SCOOP: 2012 Ford Fiesta ST Hot Hatch with EcoBoost Turbo Engine

For those complaining about the lack of a sportier and more powerful edition of Ford's latest (global market) Fiesta hatchback, we have some very good news. Our spy photographers have snapped a prototype version of the upcoming Fiesta ST model undergoing testing in Germany.

The three-door test car featured in these photos gets a wilder bodykit with a front apron incorporating a lip spoiler, chunky side skirts, a bigger roof spoiler and a rear diffuser that houses two large exhaust pipes.

The sporty Fiesta also receives darkened headlamps and big alloy wheels, while we can also see a pair of body-hugging bucket seats for the front passengers.

A closer look at the pictures reveal a massive intercooler up front which feeds the ST's EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine. At this moment, we don't know if Ford has opted to fit the Fiesta ST with a 1.6-liter or a 2.0-liter variant of the EcoBoost engine family.

If anyone knows a German website(s) where we can find more information about the car from the license plate number, we (and consequently our readers) would deeply appreciate it.

In any case, expect an output of around 200-horsepower with all those ponies finding their way to the road through the front wheels. Suspension, brake and steering wheel system tweaks should be on the menu also.

Ford has not yet made any official announcements on the Fiesta ST, which may or may not make it on this side of the pond, but expect to see the Polo GTI-rivaling model arriving first in Europe in 2011.

2012 Ford Explorer SUV Officially Teased

Pictured here next to Jim Holland, chief engineer behind the new Ford Explorer, is (trumpets, please), well, the new Explorer - or at least, a smidgen of it.

The successor to Ford's 90's break-out hit is supposed to debut this year, but there's still no official word from Ford.

We know the new Explorer will be sharing its underpinnings with the Flex, something that usually wouldn't make sense. The Flex is a quirky crossover, and the Explorer is supposed to be an SUV.

That is, unless Ford has some crazy off-roading, efficiency-themed crossover technology coming out. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. Power would hopefully come from some Ecoboost 4- and 6-cylinder engines.

Sadly, there's really nothing to be said about the styling...yet. If it has a hint of Ford's 2008 Explorer America concept in it, that would be nice. And sliding doors need to make a comeback, too.

By Phil Alex

Via: USAToday and Freep

2010 Ford S-MAX and Galaxy MPV Facelift Photos Leaked

The first official shots of Ford's European market 2010 S-MAX and Galaxy MPV have hit the web ahead of an anticipated unveiling in January 2010. Looking at the photos it appears that the slightly shorter S-MAX gains a new lower grille design that brings it in line with Ford's latest offerings such as the Fiesta hatch along with a reshaped front bumper that houses a pair of LED lights.

The new tail lamps and alloy wheel designs round off the exterior changes on the S-MAX while there don't seem to be any visible updates to the interior.

We've only got one photo of the 2010 Galaxy MPV, but from what we can tell, changes are limited to the revised upper grille, the new alloys and the restyled front bumper.

It is reported that both minivans benefit from a new diesel engine, however, this has not been confirmed by Ford.

We'll have more on the restyled S-MAX and Galaxy MPVs as soon as Ford comes out with an official announcement.

2010 Ford S-MAX and Galaxy MPV Facelift

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2009 Ford S-MAX and Galaxy MPV