Road Test: 2013 Ford Fiesta ST

The 2013 Ford Fiesta ST has arrived to European markets. The new Fiesta ST offers lot of same qualities as its big brother, Focus ST, but in some cases it might be even more capable.

Under the bonnet of the new Fiesta ST is a 182 horsepower version of the 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine. It provides quite impressive performance for this sportiest version of the Fiesta. ST can sprint from zero to hundred km/h in 6,9 seconds and reach top speed of 220 km/h. Perhaps even more important than the car’s maximum performance is its top torque. Turbocharged engine delivers 240 Newton metres of torque that is available on a really wide rev range between 1600rpm and 5000rpm. With the overboost function, you can get 290 Nm of torque delivered for a short moment. This is useful especially when overtaking. The maximum power of 182 horsepower is delivered at 5700rpm. Naturally the Fiesta ST is most fun when keep the revs a bit higher and enjoy from its performance, but thanks to the huge torque available at lower revs, it is really comfortable also as a daily driver.

The power is delivered to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, which works great with the turbocharged engine. The sixth gear has a quite long gear ratio which helps to keep the revs lower, and improves driving enjoyment and economy on a longer journeys.

In addition to the bigger engine, lot of changes have been made to the ST model compared to the standard Fiesta. The suspension has been lowered by 15 millimetres to drop the center of gravity closer to the ground. Stiffer suspension settings reduce body roll and improve stability in tight corners. Driving experience is further enhanced with electronic Torque Vectoring Control (eTVC) system. The eTVC applies brake force to the inside front wheel to reduce understeer during hard cornering. Fiesta ST’s electronic stability control has three modes, full, limited intervention, and de-activation. Fiesta ST is also equipped with rear disc brakes for better stopping power.

Ford cars usually have excellent steering, and luckily, the new Fiesta ST is no exception. The steering feel is very good even though the car is equipped with electronic power steering. It provides a very direct contact to the road. With a good steering feel, driving through corner is a real joy. You know exactly how much you have to turn the steering wheel before you enter the corner. Compared to the standard Fiesta, ST has a sharper steering ratio of 13.69:1 and a shorter steering arm for a more direct response. On a curvy mountain roads, the Fiesta ST feels very agile. With its stiff suspension settings and excellent steering, the Fiesta ST could quite easily survive from even more powerful engine, but it doesn’t really need it. It provides quite enough fun as it is.

Sounds are a big part of the driving experience when driving with a sportier model. Fiesta ST features the sound symposer which was first used on the new Focus ST. The sound symposer provides an enhanced soundtrack for driver and passengers inside the car, while on the outside the car sounds very civilized. These sporty sounds are quite nice addition, but in some point, it would be nice if you could turn it off. At steady speeds the Fiesta ST is comfortably quiet.

Even though the new Ford Fiesta ST is everything you might hope for from a hot hatch, it also works great as your daily driver. Even with the stiffer suspension and the Recaro seats it is surprisingly comfortable. Only problem could be the lack of rear doors. In Europe the new Fiesta ST is only available as a three-door version, while in the US it is offered with all five doors.