OMG i have now heard two different stories. One saying Yes the St will be concidered in 2006 and now this?? what to believe??
Check this out also:
Source:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/5...of_the_xr2.html
Quote:
In a world exclusive scoop, Auto Express can reveal the return of a legend to the blue oval's performance car stable - and unmask the new Ford Fiesta in the process!
The pictures in this week's mag show how the most extreme Fiesta to make production is expected to look, focusing on the details which will aim to keep the Fiesta at the top of the supermini class.
The new hot hatch hits UK roads in 2008. Based on the revised Fiesta - which will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September - the biggest visual changes will be made to the front of the car. Penned by Ford design boss Martin Smith, the new XR2 will mix the lines of the SAV people carrier concept with Focus ST styling cues. Following the successful introduction of the Fiesta ST, sources close to Ford indicate that it will be an even more powerful flagship.
And it needs to be - by the time this car appears, hot versions of Fiat's new Punto, the Peugeot 207 and Vauxhall's Corsa will all be available, providing stiff competition for the newcomer.
With distinctive triangular headlights and bumper-mounted foglamps, joined by oval air intakes and a mesh grille, the new XR2 carries on the Ford tradition of bold hot hatches. Extended wheelarches, vertical side air vents and sporty sills match the drama of the multispoke alloys. At the rear, revised tail-lights, a new bumper and roof spoiler complete the look, while ST-style twin bodystripes will be optional.
Under the bonnet is a modified version of the Fiesta ST's 2.0-litre engine. Power should be in excess of 180bhp - about the same as the Corsa VXR - making the newcomer the fastest production Fiesta ever, with 0-60mph in less than seven seconds and a top speed in excess of 135mph. Larger brakes will provide supreme stopping power, but the engineers are expected to really pull out the stops when it comes to handling. The firm will improve on the excellent Fiesta ST with sharper steering, more grip and updated stability and traction control systems.
With the XR2 sitting at the top of the Fiesta range and likely to cost around £14,500, Ford will also launch two 'warm' hatch models which will offer more affordable fun. Similar to the current Zetec-badged cars, the new range could use two engines from the Focus line-up: the 113bhp 1.6-litre Ti-VCT unit and a 136bhp 2.0-litre TDCi diesel.
The new performance range is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008, with sales starting later that year. Meanwhile, the facelifted Fiesta goes on sale this November. It features a more youthful look, with bold headlights, a new mesh grille and a high-quality cabin similar to the Focus's, while prices are expected to start at around £8,750.