Ford presents the Fiesta Red and Black Edition, models that are positioned one step below the Fiesta ST benchmark, debuting a new variant of the small 3-cylinder Ecoboost, the most powerful so far in a production car, with 140hp.
Nothing presumptuous for Ford, when picking up the Ferrari 458 Speciale and the Bugatti Veyron to compare the specific power of its small three-cylinder of just 1 liter. Nothing at all… But the fact is that the 140hp per liter of this small engine is superior to those of the aforementioned models. If this engine had the same displacement as the 458 Speciale, it would deliver 25hp more than this one.
SEE ALSO: We were testing the 125hp version of the 1.0 Ecoboost engine at Fiesta, surprised!
Ford has reason to exaggerate the qualities of its award-winning and successful engine. At Fiesta, in 2014, the 1.0 Ecoboost in its two versions, with 100hp and 125hp, represents 30% of sales and an equal proportion can be found in the Ford Focus.
One of the best applied examples of downsizing, where lower capacity and supercharged engines replace the previous naturally aspirated engines, but with greater capacity.
With 140hp, probably a record for a 1 liter engine applied to a car, Ford uncovers a little more of the engine's potential. Like the other 1.0 Ecoboost this version is also supercharged through a turbo, uses direct injection and a variable valve command.
Ford had already reached a peak last year with the small Ecoboost, when it introduced the intriguing Ford FF1, basically a Formula Ford for the road, in which it extracted 202hp from a liter of capacity. Is Ford preparing even more powerful variants of the 1.0 Ecoboost to equip its models? We believe so, because there are plans to introduce this engine in models like the Mondeo and Kuga.
Speculation aside, let's focus on the new Fiesta Red and Black Edition that debut this new version of 1.0 Ecoboost. As we've already announced, it's 140hp, allowing it to reach 0-100 km/h in 9 seconds and a top speed of 201 km/h. The perky performance is counteracted with reduced consumption. In combined cycle it is 4.5 l/100km and emissions are around 104g CO2/km. A new reality of “no-fault performance seems” increasingly to be the future.
Standing below the Fiesta ST, and focused on style and dynamics, the Fiesta Red and Black Edition visually stand out from the rest of Fiestas as they feature a two-tone bodywork. The Red Edition is presented with a red bodywork – or Race Red as Ford defines it – contrasting with a glossy black roof, among other details, such as mirrors and grille contours. The Black Edition reverses the color scheme, with a Phanter Black bodywork and red roof, mirrors and grille outlines.
Inside we see a center console in glossy black, leather steering wheel and gearbox bellows with red stitching. Identical treatment given to mats, with the Fiesta Red and Black Edition coming equipped with sports seats using the black and red color scheme.
Dynamically have also been enhanced. The Fiesta Red and Black Edition saw their 5-speed manual transmission revised in step, and the steering gained weight. It's 10mm closer to the ground, and the springs are now stiffer, about 12% at the front and 6% at the back. The rear axle is now 11% stiffer as well. It will come with 16″ wheels as standard, and as an option it can bring 17. Small changes that promise to make the entire dynamic envelope of the Fiesta, known for its effective and fun behavior, more sharpening, without sacrificing too much daily coexistence.
If the Fiesta ST is too big a step, the Fiesta Red and Black Edition could be the ideal compromise for those looking for sharp dynamics, interesting performances and contained consumption. The commercialization of this duo should take place in the coming months.
