Its Fiesta Time

This is good news bad news time for you and me alike:

Ford has announced details of its hot Fiesta S1600. Why the good news bad news? Because Ford is building just 500 of these pocket-rockets so the chances of getting hold of one are pretty minimal.

Priced from 15,895 (26,000) on the road, the latest Ford Fiesta S1600 boasts 132 bhp at 6,700 rpm and 118 lb. -ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm from its 1. 6-liter, Duratec Ti-VCT petrol engine; it can reach 60 mph in just 8. 2 sec – an improvement of 1. 7 sec.

Based on the popular three-door 118 bhp Ford Fiesta Zetec-S, the 120 mph Fiesta S1600 marks its sporting pedigree with a body styling kit that includes a unique front bumper with flared lower valence panel, extended side skirts, large rear spoiler and rear diffuser, and with 17 inch white alloy wheels. Frozen White or Performance Blue liveries are available, with contrasting motorsport stripes.

The interior also receives a comprehensive upgrade, including heated, stitched leather sports seats with standard side-airbags, leather steering wheel, handbrake cover and gear-knob, plus motorsport-branded floor mats and scuff plates.

The Ford Fiesta S1600 continues a 30-year sporting bloodline that began with the Fiesta XR2 in 1981 and has included Supersport, XR2i, Si, RS and ST models.