Bodyshell

The car benefits from a multipoint roll cage, designed to be HANS® compatible. The design complies with Appendix J of the FIA International Regulations. A choice of weld-in or bolt-in cages is available and both include double V bracing in the rear of the car above the passengers’ heads and ‘twin tube’ door bars with no crossover.

Engine

The basic engine remains standard with the only additions being a revised 'foam' air filter and a stainless steel exhaust system including a motorsport specification catalytic converter. The engine ECU has been modified to revise the fuel and air ratio and optimise the ignition. Modifications have been made to the 'pedal map' for the electronic 'fly-by-wire' throttle, which improves throttle response and engine torque in the lower gears.

Brakes

The standard ST front and rear disc brakes are retained. The pipes in the braking system are replaced by braided steel hoses and an adjustable pressure-reducing valve is fitted to the system while still retaining the dual circuit diagonal braking required to comply with Gp.N regulations. The brake pad compounds have been optimised for rallying.

Underbody Protection

A substantial 6mm aluminium sumpguard to protect the engine and transmission components, manufactured to an M-Sport design, has been added. The standard fuel tank has a Kevlar composite moulded guard to protect from stone damage. The fuel filler neck also has a Kevlar composite moulded guard to protect this area. There is also optional underbody protection available to protect the floor pan and the side sills from stone damage.

Transmission

The car has a 5-speed 'dog' engagement gearkit fitted to a standard ST casing. The gearbox design and ratios have been developed in conjunction with SADEV. The transmission is supplied as an exchange item ready to fit into the car, with the customer to return their standard ST gearbox in a serviceable condition. The ST Gp.N features uprated driveshafts as standard.

Wheels

Taking advantage of the standard vehicle features, M-Sport has been able to homologate the ST to use 15" wheels for gravel and snow and 17" wheels for asphalt to take advantage of the increased range of tyres for these popular sizes. The wheels for the Gp.N version of the car have been manufactured in both 'Super T' and 'Rally Racing' styles by OZ Racing.

Interior

The majority of the trim, as authorised under Gp.N, has been removed from the car to reduce the weight and allow the fitment of the safety features required in a rally car designed to compete in any region. The seats have been replaced with Recaro competition versions made from composite materials. To these have been added Sabelt 6pt harnesses, a Sabelt suede steering wheel, plus an integrated fire extinguisher system with electronic control.

A 'piggy back' wiring loom has been developed to supplement the standard car wiring loom, incorporating the additional electrical requirements of the rally version. This includes an electronic circuit breaker to cut power to the electrical circuits in the event of an accident. It also includes the wiring for additional electrical requirements like map light, additional spotlights, radio, tripmeter, etc.

Suspension

Using the uprated suspension of the standard ST as a basis, which includes revised front suspension knuckles for additional negative camber and a strengthened twist beam rear axle, M-Sport engineers have added Reiger dampers which are adjustable for rebound and revised spring rates to improve the ride over rough surfaces found on stages. In addition the steering rack on the standard ST Gp.N has a quicker ratio than the standard Fiesta to give improved turn-in.