Ford’s Fiesta ST has long been the thinking person’s fast hatchback.
This latest one is no exception. With 182PS on tap, it keeps things real and the pricing looks great as well. Ford has certainly put down a serious marker here.
The plushest ST2 version adds the LED daytime running lights, privacy glass, a power starter button, upgraded Sony audio system and grippy Recaro sports seats.
As much fun as the old Fiesta ST was, its downfall was easy to pinpoint. It had 150PS and sold for not much less than £14,000. For only £200 more than its asking price, you could buy a Renault Clio 182 Cup. Game over.
Ford’s determined not to fall into that trap this time round and has gone about equipping the latest Fiesta ST with the firepower it needs to succeed in its price bracket.
The engine is a 1.6-litre turbocharged 182PS Ecoboost four-cylinder unit that’s good for 177lb/ft of torque.
That translates into a sprint to 62mph of just 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 137mph.
Ford has developed new chassis and suspension components to improve the ride quality and refinement of the car.
Unique suspension and steering tuning and better Torque Vectoring Control (eTVC) combines with a 15mm lower ride height to deliver the requisite dynamic improvements over what is already a very good chassis.
The big front grille works well with the ST’s more extrovert body styling. That runs to an imposing black honeycomb trapezoidal front grille, plus a large rear spoiler with twin air vents and twin exhaust. Colour choices including Molten Orange and Spirit Blue and an optional style pack adds red brake calipers and grey alloy wheels to pump up the aggression a bit.
It’s hard to see how Ford could have done a lot better with the Fiesta ST.
An integral part of bringing a warm hatch to market is managing costs and it’s here that the Ford really plays its trump card.
It gets 47.9mpg on the combined fuel economy cycle and emissions are rated at just 138g/km – but the biggest draw is certain to be the price tag. At just £17,000, the base model is very tempting and even in the £18,000 ST2 guise we’ve looked at here, it still strongly pays the value card. What’s not to like?