Ford 2011 Fiesta ST/XR4

[MISTA FIESTA]

FORD’S B-segment babies, the Fiesta hatch and sedan, are just the first developments in a model line that will give the company unprecedented global coverage.

At one end of the spectrum will be a hot hatch version to replace the late and lamented WQ Fiesta XR4, while a stylish Euro crossover, cheap multi-seater people-mover and maybe even a B-segment compact SUV will live at the other.

Whether Australia will be in line to see any of the upcoming models beyond the sportier Fiesta hatch is up in the air.

A terse “we cannot comment on future model developments” came from Ford’s engineering department, but speculation is rife that the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January or the Geneva motor show a few weeks later will mark the revival of the performance Fiesta ST.

Rumours suggest a 1.6-litre turbo-charged Ecoboost four-cylinder petrol engine – mated to either a six-speed manual or Powershift dual-clutch gearbox – will underpin the latter-day Fiesta XR4.

Ford Australia sales and marketing boss David Katic would not speculate on the existence of a go-faster Fiesta in the works, but did admit that he “… would love to see a car like that” for Australia.