The subcompact Ford EcoSport crossover has an available all-wheel-drive system.
That alone is enough to indicate that the Ford Fiesta, which rides on a modified version of the same global B platform, could theoretically be made all-wheel-drive itself. The UK’s Autocar confirms this, quoting Ford Europe VP of Product Development Joe Bakaj: “The platform, in general, can take 4×4.”
Of course, Mr. Bakaj would neither confirm nor deny whether AWD would ever come to the Ford Fiesta, and specifically the next hot Fiesta ST variant.
The Ford Fiesta ST would be the most logical place in the Fiesta line for an all-wheel-drive system, given the success and publicity garnered by the new, AWD Ford Focus RS hot hatch. That car makes use of a GKN “Twinster” system that can split torque between the front and rear ends in real-time, and tends to favor the rear. It can also vector torque between each of the rear wheels, and it allowed for Ford’s zany “Drift” mode, which has been the subject of much discussion.
If Ford doesn’t elect to equip the next Ford Fiesta ST with all-wheel drive, there’s still a remote possibility that an even-hotter Fiesta RS model could be introduced. We won’t hold our breath for that one, though.
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