Hot-Hatch Fans Can Heave a Breath of Relief: Ford Fiesta's Electric Successor Will Get a Performance Version in 2028
Ford is preparing a bold move into the electric vehicle market in Europe. After the painful retirement of the legendary Fiesta from production in 2023, the American automaker confirms that its spirit will live on in a new zero-emission subcompact model, scheduled for launch in 2028. And the best part? Adrenaline enthusiasts haven't been forgotten: the upcoming EV will get at least one performance version.
Seven new models by 2029: Ford's offensive in Europe
In May, Ford unveiled an ambitious strategy for the European market, a transformation plan that foresees the launch of 7 completely new models by 2029. Among these new products, the piece de resistance for sales volumes and urban mobility will be a subcompact electric model (B segment).
This will essentially be the spiritual and technological successor to the old Fiesta, and its official debut is scheduled for 2028.
Official confirmation: Sporting DNA remains alive in the electric age
Rumors of a dynamic variant have been officially confirmed by Christian Weingartner, Ford's product chief. In an interview with British publication Auto Express, the official dispelled the fears of fans who believed that electrification would kill the fun character of compact cars.
Weingartner emphasized that the new electric hatchback will benefit from performance versions specially developed to stay connected to a very important community for the brand.
“The new performance versions of the electric model will appeal to the brand’s existing customers and especially performance enthusiasts.” – Christian Weingartner, Ford product chief
Advanced architecture: All-wheel drive and multi-link suspension?
Although Ford is still keeping the name this sporty version will bear under wraps, industry speculation points to extremely interesting technical directions.
It is very likely that the new model will be based on a similar architecture to that seen on the Alpine A290 hot hatch. Choosing such a platform would bring clear dynamic advantages, hard to match in the affordable segment:
- Multi-link rear suspension: An essential setup for rigorous road holding and excellent cornering handling.
- Compatibility with two electric motors: An option that paves the way to all-wheel drive and a power level capable of delivering lightning-fast acceleration.
Fiesta ST Legacy: Setting the bar very high
The transition to electric powertrain comes with a huge responsibility for Ford engineers. The old Ford Fiesta was a benchmark in its class, and its performance version, the Fiesta ST, made history.
First launched in 2004, the Fiesta ST offered the perfect recipe for fun-to-drive character at the right price for almost two decades, being successfully marketed until the end of the model's production in 2023.
An interesting detail that remains in the brand's history is that, unlike its bigger brother Focus, the Fiesta never received an RS series version, always stopping at the threshold of performance offered by the ST division. It remains to be seen whether the new era of electrification in 2028 will change this tradition or whether we will witness the birth of a new legendary acronym on the tailgate of the small EV.
