Ford’s hot version of the Fiesta hatch, the XR4, may well turn out to be the performance hit of 2007.
The Ford sales trumps are cautiously suggesting they may sell the hot hatch at the rather modest rate of between 25 and 40 per month, when surely the new rocket has the potential to double that figure.
Stunning handling and steering, coupled with a firm but pleasing ride, a slick-shifting five-speed close ratio manual ’box, comfortable sports seats, reassuring active and passive safety features, and a spirited twin-cam 2.0-litre 16-valve engine from the Focus combine to give the sporty car enthusiast a level of satisfaction rarely met in the hot-hatch genre.
Best of all, this tasty mini pizza supreme retails at $24,990. No wonder the first six months’ allocation has been snaffled by dealers.
Buyers wanting the lairy optional twin stripes reminiscent of the old XC Falcon will need an extra $300. Ford believes about 30 percent of buyers will opt for the John Goss connection. More adventurous members of the motoring media are betting Ford that the actual take up rate for the stripes will be way higher, close to 100 percent.
The well featured, Euro-styled XR4 – engineered in Germany by Ford’s TeamRS, which also created the Focus XR5 Turbo – is offered only with a manual ’box and only in a three-door body.
It’s a bonsai-sized performance standout, joining the current XR tribe – XR5, XR6 and XR8 – in appealing to those who haven’t yet capitulated to demands to drive at 40km/h … everywhere.
The all-alloy Duratec engine from the Focus is modified just for the XR4, and develops 110kW (up from 107kW) at 6000rpm and peak torque of 190Nm (up from 185) which is handily available from as low as 1500rpm all the way to 6150.
The power and torque boosts come courtesy of a new low-loss intake system and sports exhaust. A low-inertia flywheel provides more immediate throttle response.
The gearbox, a delight to use, gets the same gear ratios as the regular Zetec three-door Fiesta, but with a taller 3.82 final drive. It still feels under-geared on the highway.
Specific to the XR4 is a short-throw shift which is wonderful to play with. The first, second and third gearsets have been shot-peened for the likely livelier action from revheads.
The XR4’s greatest attribute is its dynamics. Its turn-in capabilities are exceptional, with quite remarkable grip levels. It does have stability and traction control (switchable) but intervention thresholds are so high that even an enthusiastic steerer will hardly know these electronic systems are lurking there in the shadows.
Whoever is responsible for the steering and suspension tune should be handed a medal. It’s a gem. The steering ratio has been shortened by 10 percent, toe in reduced and the front sub-frame stiffened for a tad better precision at the tiller.
The ride height has been dropped 10mm at the front to get a bit of wedge into the sporty Fiesta. Coil springs have been firmed up, dampers recalibrated, and some negative camber dialled in.
At the rear, the twist beam axle has been stiffened by nearly 40 percent.
Directional change is fantastic, with little body roll or understeer. There is no hint of mid-corner lift-off oversteer, which is a good thing for mug drivers but not much of a challenge for those who like to get some attitude happening.
The role here of special high performance 40-profile 17-inch Pirelli P Zero Nero tyres shouldn’t be underestimated either. They keep on hanging on.
Brakes have been upgraded, too, with bigger ventilated fronts (with larger callipers and pads) and vented rear discs.
Inside, the Fiesta XR4 is unashamedly sporty, with sporty leather seats with contrasting inserts and a few other racy touches.
Special XR4 interior “jewellery” includes matt finish rings around the instruments, added brightwork on the handbrake and door pull handles, and alloy XR4-inscribed scuff plates on the door sills.
We did miss a driver’s foot rest but noted that there probably isn’t space in the footwell for one.
Customers wanted piece of mind, Ford assured us, which is why they got a raft of standard safety gear – driver and front passenger airbags, side curtain airbags and side thorax ’bags.
A passive anti-theft system and remote central locking complete the package.
Happily for budget-conscious owners, the XR4 doesn't bear the insurance cost that inflicts turbo performance cars.
FIESTA XR4
Engine:
2.0 Duratec – 1999cc 4 cylinders in line; DOHC; 16 valves; alloy cylinder head
and block; electronic multipoint fuel injection
Max. power -–110kW at 6000rpm
Max. torque -– 190Nm at 4500rpm
Transmission:
5-speed manual only
1st -- 3.583
2nd -- 2.038
3rd -- 1.414
4th -- 1.108
5th -- 0.878
Reverse -- 3.615
Final drive -- 3.824
Fuel consumption:
ADR 81/01 – 7.4L/100km
Dimensions:
Length -- 3924mm
Width without mirrors -- 1685mm
Height -- 1468mm
Wheelbase -- 2486mm
Track front/rear -- 1464-1444mm
Kerb Weight: 1090kg
Wheels and tyres:
Tyres – Pirelli 205/40 ZR17
Wheels (set of four) – 17" 11-spoke alloys
Safety and Handling:
Driver and front passenger airbags
Side curtain airbags and side thorax airbags
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Traction control
Fiesta XR4 larger ventilated front and rear disc brakes
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)Fiesta XR4 sports suspension
Remote central locking
Exterior highlights:
Fiesta XR4 sports body styling kit (front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper and large body-coloured spoiler)
Front fog lamps
Power heated remote adjustable side mirrors
Overhead stripes (optional)
Interior highlights:
Air-conditioning
6-disc in-dash CD with steering-wheel-mounted audio controls
Sports pedals
Power windows
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with aluminium centre spoke
Partial leather sports seats
Leather gear knob with alloy trim
Two-toned instrument panel (when Frozen White or Performance Blue exterior specified)
Fiesta XR4 scuff plates