Spy Shots: 2012 Ford Fiesta ST ready to back up its big brother

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Hatchback, Ford

2012 Ford Fiesta ST

2012 Ford Fiesta ST – Click above for high-res image gallery

We can’t find much fault with the 2011 Ford Fiesta, but if there’s one major gripe, it’s a lack of power (well, and paddle shifters for the dual-clutch gearbox). However, it looks like that lone complaint may be addressed with the introduction of the Fiesta ST, the smaller sibling to the recently revealed Focus ST.

Similar to the mule caught in Detroit earlier this year, the three-door Fiesta is back with a massive front-mount intercooler, revised body work, new wheels and a high-performance exhaust, along with some racy Recaros that probably won’t make the trek from prototype to production.

While it’s doubtful Ford would port over the Focus ST’s 247 horsepower 2.0-liter EcoBoost mill, the 180-hp turbo’d 1.6-liter or rumored EcoBoost 1.4 are definitely in the cards. With the Focus ST finally having a shot in the States, the globally-certified Fiesta ST might come along for the ride. And maybe a set of paddle shifters will be included in the package.

Gallery: Spy Shots 2012: Ford Fiesta ST

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: 2012 Ford Fiesta ST ready to back up its big brother originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar XKR175 kicks off the kid brother mantle at Pebble Beach

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Jaguar, Misc. Auto Shows, Luxury


Jaguar XKR175 – Click above for high-res image

Life can’t have been easy for Jaguar in the Ford PAG years. Sure, the automaker had an influx of capital to dedicate to development of new models and the fine-tuning of existing ones. And sure, its notorious reliability and quality levels skyrocketed to a near-acceptable level (which is quite far from where they were). But all the same, it had to live in the shadow of their big brother Aston Martin.

The current Tata era, then, must be a breath of fresh air, with no one impeding Jag’s upwards growth. Exhibit A: the XKR175. Like its continental (and similarly named) counterpart, the XKR 75, it’s been made to celebrate the marque’s 75th anniversary. Of course it’s based on the XKR, a model of unique feline reflexes that was once impeded in its potential by the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, never mind the DB9. But no more – with AML now under separate ownership, the XKR175 demonstrates just what the British GT is capable of.

We’re talking about 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque from the supercharged V8. We’re talking about a beefed-up aero kit, bigger wheels and super-sized brakes. We’re talking about an unveiling no less prestigious than the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, so check out the solo image released in the interim and the press release after the jump.

If you like what you see, you’d better call your local dealer now. Because with a limited production run of – you guessed it – 175 examples (15 of which will head north to the land of igloos and maple syrup, the rest to be divided between these United States), you can bet that – even with a $104,500 price tag – demand will outstrip supply. Even Aston Martin will have to stand up and take notice to that.

[Source: Jaguar]

Continue reading Jaguar XKR175 kicks off the kid brother mantle at Pebble Beach

Jaguar XKR175 kicks off the kid brother mantle at Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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