ST150 in all dynamic aspects, although it can’t match the interior comfort of the ST150. For many though the Fiesta will possess enough pace, and the pin sharp handling and looks will satisfy their sporting urges.

Fans of the blue oval rejoice, for you have a new junior hot hatch hero to aspire to. Many new fans will be converted by the Fiesta ST150 as well. It bodes very well for the forthcoming Focus ST.

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