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2017 Ford Fiesta RS Spied for the First Time

Anybody who's driven a Ford Fiesta ST knows the little devil could easily do with an RS treatment. The Blue Oval hasn't officially confirmed the model yet, but the recent sighting of a Fiesta mule in the company of two Focus RS units still wearing camo raises our hopes.
2017 Ford Fiesta RS spyshots 13 photos
Photo: Carpix
2017 Ford Fiesta RS spyshots2017 Ford Fiesta RS spyshots2017 Ford Fiesta RS spyshots2017 Ford Fiesta RS spyshots2017 Ford Fiesta RS spyshots2017 Ford Fiesta RS spyshots2017 Ford Fiesta RS spyshots2017 Ford Fiesta RS spyshots2017 Ford Fiesta RS spyshots2017 Ford Fiesta RS spyshots2017 Ford Fiesta RS spyshots2017 Ford Fiesta RS spyshots
Ford Performance plans a serious high-octane assault, with 12 new global go-fast performance set to land by 2020. Make that 11, since the 350 PS, AWD Focus RS is already among us. While the stage has been set for the Fiesta RS to show up, engineers aren't rushing with the development, since the hot hatch is expected to land in 2017 (late 2016 is also a possibility).

The drivers of the upcoming RS model will be experiencing quite a rush though. The ST already offers superb responsiveness and boy oh boy will the RS be a step forward.

The 1.6-liter turbocharged engine is here to stay, but instead of 200 PS (197 HP), things will be turned all the way up to 250 PS. The driver will continue to be treated with three pedals, but don't expect the good news to also spread further down the drivetrain.

Many dream about the Fiesta RS following its big brother down the AWD route, but that's not too likely. First of all, pricing has been one of the key aspects of the Fiesta ST and the level of technology employed by Ford Performance would require serious hardware, which would upset the final price of the car.

Then there's the cannibalization risk - Ford obviously has a plan for preventing such issues, but all-wheel drive would give the Fiesta a serious edge over the Focus ST.

The 250 hp Fiesta will battle it out with the Volkswagen Polo R and the Audi S1 despite the Germans' all-wheel drive. As for its closest FWD competitor, the 2015 Renault Clio RS 220 Trophy that debuted in Geneva will receive that role.

PS: Fiesta ST fans must not fret, their favorite hot hatch will get a refresh until the RS arrives at the end of the current-generation Fiesta's life cycle.
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About the author: Andrei Tutu
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In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist.
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