RE: New Ford Fiesta ST - official!

[blade7]

Max5476 said:

there's a reason the MT-09 and Street Triple are such popular bikes at the moment.

If they float your boat fair enough, personally I wouldn't want either of them. I don't think losing a cylinder is a positive move, and opening the bonnet and seeing a little engine wouldn't impress me either.

[Michaelhunt]

5bowler said:

Wouldn't touch the 3 cylinder, will be working overtime strangling out the power. Looks like a Korean (KIA) car for easy finance, what is with Ford and the design department? Bring back the days of the Cosworth and XR's with the big spoilers, extended arches and splitters.

That's like saying subaru's, evo's and pretty much every 2.0 turbo with a chunk of power are working overtime.

It will be absolutely fine. The previous generation ST is regarded as a fine car perhaps one of Ford's finest ever with regards to hot hatchbacks. Don't think they are going to mess that up seeing as they have the best hatchback crown for pretty much the first time ever.

[Amirhussain]

5bowler said:

Bring back the days of the Cosworth and XR's with the big spoilers, extended arches and splitters.

I bet then you would get people on here slating it and saying it looks chavvy and that its 'crashed through halfords' or whatever else bks.

[Loyly]

Max5476 said:

Isn't it also to do with delivering more torque lower down the rev range, it might make a little less top end power, but to most drivers will feel faster in-gear. This doesn't mean its not going to be fun to rev it out, there's a reason the MT-09 and Street Triple are such popular bikes at the moment.

The MT and Street Triple are amazing bikes but I don't think either really sells on it's engine. The MT seems to go on value and the Street Triple on it's amazing handling.

I have to say, I love triples on bikes but I don't think there is a direct comparison to cars. The car engines will be making a lot of use of turbocharging whereas the N/A bikes are a good halfway point between the stomp of a twins and the rush of a 4. Plus, the sound amazing (I ride a 955i three cylinder Daytona).

Triples are very well established in the bike world but they've got a way to go before the less adventurous car buyers are convinced.

[anonymous-user]

I can't see the problem with the 3 cylinder lump. It's lighter, smaller and unlike most 4 cylinder engines has some character. Now that the days of NA screamers have gone and everything vaguely sporty is FI what does it matter? It's the future of the internal combustion engine in production cars so expect to see more of this sort of configuration.

[WCZ]

mooseracer said:

Errm, no? I'm just glad I'll be able to buy one that doesn't change gear for me, has 3 doors and has power around 'enough' for a car in it's segment.

the mk7 doesn't change gear for you, has 3 doors and has power around enough for the cars in its segment

[GroundEffect]

blade7 said:

GroundEffect said:

blade7 said:

From a performance standpoint I can't think of any reason to use 3 pistons and 12 valves over 4 pistons and 16 valves. Cheaper to manufacture so more profit I assume.

Lower friction is the main reason. Better for FE/CO2.

I don't think lower friction out weighs more valve area in performance terms. The top output 1000cc superbike engines all use 4 cylinders. Ford could have turned cylinders on and off on the old engine to lower emissions.

Edited by blade7 on Saturday 25th February 12:40

Yes but these engines aren't designed for pure performance. Lower friction will dominate on the NEDC and upcoming WLTC.

Oh and this engine has cylinder deac, too - runs on 2cyl if you let it

[skinnyman]

RemyMartin81D said:

What a completely bland stter of a car. Horrendous.

Ford interiors are a complete mess and I suspect an inside joke at Ford on how bad can we make our interior design before people stop buying them.

You say that, but have you sat in a Seat performance car recently? Despite how exciting the driving might be you're in danger of dying of boredom sat inside one

[Fr0d]

Can't believe all the negative powerplant comments. I'd take the sound of a characterful 3 pot over a boring, ubiquitous 4 banger any day.

[leef44]

zestyfesty said:

Good
Less weight over front axle
Could be a characterful little throbber the 3 pot

Bad
Wheels ghastly
Rear end is just generic golf/cerato/Audi gp whereas the old rear cluster was distinct
Configurable modes
Sound symposer

Call me old school but this car seems less authentic
Hope I'm wrong

ditto

[blade7]

GroundEffect said:

Yes but these engines aren't designed for pure performance. Lower friction will dominate on the NEDC and upcoming WLTC.

Oh and this engine has cylinder deac, too - runs on 2cyl if you let it

If a new Clio comes along and kicks it's arse will any of that matter...

[Michaelhunt]

Not if, when. No way can Renault come second to a Ford again lol

[mooseracer]

WCZ said:

the mk7 doesn't change gear for you, has 3 doors and has power around enough for the cars in its segment

Indeed, and I'm glad they've not messed with those elements - that doesn't mean I want them to produce the same car again.

[Ahbefive]

Interior looks no worse than a 1series, a very similar design.

If it sounds like it does in the video it sounds grear for a little car.

I bet its fun. Other than the styling, whats not to like?

[*Al*]

I've always accepted the saying - "There's no replacement for displacement".

[Ahbefive]

*Al* said:

I've always accepted the saying - "There's no replacement for displacement".

Thats a pretty outdated idea and notvreally applicable anymore. Look at F1 cars.

[fezst]

Coming from a current gen Fiesta ST owner, I quite like it. The rear and the wheels are really not great but could look better in the flesh.

As for the 3-pot engine I think it was the only direction that Ford were ever going with this car and it's the right one in my opinion. The 4-pot sounds a lot like a diesel and lacks any kind of decent sound so I think the 3-pot sound will be very refreshing.

I see a lot of moaning in the thread that the car looks "bland" and that the lack of displacement in the engine department is a complete let down. Seriously what did you expect? This car is for the mass market and it is still a Fiesta at the end of the day.

[lee_erm]

*Al* said:

I've always accepted the saying - "There's no replacement for displacement".

It's only 100cc's less than the old one!

[ToothbrushMan]

I dont think theres any road tax benefit to the 1.5 so im going to keep an eye on prices of the outgoing 1.6 ST as they will come down a decent amount when the new one arrives- might be a good next purchase after all the thickest bit of depreciation has been sucked out of them. and of course the rear of the old model looks better than this new one too.....

[ToothbrushMan]

*Al* said:

I've always accepted the saying - "There's no replacement for displacement".

was this old saying in defence of normal aspiration versus forced induction or was it simply some old yanky fool banging on about a 1.6 cortina versus a 6 litre mustang or some such off the wall comparison?