Local fans of the Blue Oval’s performance-oriented models have had to wait nearly five years for the warmed-up version of the Fiesta known as the ST – after the previous-generation car stole the hearts of Ford lovers and hot-hatch enthusiasts. For the launch of the new Fiesta ST, Ford South Africa invited local media to Red Star Raceway in Mpumalanga to sample its new pocket rocket.
Right off the bat, it seems that the company’s got the formula right. With modern trends favouring a more subtle approach to styling, the Fiesta ST boasts an extrovert body kit and 17-inch alloy wheels that further accentuate the car’s wedge-like profile. The ST is available in five colours: white, black, blue, red and orange.
Inside, it’s immediately obvious that the ST means business with metallic touches here and there, a thick-rimmed ST-specific steering wheel, ST gear lever and metallic pedals. The driver and front passenger are seated in nothing less than Recaro pews, with thick bolstering on the cushion and seatback. My 90 kg 1,7-metre frame could just about fit comfortably, but I suspect larger South Africans would find themselves sitting on the front seats instead of in them. My only other gripe is that the driver’s seat doesn’t drop low enough for my liking, which makes me feel like I’m behind the wheel of a Ranger or Tourneo instead of an ST.
There’s more than enough room in the rear, too. Sharing the car with above-average-height occupants, I didn’t want for more space when I was perched on the rear bench. The Fiesta is laden with a generous level of specification, with such niceties as a Sony sound system paired to Ford’s Sync infotainment unit (with Bluetooth and voice control functionality), xenon headlamps and a four-year/60 000 km service plan. The only options on the list are rear parking sensors, metallic paint and an alarm system.
On the road, the Fiesta impressed with its effortless grunt. The 1,6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 240 N.m of torque from as low as 1 600 r/min all the way through to 5 000 r/min. Crossing the border from Gauteng into Mpumalanga, all that was needed to pass slower-moving trucks was a flex of the right foot. With 205/40 R17 rubber wrapped around its alloys, and with a stiffer suspension system to keep the Fiesta ST planted on the right surfaces, I did find it too skittish where the tarmac was less than perfect.
On the perfect surface of Red Star Raceway, the Fiesta ST was in its true element. The twisty circuit put the car’s electronic torque-vectoring system through its paces and electronics proved up to the task on the technically challenging 13-turn course. The ESP program has three settings, with the system being on by default. The driver can select sport mode or switch it off entirely, but sport allowed such a lot of wheelspin that I didn’t feel the need to turn the ESP off.
The four straights allowed for some exploitation of the 134 kW and hurried shifting, mostly with the second, third and fourth ratios of the six-speed manual gearbox. The ’box is slick and the clutch weighty, factors which add to the Fiesta ST’s excitement factor on and off the circuit.
The pocket-rocket segment is once again heating up. Volkswagen’s Polo GTI has ruled the roost for years now, but the forthcoming Peugeot 208 GTi and Renaultsport Clio 200 should have something to say about that. For now, the Fiesta ST seems to be the sure-fire winner on paper, and at R254 500 offers incredible bang for the buck. In the June issue of CAR there are driving impressions of all three newcomers, but don’t forget to look out for a comprehensive road test of the Fiesta ST in an upcoming issue as well.
Click here to watch a video of the Fiesta ST being put through its paces
Fast facts
Model: Ford Fiesta ST
Engine: 1,6-litre, four-cylinder, turbo petrol
Power: 134 kW @ 5 700 r/min
Torque: 240 N.m @ 1 600-5 000 r/min
0-100 km/h: 6,9 seconds
Fuel consumption: 5,9 L/100 km
Top speed: 220 km/h
CO2 emissions: 138 g/km
Price: R254 500