RE: New Ford Fiesta ST - official!

[df76]

mooseracer said:

Manual box - tick
3 door option - tick
Not gone for stupid power - tick

3 driving 'modes' - hmmm
Electronic sound enhancement - boo
That stupid sync3 screen - boo
Silly shaped steering wheel - boo


Keep it basic was my wish and I suppose they've not gone too overboard. If it retains (or even improves on) the driving dynamics of the current version I'll chop mine in for one when the time comes.

Except I'm well over 25 so will look stupid apparently.

If it drives well, this will be my next car.. is that allowed over 40??

[Slb89]

cib24 said:

This looks like a worse car than the previous one.

All aluminum engine means it won't be able to take big power.

where did this guy learn about engines... on forums?

[Klippie]

First off I'am not a Ford fan and have no interest in the current ST...but if that engine note is real then this new Fiesta will change that, I have a triple motorcycle and it produces the most glorious noises I'd like that in a car.

[anonymous-user]

cib24 said:

This looks like a worse car than the previous one.

All aluminum engine means it won't be able to take big power.

LS7

[JeffreyLebowski]

Krikkit said:

Andy665 said:

Liking this a lot - love he offbeat nature of 3 pots so hope the sound enhancement is not there to mask the natural sound

Agree completely - drove a 120hp not so long ago and it sounded fantastic. I imagine it's dropped some weight out of the nose as well, never a bad thing.

markwm said:

I sooo wish car manufacturers would just stop putting single sided exhauss on their cars. I can forgive it on entry levels models but on a performance model like this is just looks so st having exhaust pipes only on one side.

Can't tell you how strongly I disagree! Over-exhausting is one of the biggest stupidities of car design these days, particularly with all the fakery going on.

x2 on both points

[Vroom101]

Quite enjoyed that video Obviously someone at Ford has taken inspiration from Ken Block on Top Gear, ragging his Mustang around the Ford Dagenham Estate

As for the car, it looks like it will be a cracking little thing, much like the last one. A mate had one which I had a drive of. Fun little car, but I found the ride a bit harsh. Maybe the suspension mode will address that.

[lee_erm]

cib24 said:

All aluminum engine means it won't be able to take big power.

That's the most amusing comment I've read on here in a good while!

Fair play to Ford for innovating though, engine wise. The 3 pot 1.0 ecoboost is a peach.

[PieSlayer]

2 silliest statements I've seen on here for a while

cib24 said:

It also looks heavier by 50-100kg.

Adz The Rat said:

Hmmm I had a 1.0 ecoboost 125 and that felt like the engine was being stressed a bit too much.

All I hope is they have moved the OBD port on this gen.

[mx-tro]

1.5 3 cylynder turbo should be easily able to handle 200ps. Capacity just 7% less than outgoing 4 cylinder model making similar power, but one less cylinder of frictional and pumping losses to overcome. Being turbocharged, unlikey to see high rpm action, so balancing trade-off not huge issue for most buyers.

[Michaelhunt]

WCZ said:

can't think of the last time a hot hatch didn't actually have a power upgrade from it preceding model

no thanks

Clio's and Civics to name just two. There has to be a line drawn somewhere or else a Fiesta would end up like the Focus/Megane/Civic bunch that rock over 100bhp more than they did 10-15 years ago.

[Fire99]

I'm no fan of piping 'enhanced' engine sounds in the cabin but the rest of the dynamics (and the engine / power delivery) I'll wait until I've seen some full road tests.

My only real gripe so far is the rear. The Fiesta used to have a fine looking back-end but this rear is very disappointing. Front and side profile all look pretty good though..

[RC1807]

I have the current ST. The first modification I did was to remove the bloody annoying sound symposer.....like a tin of wasps at 80mph.
This may be a great car, but I still think my ST will be replaced but a new 595 Competizione.

[Glasgowrob]

Like the look of this


Although you do wonder how modular that engine is. Add a cylinder along with some RS badges at a later date

[loose cannon]

I never really liked the rear of the old car bit to mpv for me but the rest was ok and the car as a hole was the best thing ford have knocked out for ages, so now it looks even more like a shrunken mpv and they have replaced the engine with a hair drier, and those wheels

[zestyfesty]

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

[CoolHands]

The shape just looks like a more highly-waisted 15 year old Peugeot 206. None of this st is original.

[G1ggsy]

Whoever is styling these latest hot hatches needs to stop. Technically, there are some brilliant ideas for economy yet not holding back performance, but the styling is just down right awful!
Other classic examples from Ford is the Focus ST and especially the RS. 5 Door Hot Hatches are just a big NO, NO in my eyes. Hot Hatches are meant to be Good Looking, decent performance, practical and in that order, but it seems that Practical, then Performance and last of all Styling seems to be the new way. Sorry but most people will disagree with this and yes I also understand that its to keep costs down for manufactures to make one option and not a 3 door/5 door option but they just look wrong and whilst they may be a great drive I just can't get past the looks.
This is another example. I liked the last gen ST, they're a good looking car with performance to go with it but this new gen looks to 'soft-looking'. Technically on paper it seems to have some great ideas but reminds me of an smaller C-MAX MPV. The front fog and bumper design are almost identical to the new gen Corsa VXR, which is another design tragedy, but at least they both have a 3 door/5 door option.
May be they made it 'soft-looking' to make room for a more aggressive looking RS.....lets just hope they put Styling as one of the priorities!

[Michaelhunt]

The images show a 3 door version as well as a 5?

[skinnyman]

Personally think the latest Focus ST is the most aggressive and nicest looking so far, and actually looks better as an estate than a hatch.

I own one, so slightly biased opinion, but there we go.

[s m]

PhantomPH said:

NordicCrankShaft said:

Not a huge fan of 3 cylinder motors, awful sounding things.

You won't have to worry - the sound through the speakers won't sound anything like a 3-cyl.

I hope it sounds like the old Charade Gtti

Fantastic noise for a small car on full chat, especially with an aftermarket exhaust