It was 50 years ago that the original GT40 secured a win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans,->ke1591 and this year Ford->ke31 is returning to France hoping to secure another historic win with the new Ford GT. Returning to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the new Ford GT->ke411 isn’t the only way the company is celebrating that win 50 years ago, though. Now, the company is releasing special-edition->ke2041 versions for the Ford Focus ST, Ford Focus RS, and the Ford Mustang. The car’s feature a distinguishing black livery with gray racing stripes, are being built specifically for the French market, and will be only be produced in 50 examples each.

If you can recall back that far, the Ford GT40 MkII that was driving by B. McLaren and C. Amon back in 1966 also featured the same black finish with gray racing stripes. Outside of the exterior livery, each car is equipped with the standard engine offered for their respective base models and are available with a few options to make them even better. With that said, let’s take a look at the Fiesta ST Le Mans 50th Anniversary Edition and what helps to make it so special.

Continue reading to learn more about the Ford Fiesta ST Le Mans 50th Anniversary Edition.

What makes the Ford Fiesta ST Le Mans 50th Anniversary Edition special

This is another one of those special edition models that really isn’t all that special outside of what it is designed to celebrate. The 50th anniversary of the GT40’s Le Mans win is a big deal, but outside of the limited production of the Fiesta ST Le Mans Anniversary Edition, there are just a few things to talk about. First off, the exterior has been painted in a deep black finish with two gray racing stripes running from the front to the rear. This is similar to the livery of the No. 2 GT40 from 1966, but outside of that, this special edition is bone stock on the exterior. It has the same front and rear fascias, front and rear light units, same radiator grille, and rides on the same wheels as the Fiesta ST you can pick up from your local Ford dealer.

On the inside, you’ll find the same interior styling and features. The oversized six-speed shifter with leather accents can be found sticking out of the center console, and the car has the MyFord Touch infotainment system as standard equipment. The only change that comes as part of the special edition package is the plate attached to the center console that reads “1966 – 2016” and “Limited Edition 50 units” to go along with the Ford classic racing logo from the 1960s. Of course, this Fiesta also features that “sound symposer” under the dash to make you feel like you’re going faster than you really are.

So, I hope you’re ready for more disappointment. This special edition, despite it being a tribute to the GT40’s 1966 Le Mans win, comes with absolutely no extras under the hood. As an ST, it sits at the top of the Fiesta line and comes with a 1.6-liter, EcoBoost that produces 197 horsepower and 202 pound-feet of torque. Mounted to a six-speed manual transmission that EcoBoost is enough to put the Fiesta ST to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph. Doesn’t seem like much when paying tribute to that legendary GT40, but with only 50 examples slated for production, I’m sure Ford Racing fans everywhere will snatch them up quickly.

In addition to the few things the set the Le Mans edition apart from the base model, it can also be equipped with a couple of add-on packages. The Performance Pack brings red-painted calipers, 17-inch alloy wheels, and illuminated door sill plates. Then there is the Parking Pack, which includes rear park assist, electric folding mirrors, and puddle lights on the bottom of the side view mirrors. The car can also be optioned with automatic windshield wipers and headlights, cruise control, and a spare wheel. There's also a smoker’s pack that includes an ashtray and cigarette lighter. (When's the last time you've heard that option listed? – Ed.)

Now let’s talk about the price for a minute. The Fiesta ST Le Mans edition has a sticker price of €27,200 which is €2,400. At current conversion rates that’s $30,428 and $2,684, respectively. The Fiesta ST is already overpriced in France as it as, considering the same car goes for $20,970 here in the U.S., and an increase of $2,684 for a little bit of paint, a couple racing stripes, and a “bespoke” plaque on the center console seems a bit much to me. As it turns out, this is just another one of those special-edition models that are designed to take advantage of the people – specifically, those who celebrate Ford and their return to Le Mans this year – and earn a little extra cash with very little effort.

Ford Fiesta ST

Believe it or not, the Fiesta has been in constant production since the first generation debuted back in 1976. Of course, we Americans went through a pretty long period where we didn’t want small, gas-sipping cars. The Fiesta Mark 1 was discontinued in 1980, and it wasn’t until 2010 that the U.S. saw the Fiesta name again, this time around in its sixth-generation form. It wasn’t until 2013 that we finally laid eyes on the Fiesta ST Concept – a concept that would eventually evolve into the range-topping trim level of the Fiesta. As of the time of this writing, the Fiesta ST is powered by a 1.6-liter, EcoBoost, four-cylinder that delivers 197 horsepower and 202 pound-feet of torque. It isn’t incredibly sporty, but with a current price tag of under $21,000, it’s not that bad of a ride if you’re looking for a small hatchback with decent power. Expect to see the next-generation Fiesta come in the next few years.

Read our full review on the Ford Fiesta ST here.