For the longest time, the Big Three automakers have abandoned the sport compact market to the Japanese imports. They were, at the time, more concerned with making muscle cars and SUV’s than small cars they could hardly turn a profit on. Yet the dawn of a new era in sport compact cars is upon us, and the vanguard of this movement will be no other than the Ford Fiesta.

Pictures: KGP Photography

Inside Line has these spy shots of a turbocharged Ford Fiesta caught testing somewhere in Germany.

The most immediate difference you will notice about the Fiesta is that it has two doors, rather than the four doors currently available. That is the biggest plus in our book, as the Fiesta really lends itself to the whole “hot hatch” look. This Fiesta is also noticeably lower than the standard Fiesta, with a longer door and swooping back end. It almost looks like a different car.

So how do we know this is the turbocharged ST, and not just some Fiesta coupe? Well the huge intercooler up front is a pretty good hint. The Focus ST “concept” is equipped with a 2.0 liter EcoBoost engine with 247 horsepower. That is some serious horsepower for such a little car (especially one with front-wheel drive). This Fiesta also wears some sharp wheels and a clean hatch-based spoiler and dual exhausts. We can’t wait to get our hands on this little hatchback, because it sure looks fun.