Ford Fiesta RS rumoured with 246bhp for 2017 launch
Reports suggest Ford is considering a Fiesta RS with 246bhp to mark the model’s 40th anniversary, but the company has yet to confirm any production plans.
Ford is reportedly weighing up a Fiesta RS hot hatch for a possible 2017 launch, with power output rumoured at 246bhp. The speculation, emerging from German media, suggests the car would arrive in time for the Fiesta’s 40th anniversary. Ford has not confirmed the project or released any official details.
The Fiesta RS would sit above the current Fiesta ST, which uses a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 197bhp. Reports claim the RS would use a further-developed version of this engine, targeting 246bhp. This would place the Fiesta RS among the most powerful cars in its class, challenging rivals like the Renault Clio RS and Peugeot 208 GTi.
While the Focus RS has adopted all-wheel drive, sources indicate the Fiesta RS would likely remain front-wheel drive to keep costs in check. The platform and price point make a four-wheel-drive system improbable, despite the performance gains it could offer. The car is expected to feature a more aggressive body kit, uprated suspension, and larger brakes, following the pattern set by the Focus RS.
Position in Ford’s performance line-up
Ford Performance, the division tasked with developing the company’s high-performance models, is in the midst of expanding its range. The Focus RS, F-150 Raptor, Mustang Shelby GT350 and new Ford GT are all confirmed projects. The potential addition of a Fiesta RS would broaden the line-up and offer a smaller, lighter alternative to the Focus RS. Ford has stated it plans to introduce more than a dozen performance vehicles in the coming years, but has not commented specifically on the Fiesta RS.
- Focus RS: 345bhp, all-wheel drive
- Fiesta ST: 197bhp, front-wheel drive
- Rumoured Fiesta RS: 246bhp, likely front-wheel drive
Timing and uncertainty
If the Fiesta RS is approved, a 2017 launch would coincide with the nameplate’s 40th anniversary. Ford has not denied the possibility, but no prototype sightings or official teasers have surfaced. The company’s European division has previously used anniversaries to introduce special models, but as of January 2016, the Fiesta RS remains unconfirmed and speculative.
