Ford Fiesta ST Review: Hot Damn, It's Good

Under the hood

Forget calling this a 'warm hatch', the new Fiesta ST is an all guns blazing, hands-down-your-trousers-for-a-proper-fumble hatch of serious heat.

Ford has packed the ST with a 179bhp 1.6-litre EcoBoost unit, which gives Britain's favourite car a surprising turn of speed; 0-62mph is nailed in just 6.9sec and flat out you're getting on for 140mph.

Behind the wheel

Fun. Exciting. Brilliant. Effing epic. The Fiesta ST has all bases covered. Looks? Check. Comfort? These Recaro seats are snug, the cabin's well laid out (although it could do with a flash of colour) and the driving position is a winner too. Driving? Oh boy, were we in for a surprise...

First, let me set the scene; we're in France on the world's most famous drivers' road, the Route Napoleon. In front of us stretches mile after mile of twisting turns, tyre shredding hairpins and challenging corners, obviously carved into the mountain side by God himself. You'll forgive us for labelling Ford a bit cocky when they plonked us here in a bunch of Fiestas, then.

But strike me down and call me Juergen; the ST proved THE perfect weapon to tame Napoleon. Firstly there's its steering. It's weighty, direct and quick, which makes the Fiesta a superbly darty and focused machine. Some may criticise the Fiesta's steering as a little 'numb', but they're the type of people for whom nothing is ever good enough. We'll move on.

Thanks to the ST's brilliant suspension set up, the hot Fiesta's also a car you can 'throw' at corners. Grip levels are monumental, understeer negligible and fun guaranteed. Push harder than you would normally, and you'll feel the ST dance majestically on its limit.

Then there's the turbocharged engine that drags you out of every corner to goad you into the next. Because the ST is so light - 1163kg - in-gear acceleration is very strong. As is the aural drama that you'll experience when you kick through each gear and explore the engine's kahonas. Despite it 'only' being a 1.6, the ST sounds bloody great; it's growly when you treat the engine like a bitch, bassy when you're trundling along in a higher gear. And don't think this is achieved via the speakers. The ST's attributes are all natural.

What else? Ah yes. Despite an absolute hammering, the Fiesta ST's brakes - which feature rear discs for the first time on the model - proved strong mile after mile, only beginning to fade after serious abuse. The six-speed manual 'box (no flappy paddle nonsense here) is clean and crisp and pedal weights spot on too.

Splash the cash?

Put it this way. Were I in the market for a small, useable, well-priced and fun hatchback that my imaginary girlfriend would also like, I'd be at my nearest Ford dealer in a heartbeat. The Fiesta ST is sublime in every respect and - I'm going to say it - more fun to hoon than the also brilliant Focus ST.

A while ago I said that the BMW M135i was the best value-for-money car you could buy. Slightly reluctantly, but wholly deservedly, that crown now belongs to the breathtaking Fiesta ST.