new Fiesta ST – which we've caught undergoing testing at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany

Feast your eyes on the hottest Fiesta yet. This is the new Fiesta ST – which we've caught undergoing testing at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany.

As you can see it boasts a wild bodykit with a Focus RS-style nose, which helps feed air to the intercooler – because this Fiesta is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine.

Producing around 200bhp, it should be able to do 0-60mph in around six seconds and hit a top speed of 140mph. Lowered suspension, widened front and rear tracks and two huge exhaust pipes poking out of an angry diffuser are further giveaways that this is no ordinary supermini.

According to our spy photographer, the ST was being benchmarked alongside its chief rival – the RenaultSport Clio 200. It will also compete with the VW Polo GTI, and Ford's engineers will be keen to ensure the Fiesta is a more entertaining hot hatch than both.

Inside the racy tweaks continue with a pair of sporty Recaro seats for the driver and passenger. There's no official word from Ford on when the ST will arrive, but expect an on-sale date of early 2011.