Local Life - Wigan - April 2019

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also a lot of technology
shoehorned into the
Fiesta ST, which makes
the car a pleasure to live
with. Tech includes rear
parking sensors, keyless
entry and automatic air
conditioning.
As you would anticipate,
the regular Fiesta’s body
has been jazzed up for
the ST, and it is now 14
per cent stiffer due to
some additional bracing
on the Ford’s underside.
At the rear, there is a new stiff twist-beam torsion
bar, and there is a completely new steering rack at
the front. These are the most radical parts of their
type ever installed into an on-road performance
Ford. The steering is also 14 per cent quicker than
the withdrawing Fiesta ST200.
What’s more, Ford Performance has added Ride
Control 1 valving. What is that, you ask? Well,
basically, the damping hardens when you are
hammering into corners and relaxes off when you
are taking it easy cruising along. Torque vectoring
springs have also been built-in to give a snappier
turn-in; it is all ingenious stuff for a sub-£23,000 hothatch.
But that is not all when it comes to the Fiesta ST’s
technology and engineering. For the first time, a
limited slip differential has been incorporated into
the Ford, too; it’s part of the £850 Performance
Package which also comprises ‘Performance Shift
Lights’ and launch control.
The Blue Oval’s fierce little beast fires from 0-62mph
in a mere 6.5 seconds and has a maximum speed of
144mph. Furthermore, selectable motoring modes
permit you to elect relaxed or sportier settings for
the steering, exhaust and, of course, the accelerator.
The modes - Normal, Sport and Track – each build
up weight, noise and response the higher up the
selection you go. In Track setting the traction
control is turned off and the stability control is
switched to ‘wide-slip mode’.
Certainly, the fresh Ford Fiesta ST is a talented
hot-hatch that represents top value performance
for weekend amusement. Only its overly sensitive
steering and shuddering suspension might put you
off using it as your daily ride.
Fast Facts
• 0-62 mph: 6.5 seconds
• Combined mpg: 47.1
• Engine layout: 1,497cc 3-cylinder petrol turbo
• Max. power (PS): 200
• CO2: 136 g/km
• Price: £22,895