RE: Ford Fiesta ST Edition | UK Review

RE: Ford Fiesta ST Edition | UK Review

Sunday 25th October 2020

2020 Ford Fiesta ST Edition (Mk8) | UK Review

For £27k you could buy a Puma ST... or the best Mk8 Fiesta ST yet



Perhaps more so than with any other type of car, the best hot hatches tend to be the uncomplicated ones. Obviously that applies to the classic Peugeots, VWs and Vauxhalls of this world, but also extends to the current day as well. The Honda Civic Type R is a true great, and yet still only available with a manual gearbox; the Up GTI weighs less than a tonne; and all those who've driven a BMW 128ti thus far speak of a better driving car than the M135i. The ti being the lighter, less powerful, less complicated BMW hot hatch...

Nothing extols the virtues of hot hatch simplicity better than the current Fiesta ST. Sure, the suspension uses advanced Tenneco RC1 dual-valved dampers, but they remain passive. Like the Civic, a manual gearbox is the only option. Even the drive modes, so often a bone of contention, are simple, and the car is great to drive without ever touching any button save the one that starts it. Beyond the Performance Pack, there isn't even much in the way of significant optional extras; everything is geared towards making the Fiesta ST accessible, simple, usable entertainment. Which is probably why it's so widely admired.

Ergo when it came to improving the car, Ford didn't attempt anything drastic. If the standard ST had a downside, it was probably a slight raggedness at the limit. Therefore a special edition addressed that with adjustable coilover suspension and lighter wheels, ideal for a more focused fast Fiesta. That car was the Performance Edition, 600 of them were made and it was brilliant.


This car, the Fiesta ST Edition, carries over the same Performance Edition upgrades. It differs from the old car in being Azura Blue instead of Deep Orange, and in being rarer: there were 600 of the Performance models, and there will be just 300 of these. They surely won't be around long; while orange has become a fast Ford colour (think five-cylinder Focus ST, Mustang and the run-out Focus RS Heritage) nothing resonates quite so well as a riotous Blue Oval flagship painted the colour of the badge. A Fiesta ST is already available in Performance Blue, but it looks a little limp against this vivid, attention grabbing Azura. It's easy to imagine prospective customers putting their name down just on the look, because it works so nicely - especially with the natty new wheels.

Inside the ST Edition is much like the standard car: the gear lever a little too low, wheel a little too big, seat a little too high. But there are good bits as well, with the Recaros that grab where they should, well-positioned pedals and decent instruments with - praise be - an easily viewable oil temperature gauge. So you know exactly when to go chasing 6,500rpm. For the Edition, the interior is jazzed up with additional blue stitching and carbon trim, plus a Sport button on the steering wheel. As found in the Focus ST, it gives immediate access to the mode probably used most, here obviously only adjusting throttle response, noise, steering and so on. Suspension alterations are going to take a little longer...

Having driven the new Edition on the same day as the Puma ST, it would be great to be able to tell you the differences between the two similar cars. But we're sworn to secrecy on the SUV until next month; while the Puma verdict is most likely the more interesting one, there's a little more Fiesta evangelising to do before we get there.


That's because, whether you've got into a Fiesta ST edition from a Ford Puma or from a Ferrari Roma, it's going to entertain. It's just one of those cars: vivacious, agile, up for a good time. A Fiesta is always small, light and direct, here it's hurried along by that tuneful and willing three-cylinder. There's nothing revolutionary about the experience but that doesn't matter, because it's a time honoured hot hatch recipe done very well.

Where the Edition improves upon the standard ST is right where you might expect: the handling. And although it'd be very easy to hunker down and firm up a Fiesta for ultimate track supremacy, that would rob the car of its mischievous side at road speed. The clever trick with this Edition car is that the fitment of coilovers has both retained the ST's scallyway sense of fun, and added a layer of additional finesse and sophistication to the way it drives.

So it's still mobile enough to be (amusingly) tweaked this way and that off the throttle, but earns its spurs (and justifies some of its premium) as you begin to drive harder. A track would surely show off its potential even more favourably, but the evidence of improvement is clear just from the road. The lower ride height means it turns even more keenly, for starters, changing direction like a housefly as the road winds out ahead. Where the standard car might just lose its composure the Edition is resolute, wheel and body control combining to ensure the Quaife limited-slip diff is delivering maximum traction and the driver given great confidence.


It all plays into the Fiesta's character perfectly, the rest of the package begging to be driven hard at every opportunity - and the suspension now there to lap up all possible punishment. That it does so while retaining admirable rolling refinement and comfort (also attributable to the slight unsprung weight saving of the wheels) is simply another in the long list of positives. It's a proper little riot. Don't be surprised if this coilover and wheel combo makes it to more Fiestas in due course - that Puma ST green would surely look great...

Moreover, while £27k looks a lot, it's easy to forget that Ford pricing is not always as simple as it seems. Because you're thinking a Fiesta ST is £19k; that was the launch price, after all. Well, not only does the range now start at the £22,275 ST-2, the Edition is based on an ST-3, and that'll set you back £25k. So another £2,000 for the suspension, the wheels, the paint (Performance Blue is normally £750 anyway) and the exclusivity on top of that doesn't seem too bad a deal at all. Some have already pointed to the Yaris GR's very enticing £30k entry point, and that shouldn't be ignored when the time comes to compare the Toyota. For now, however, we can just celebrate the fact that the Fiesta remains a fine hot hatch - one appreciably and amusingly improved with these Edition tweaks. If you're not one of the 300 people already on the waiting list, don't hang around much longer.


SPECIFICATION | 2020 FORD FIESTA ST PERFORMANCE EDITION (Mk8)

Engine: 1,497cc, turbocharged 3-cyl
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 200@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 214@1,600-4,000rpm
0-62mph: 6.5sec
Top speed: 144mph
Weight: 1,255kg
MPG: 42.8 (WLTP)
CO2: 149g/km (WLTP)
Price: £27,075

 








Author
Discussion

howardhughes

Original Poster:

980 posts

203 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
We have an ST Line Fiesta and have to say I think Ford have done a sterling job on this model. I'd love to try this though..albeit 27k is a lot of money.

GTEYE

2,092 posts

209 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
I like the car but I’m not keen on the price.

At £27k its a lot of money. For only £2k more you could buy a pre reg BMW 330i M Sport. Of course it’s not a valid comparison but the point is you can buy a lot of car when you’re pushing towards £30k

Twinair

641 posts

141 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
I’ve always liked ‘little’ fast(ish) Fords. Since the days of my orange fiesta Super Sport back in the day. But yep £30k is getting up there, used C63 M156 for example (not the same animal - of course) but hey ho, you pays yer money and takes yer choice, eh?! Like Ford’s tho... :-))

turnerc76

8 posts

45 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
That looks awesome! For my money i would have this Fiesta over a over big, warmed through BMW any day of the week.

HazzaT

449 posts

44 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
I like it a lot but I feel like for nearly 30 grand they could have gone for a sort of half-RS with 30ish extra bhp, rear seats out for a strut brace, fruitier exhaust with a bigger rear diffuser etc. I presume they didn't for fleet average emissions standards, but the chassis can easily handle the extra power. I'm probably taking mine in for a Revo Stage 1 soon

hammo19

4,898 posts

195 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
£27k for a Ford Fiesta? £21k pre registered Cooper S Sport with JCW pack is where I would place our money.

Nickbrapp

5,277 posts

129 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
hammo19 said:
£27k for a Ford Fiesta? £21k pre registered Cooper S Sport with JCW pack is where I would place our money.
Or one of these pre reg for £20k

My local dealer has ST3s up for £18k pre reg

RC1807

12,481 posts

167 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
hammo19 said:
£27k for a Ford Fiesta? £21k pre registered Cooper S Sport with JCW pack is where I would place our money.
Then the price difference would be made up from BMW priced servicing and parts. wink

J4CKO

41,282 posts

199 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
hammo19 said:
£27k for a Ford Fiesta? £21k pre registered Cooper S Sport with JCW pack is where I would place our money.
You are comparing discounted new pre reg with list price, doubt anyone will pay 27 grand for these, only valid way to compare is to go to a Mini dealer and a Ford dealer and get a quote off each.

There is also a perception that a Mini should cost more than a Ford, like for like, not so sure that really should be the case these days.

Nick928

340 posts

154 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
Makes the Yaris GR look like a bargain.

bmassey

190 posts

210 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
HazzaT said:
I like it a lot but I feel like for nearly 30 grand they could have gone for a sort of half-RS with 30ish extra bhp, rear seats out for a strut brace, fruitier exhaust with a bigger rear diffuser etc. I presume they didn't for fleet average emissions standards, but the chassis can easily handle the extra power. I'm probably taking mine in for a Revo Stage 1 soon
Fleet average emissions? Even when they're only making 300?

John811

6 posts

41 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
Hi ! I’m really interested in a Fiesta ST (a blue 5dr with Ford Performance coil overs). However, thus far I saw that there was no oil temperature. Then, in this review, I see there is an easy to read oil temp gauge. So, if there is one, where is it please ? In the instrument cluster (4.2 inches screen) ? In the central screen ?

cib24

1,115 posts

152 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
Is there any difference at all to the orange Performance Edition released last year minus the paint colour? It seems to me to be the same exact car.

JTN358AT

136 posts

137 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
1255kgs! That is quite heavy for a small hatchback. I wonder why it weighs so much?

cib24

1,115 posts

152 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
JTN358AT said:
1255kgs! That is quite heavy for a small hatchback. I wonder why it weighs so much?
Steel and safety gear.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
JTN358AT said:
1255kgs! That is quite heavy for a small hatchback. I wonder why it weighs so much?
It’s always hard to know what is included in that weight

However it doesn’t seem particularly heavy compared to stuff like Corsa VXR, Clio RS200, Polo GTi, 208GTI etc

Ultrafunkula

996 posts

104 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
John811 said:
Hi ! I’m really interested in a Fiesta ST (a blue 5dr with Ford Performance coil overs). However, thus far I saw that there was no oil temperature. Then, in this review, I see there is an easy to read oil temp gauge. So, if there is one, where is it please ? In the instrument cluster (4.2 inches screen) ? In the central screen ?
If it's like my Focus ST, it's in the central screen on the dashboard with the boost gauge. You have to scroll through the settings to get to it.

Bobby Lee

224 posts

54 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
John811 said:
Hi ! I’m really interested in a Fiesta ST (a blue 5dr with Ford Performance coil overs). However, thus far I saw that there was no oil temperature. Then, in this review, I see there is an easy to read oil temp gauge. So, if there is one, where is it please ? In the instrument cluster (4.2 inches screen) ? In the central screen ?
That’s a very strange buying criteria...

Helicopter123

8,831 posts

155 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
£27k, for a Fiesta.

yikes

ZX10R NIN

27,490 posts

124 months

Sunday 25th October 2020
quotequote all
GTEYE said:
I like the car but I’m not keen on the price.

At £27k its a lot of money. For only £2k more you could buy a pre reg BMW 330i M Sport. Of course it’s not a valid comparison but the point is you can buy a lot of car when you’re pushing towards £30k
A new 320i SE is £33935.00 a 318i SE £31590.00