Ford has introduced a special edition of the Fiesta ST, one year on from the first examples hitting UK roads…but you’ll have to be quick to snap one up.

The Fiesta ST Ford Performance Edition is limited to just 600 examples, all in three-door bodystyle and finished in Deep Orange paint. Based on the best-selling ST-3 trim, the Fiesta ST Ford Performance Edition gains specially-designed Ford Performance parts, including 18-inch Ford Performance alloy wheels – shaving seven kilograms of weight from the standard wheel set – and a Ford Performance coilover suspension pack with stainless steel damper housing and powder-coated Ford Performance Blue springs.

Andy Barratt, managing director, Ford of Britain, said: “The Fiesta ST is the car that keeps on giving. It’s fast, fun, affordable, practical and economical – and now we’ve built a unique example for Ford fans wanting to stand out from the crowd. This ST is for customers who are performance-oriented drivers and tuning enthusiasts who demand maximum fun on the road combined with a sporty appearance – the ultimate Fiesta ST.”

The coilover suspension pack lowers the ride height by 15mm at the front and 10mm at the rear, and has been extensively tested at the Nürburgring Nordschleife by Ford Performance engineers. The suspension can be adjusted manually, with 12 bump settings and 16 rebound settings for a personalised, finely-tuned driving set-up.

The 10-spoke, 18-inch flow formed alloy wheels are lighter, stronger and more durable than a traditional cast wheel. Flow forming involves the application of pressure to the inner barrel of the wheel while spinning and after it has been cast, which stretches and compresses the aluminium, increasing tensile strength. These alloy wheels are finished with a winter-resistant, high-grade triple layer “Magnetite” paintwork.

Other standard equipment includes LED headlamps and B&O premium audio system, in addition to the ST’s signature Performance Pack, comprising a specially-designed Quaife limited slip differential (LSD), launch control and performance shift light indicators.

The latest-generation Fiesta ST went on sale in the UK in May last year, and more than 5,000 examples have been sold in that time. The Fiesta ST has been crowned Parker’s overall Car of the Year, and both Top Gear Magazine’s Car of the Year and Hot Hatch of the Year.

Final pricing for the Fiesta ST Ford Performance Edition will be announced next month, however this ultimate ST specification will carry a premium of at least £3,000 over the standard ST-3 list price. It goes on sale from June 2019, with deliveries expected from early September.