Currently reading: 2017 Ford Fiesta ST could be AWD

The success of the Focus RS may prompt Ford to offer an all-wheel-drive version of its smaller sibling

Ford can quite easily build an all-wheel-drive version of the next Ford Fiesta, the brand has confirmed, raising the possibility of a hot all-wheel-drive version of the next ST model.

New Ford Fiesta ST to be revealed this Friday

The engineering would be possible because the Fiesta is based on a modified version of the same global small car platform as the Ford Ecosport small SUV, which is sold with a 4x4 version in some markets. “The platform, in general, can take 4x4,” Ford of Europe’s head of vehicle engineering, Joe Bakaj, told Autocar.

He wouldn’t confirm nor deny whether future hot Fiestas would go down the same AWD route as the Ford Focus RS.

The RS, with its ‘drift’ function enabled via active torque vectoring through the rear wheels, has gained plaudits and a mass of positive publicity for Ford, which could prompt it to do something similar for the Fiesta.

The AWD drive platform could also spawn a 4x4 version of the new Active crossover-styled version of the Fiesta, although Bakaj said that was unlikely, given the Active’s sub-EcoSport price point.

Read more: 2017 Ford Fiesta officially revealed - full specs and gallery

Nick Gibbs

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Biter 6 December 2016

Weird

We were just discussing at work what the perfect performance car would be for the UK.. The general conclusion reached was a 4x4 Fiesta RS.

Hope they make it. I'd be throwing my wallet at them.

Biter 6 December 2016

Weird

We were just discussing at work what the perfect performance car would be for the UK.. The general conclusion reached was a 4x4 Fiesta RS.

Hope they make it. I'd be throwing my wallet at them.

BenS1 5 December 2016

It'll never happen

I'll pay £50 to charity if they make a 4wd Fiesta ST or RS. As much as I'd like it to happen and yes I'm sure they have the ability to do it but unfortunately I don't believe they actually will do it.

Maybe they'll create a Fiesta on stilts 4wd crossover\SUV type thing, but not an ST or RS.

Hope I'm wrong.