Ford has received double the expected number of orders for the award-winning Ford Fiesta ST in its first six months on sale, with almost one third of all orders placed across Europe coming from the UK.

More than 3,000 Fiesta ST orders have been placed in the UK since it went on sale at the end of March, a sales rate well ahead of the projected 5,000-per-year target. Europe-wide demand is being led by UK customers, making up 56-per cent of all dealer reservations across the continent. As a result, Fiesta ST production will increase by 15 per cent to 60 vehicles per day to keep up with growing demand.

Fiesta ST’s unique Pearlescent Molten Orange and Spirit Blue metallic paint colours have been requested on 45 per cent of orders and 56 per cent of buyers have opted for higher specification ST2 models.

The Ford Fiesta ST offers performance-tuned steering, suspension, brakes and enhanced Torque Vectoring Control; as well as Ford MyKey, SYNC with Emergency Assistance and Recaro sports seats. Powered by a 180bhp, 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, the Fiesta ST is capable of 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds and has a top speed of 139mph.

A Mountune engine upgrade, available for £599, increases output to a maximum of 212bhp.