The new Ford Fiesta ST has been spotted testing at the Nurburgring. The long-awaited hot hatchback perhaps holds the best hopes of taking the fight to Renaultsport’s class-leading Clio 200.

With a chassis that has always been beyond the capabilities of its engines, the pictures show an intercooler connected to what is expected to be a 1.6-litre, EcoBoost direct-injection turbocharged four-pot. It should produce in the region of 200bhp, a 50bhp hike over the previous Fiesta ST which was off the pace of its rivals a little.

Sporting an aggressive grille similar to that of the new Ford Focus ST, the front end looks more aggressive. The car sports lowered, stiffer suspension and upgraded brakes, and while this test car looks much like a Fiesta Zetec S at the rear, the production version should boast a widened track, bigger wheelarches, larger rear spoiler and a new rear diffuser.  

The Fiesta is now a world car and has received acclaim in the USA, especially from the performance car enthusiasts. Ken Block may have something to do with that...

Can we expect a Fiesta RS down the line? Ford has investigated the idea before and decided against it. If the ST succeeds that may change, especially with the Fiesta proving to be a competitive rally car.

Ken Block’s Gymkhana 3 video in a Fiesta

Fast Ford Fiesta group test

Ford Fiesta Zetec S versus its rivals