Ford Fiesta ST
Hot Fiestas have always been about providing cheap thrills to the masses. Ollie Stallwood finds out if the latest ST carries on the tradition...
At first glance the blue ST that we drove looked understated but smart, with the spoiler and side skirts giving it a subtle aggression rather than an all-out racer look. This can be easily rectified by going for the ‘Exterior Styling Pack’ which adds ‘over-the-top stripes’ (Ford’s words, not ours), side stripes, or a combination of both. Personally I would just stick to the side stripes. The ST has 17” alloys, a mesh grille and a lowered stance but overall it is difficult to hide the fact the design is starting to look slightly dated and it lacks the visual appeal of the Mini Cooper, Renault Clio Sport 197 and the Vauxhall Corsa VXR.
Inside it is everything you would expect from a Ford – the controls are well laid out, simple and everything works well. This car had supportive full leather seats (part-leather come as standard) which were easy to get comfortable in. Unfortunately I couldn’t help thinking it could feel a little more special considering this is the ultimate Fiesta. The worst part for me was the blue dashboard that looked like it had been inspired by an early Eighties Datsun.
Although the cabin is not an unpleasant place to be it could have been sportier.You quickly forget the cabin’s shortcomings however when you are on the move. The suspension is not as hard as a Corsa VXR and although this may not work to its advantage on a track on bumpy, urban roads it is easier to make progress and perhaps more fun. The Fiesta quickly brings a smile to your face and the chassis feels composed and lively. The steering has been made 10% quicker and has decent feel, making you want to push the ST harder and harder. The close-ratio gearbox has a short-shift and feels precise, allowing you to snick through the gears as you hustle the little Fiesta along.There is no shortage of grip from the Pirelli P Zero tyres and the Fiesta feels like it wants cock a rear wheel as you pile it into a corner. The front springs have been considerably stiffened and a revised design for the front suspension knuckle provides more negative
camber to the front suspension to generate more front end grip. The rear springs have also been stiffened and the dampers modified to suit the ST. The Fiesta feels agile, and at the same time is bags of fun, making you look forward to getting back in it every morning.Surprisingly the ST is the first Fiesta with rear disc brakes and 258mm x 22mm front ventilated discs have been fitted with larger calipers and pads from the Focus ST170, giving the car impressive stopping power. The 1999cc Duratec engine has 148 bhp but the downside doesn’t feel as quick as perhaps it should, sounding slightly course when revved hard. It has a low inertia fly-wheel and there is better throttle response than the Corsa VXR, but the Vauxhall is much quicker. The £13,622 Fiesta should do 0-60mph in 7.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 129mph, but the car feels brisk rather than red hot. This, however, doesn’t matter a great deal. The beauty of the Fiesta ST is that it is not too hard core, with with ultimate speed in place of any kind of refinement.
Somehow despite the power deficit of say the Corsa VXR or the Clio 197, but it is a lot of fun going from A to B. The whole package has a simplicity that is strangely endearing, and reminds you of the early Fiestas that may never have been the most sophisticated cars on the road but were often the biggest laugh.
Notwithstanding that, can't help thinking that perhaps this is the 'warm' version, and there will at some point (perhaps make that 'should') be a truly hot 'RS' version, like the Audi S/RS idea...
Oh, and shoot the proofreader
The latter was cheaper, handled better, looked better, was lighter, had a better engine, was more powerful and considerably faster.
A no-brainer. The Fiesta has a wheezy 2.0 litre from a Mondeo, and looks a van.
Sorry, I'm not a fan. Plus only 148 bhp in something not far shy of 1200 kg is not exactly exciting.
The latter was cheaper, handled better, looked better, was lighter, had a better engine, was more powerful and considerably faster.
A no-brainer. The Fiesta has a wheezy 2.0 litre from a Mondeo, and looks a van.
Sorry, I'm not a fan. Plus only 148 bhp in something not far shy of 1200 kg is not exactly exciting.
The vRS is a good car for what it is, as is the 182. Both 'hot' hatches of course but at different ends of the scale; vRS is warm and the clio is hot. The clio is raw, quick, handles much much better. The vRS on the other hand is the better all round car. When I say all round I am taking into account things other than performance, such as running costs, comfort etc.
I'd pick the Fabia as an only car and remap it, or take the Clio as a second / weekend car.
Quick enough, and great to drive. Yes not ultimately as quick as a Clio, but a damn good all rounder. Personally, I dont like Clio's interiors (great seats though) and the fiesta, although dull is well laid out.
Good review guys
I love the performance (I think it surprises people), looks and spec and touch wood, it has been reliable. I have however been in a re-mapped VRS and it was extremely punchy, if rather on and off.
Either way I feel the Fiesta is totally way of the mark for it's class or maybe it's because the 182/VRS/Corsa VXR/197 etc etc deliver more than people expect.
I love the performance (I think it surprises people), looks and spec and touch wood, it has been reliable. I have however been in a re-mapped VRS and it was extremely punchy, if rather on and off.
Either way I feel the Fiesta is totally way of the mark for it's class or maybe it's because the 182/VRS/Corsa VXR/197 etc etc deliver more than people expect.
I like the VRS, but dont forget, TG compared it with a Cooper, not a Cooper S, and if memory serves the Fiesta ST managed to lap quicker (Autocar I think) than a Cooper S, which must say something about the chassis and grip of the fiesta that it lapped quicker than the more powerful Mini, itself a great handling car.
You make your own choices... and I like these little Fords.
http://www.fiatsupasaver.com/ItemDetail.aspx?mID=2...
To be honest, if I could only have either one, I'd have the 182. It was still relatively economical, the vRS was not as much so as you might think if driven in the intended spirit.
The 182 was faster and handled better. It was also better equipped.
The vRS was more refined, felt more like a "barge" in a small package IMO. Diesel engine not as much fun to thrash.
Even so, the thought of a 182 as a weekend only car is puzzling to me. One reason I got rid of it for the ITR is because the 182 was just too refined and not focused enough for me. I wanted something RAW, but didnt have the budget for an Elise, and wanted something with some practicality, yet much of the focus and fun, so the DC2 fits the bill for me.
Even so, I'd still take the 182 over a Fezzy ST any day of the week. I'd probably take a vRS over one as well, as I just dont like the way the Fezzy looks at all.
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