2013 Ford Fiesta ST is for Boy Racers Who've Grown Up: 2012 Geneva Auto Show

Long considered an objet de lust of wannabe Lewis Hamiltons and Damon Hills across Europe, hot hatch derivatives of Ford‘s Fiesta were notoriously known as peppy, scrappy handling little cars, that offered a decent amount of driving fun for not much money (until the time came to ensure them).

Yet like anything that’s been around for 30 years, eventually there’s a need to grow up. And so it is with the hot 2013 Fiesta ST, unveiled today at the Geneva Motor Show as a car that while still paying homage to its boy racer roots, also adopts a more mature personality. With environmental sustainability at the forefront of many minds today, the ST, while sporting a turbocharged motor, weighs in with Ford’s 1.6-liter EcoBoost, that cranks out some 180 metric horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, yet delivers better fuel economy and reportedly a 20 percent reduction in emissions compared with its 2008 predecessor.

Featuring specific chassis tuning and a lowered, tighter suspension, plus Ford’s Torque Vectoring Control System and no fewer than three different stability control modes, the new Fiesta ST was flogged mercilessly around the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife, during its development testing phase, with the idea of achieving a healthy blend of sharp handling and good directional stability.

On the outside, more aggressive body parts, including a new front fascia, rocker panels and rear roof spoiler are incorporated, while inside, standard Recaro bucket seats and high-contrast upholstery help set this car apart from its more sensible siblings.

Although Ford has green lit Fiesta ST production for Europe (indicated by the three-door version on display at Geneva), favorable response from the five-door concepts shown at LA and Detroit, along with the Blue Oval’s stance that it “remains open to introducing [the car] to other regions,” means it’s probably only a matter of time before it shows up stateside. We can’t wait!