Thread: Ford Fiesta ST first drive review

The new ST is the first production Fiesta to hit 62mph from rest in less than 7sec, but how does it fare against the Renault sport Clio?Its the latest fast Ford, the Ford Fiesta ST. The new ST is first production Fiesta to reach 62mph from rest in under seven seconds, which makes it sound particularly sprightly. As well it might: it has 179bhp, which, although around 10 per cent less than the classs fastest, should prove sufficient in a four-metre supermini that will weigh around 1100kg (official kerbweight hasnt been released at the time of writing). That power output – strong but not outstanding – should give you an idea of where Ford intends the Fiesta ST to sit in its range. Unlike Renault or Peugeot, Ford doesnt have one sporting line, it has ST and RS badges to use, with ST the daily drivers and RS the hardcore models. So, like the latest Focus ST, the Fiesta is meant to be enjoyable but not uncomfortable, fast but docile. It costs from under 17,000 and is available in two trim levels – ST1 and ST2, imaginatively, with the latter 1000 more expensive and adding heated, part leather seats, DAB radio and a few other extras. Power comes from a 1. 6-litre turbocharged four-pot and drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. Theres no flappy paddle option, and neither is there a mechanical limited-slip differential – the preserve of RS models, you feel. Instead, the Fiesta gets Torque Vectoring Control, an extension of the stability control that brakes a spinning inside wheel, replicating some of the effects of an LSD. Suspension is 15mm lower than regular Fiestas, spring and damper rates are appropriately a mite stiffer, as is the rear torsion beam, while there are 17-in alloys wearing 205/40 Bridgestone Potenza all round. The power steering is electrically assisted, and is a different, faster (2. 4 turns) rack than on regular Fiestas, though remains linear: unlike a Servotronic, system it doesnt get faster as you wind on more lock to increase agility.