Ford Fiesta ST-3 Performance Pack | PH Fleet
The final Fiesta ST was one of the best front-drive hot hatches ever - naturally Ben thinks he can do better...
I’m turning 40 this year. So by rights it should be the time I grow up a bit, buy something a bit more understated, and try to remember not to drive in my slippers. 'Should', being the operative word. My bright blue Fiesta ST and I are living proof that just because you get older, you don’t really have to grow up. That’s what I keep telling myself, anyway…
Nor should my insatiable appetite for modifying my cars begin to wane either. I bought WR21 ELH with a clear vision, so it was never going to stay standard for long. Out of the box, the Mk8 Fiesta ST is one of the most real-world fun hot hatches we’ve been blessed with this century - and probably one of the last. But there’s always room for improvement, right?
For one thing, there’s so much headroom for tuning in most modern turbocharged engines. They’re massively overengineered and then strangled to meet emissions requirements; the standard turbo will generally run out of puff before you start bending rods from a remap. Sure, adding more power will add more strain on certain parts of the car, but touch wood, I’ve never had anything horrific go wrong in my decades of modifying cars.
I already had a wishlist for ZeroNine Design long before I bought my Fiesta. The eagle-eyed among you will remember them from the PistonHeads Annual Service last year where we got chatting, and one thing has led to another. My original plan was to get one of their exhaust systems, an induction kit and stage one remap, but they quickly sold me on the benefits of a few other upgrades, too.
The OEM lower gearbox mount has the structural integrity of a Twiglet, so even if you aren’t adding more power, it’s essential for reducing engine roll and getting rid of wheel hop under hard acceleration. And their cast quickshift is another essential for any Fiesta too, removing any wooliness from the shift for a precise and firm gear change. Worth every penny.
Before adding more power, I’d normally advocate upgrading the brakes, suspension and ensuring you’ve got top quality rubber fitted. However, in this case, I love the way the Fiesta handles from the factory on the wrecked B roads around me, and even the standard single piston calipers up front pull the car up well, so I was curious to see if the car felt overwhelmed before taking further action.
As my car has the Performance Pack, it came with a Quaife mechanical limited-slip differential from the factory, so I had no concerns about it being able to put the extra power down to the road. I’ve started with a stage one remap, taking power from 207hp and 235 ft lb to 238hp and 275 ft lb. Let's not forget a kerbweight of 1283kg either.
The result? Total transformation. With a standard Fiesta ST, you can mash the throttle to the floor, and wait for it to wind up and put the power down. Now you actually have to drive it. Rather than revealing flaws, the additional power amplifies the Fiestas willingness to lift off oversteer, transferring weight more aggressively and making it much more entertaining to drive as a result.
Out of the box, it had just enough power to make you smile at sensible speeds, but now I find myself grinning like a Cheshire cat. The induction kit and exhaust system add the aural drama the car was missing with their whooshing, chortling, popping and banging (which can be mapped out if preferred), while helping to boost power with the increased airflow. The team at ZeroNine Design were also able to customise my launch control mapping for me, because I’m still a massive boy racer at heart and want to get as close to feeling like I’m driving a rally car as possible. And the lads at my local McDonalds will love it.
Driving along with the standard driving mode selected, you barely notice any difference - yet switch it into Sport mode, and it really comes alive. And most importantly, you can have fun all the time at sensible speeds, without risking losing your licence within a few seconds. With the additional power, I've decided the brakes do need upgrading next, but I’m undecided on whether to just go for braided lines and upgraded pads, or to splash out on 09 Design big brake kit.
I doubt it'll take long before I’m heading for a stage two remap with an uprated intercooler, although for now, I’m absolutely loving channelling my inner Elfyn Evans. And the one upside of this miserable weather we’ve had so far this year is that it makes the Fiesta even more of a riot to drive, which is exactly why I bought this car to enjoy all year round, while the MX-5 stays tucked up in the garage. We’ve got a bunch of PistonHeads track days coming up this year, so keep an eye out for the Fiesta coming to a circuit near you soon!
FACT SHEET
Car: 2021 Ford Fiesta ST-3 Performance Pack
Run by: Ben Lowden
On fleet since: November 2025
Mileage: 35,271
Modifications: 09 Design stage one remap, carbon induction kit, rear crossover pipe, throttle body elbow, GPF back exhaust system, roll restrictor, cast quickshift, oil filler cap, header tank cap, master cylinder cap, carbon battery clamp
The man maths in modifying cars means you can avoid the " need " to buy a new car car every couple of years, especially if you space out your upgrades.
So yes it can become expensive, and yes you never get your money back, but my average car purchase now lasts 9 years, so I avoid 3 sets of depreciation and have many more smiles per mile,
Currently in a similar weight Jcw with an extra 100hp up my sleeve after stage 2 remap for fundays and track days.
It really is the perfect car for British B roads, it s definitely a keeper.
Fab little car - not quite as "up for it and in your face" as the mk7, but better all round for that, and the fun is still absolutely there.
Also has a 09 remap.
I'd love to try one of these. A friend has a MK7 ST and it's a fantastic car, so always been curious about whether these are as good, especially as the interior is a lot nicer than the older car.
This is crying out for a set of the optional wheels from the special edition STs, as the standard wheels are the only real negative on these I think. They're just a bit busy (though the 18s are nicer than the 17s)
Only mod i have done is swapping out the lower torque mount to a Mountune version.
Car has been faultless - only the exhaust flexi pipe split, took a couple of hours to remove the cat and weld in a new flexi.
Only annoying thing is that i should get the oil pump belt changed at some stage - Ford has apparently shortened the change interval to 5 or 6 years. Timing chain has to come off to change the belt.
Not the greatest piece of design - but fortunately the job isn't too bad on these.
VAG has used oil pump wet belts on their 2.0TDi engines for ages and i have yet to see one fail though...
I think the 7 and 8 STs in particular are finding an older audience as they are relatively modern but have that old school hot hatch vibe we remember, they arent as needy as 80s hatches, tend to be cheaper and you can add a lot more power, and they arent as big and heavy as a lot of the modern stuff. I could go out and get an RS3 or A45, great cars but I dont think I would enjoy them as much, this has outlasted an M135i and a Golf R in our family, both good cars, but not as good at being a hot hatch, to me anyway.
Was enjoying the article until this bit which reminds me that the majority of these are driven by total tools.
I am in the minority with the Mk8 ST. I had one for two years and it was a roller coaster ride, disliking it immensely for the most part.
I found the seats very uncomfortable. The brakes were borderline dangerous (even with uprated pads). It just didnt live up to the hype for me.
The engine was pretty cool for its size/output. And a remap gave it a touch more zing.
Currently in a mk3 Megane 265 and its a far better car in everyway.
But then, different strokes for different folks and its a shame a small fun hatch is becoming a thing of the past.
I am in the minority with the Mk8 ST. I had one for two years and it was a roller coaster ride, disliking it immensely for the most part.
I found the seats very uncomfortable. The brakes were borderline dangerous (even with uprated pads). It just didnt live up to the hype for me.
The engine was pretty cool for its size/output. And a remap gave it a touch more zing.
Currently in a mk3 Megane 265 and its a far better car in everyway.
But then, different strokes for different folks and its a shame a small fun hatch is becoming a thing of the past.
The Megane is quicker and has more grip, but i'd say the ST is more fun. In terms of daily driver running costs the Fiesta also wins - as it's maintenance and fuel bills are a lot smaller.
And your comment about the brakes being borderline dangerous is curious. I know plenty of people who blast up and down the Alps and on trackdays with these only running upgraded pads without any issues.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff