It’s time to say goodbye to one of the best hot shops around.
Ford confirmed Fiesta ST (or should it be FiST?) died in Australia due to supply challenges in Europe, where it was built. Greater ST focus are also being destroyed.
Only a handful of upgraded Fiestas arrived in Australia before the ax dropped, with a reworked look, updated interior and more torque than before. Why would we bother considering the upgraded FiST then, since it’s about to be phased out?
Ford says the number of vehicles available at dealerships is still limited, but we also wanted to say a proper goodbye to one of the best affordable sports cars we’ve seen.
How much does the Ford Fiesta ST cost?
In $33,490 before on-road costsFiesta ST vs Hyundai i20 WOMEN ($35,990, currently discounted due to demand) and Volkswagen Polo GTI ($38,850).
Like Hyundai but Unlike Volkswagen, Fiesta ST is manual only.
A black painted roof adds $500 to the sticker price, and premium paint is $650.
What’s inside the Ford Fiesta ST?
A little change behind the wheel with the latest Fiesta update. The analog dial is gone, replaced by a 12.3-inch digital cluster, and the Recaro seats have been replaced for Ford Performance-branded units.
The seats are still designed to hold slim drivers in place, meaning owners with wide backs will need to get used to being given a warm hug every time they drive.
The driving position itself is quite suitable for the size of the Fiesta, with plenty of space for tall riders to comfortably sit behind the wheel.
While the seat’s short base and tight fixation mean it’s not the most difficult place to spend a long time, you won’t feel exhausted if you’re pushing the city limits to get the Fiesta over. its steps.
All joysticks feel like quality items. The steering wheel is luxuriously designed, the gear lever is finished in cold metal and the handbrake is covered with soft leather.
There’s a lot of hard plastic around, but that’s tolerable in an affordable, compact sports car.
The dashboard is home to an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system running the same SYNC software as in the pre-updated model. It’s a solid system, with simple menus and neat layouts, but it looks a bit like a worker next to the signature widescreens of the Hyundai i20 N and Volkswagen Polo GTI.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wired, and CarPlay works flawlessly while behind the wheel.
It’s worth noting, however, that the wireless phone charging slot doesn’t do a great job of preserving the phone if you’re plugged in for reflection, and the cup holders aren’t shaped to make the iPhone 13 Pro Max feel comfortable. welcome.
The cup holders have space for coffee cups but no larger bottles, although there is a larger slot in the door.
Rear-seat space isn’t a strong point in any of these city hatches, although the five-door Fiesta is usable for a short period of time. Children and smaller adults will be fine in the back, but it’s not a welcoming space for anyone to approach fully grown up.
Of course, the same applies to its rivals, and with the choice to sit behind the FiST and the Subaru BRZ, the former is perfectly appropriate. With
Boot space is 311 liters with the rear seats in place, extending to more 1000L with them folded.
What’s under the bonnet?
Ford Fiesta ST 2022 is only available with one turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine manufacturing 147kW and 320Nm and mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
Power is sent to the front wheels through a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Fuel economy is claimed as 6.3L / 100km on the combined cycle, and the Fiesta ST drinks 95 RON premium lead-free.
How Ford Fiesta ST driving?
The Fiesta ST is one of the liveliest little shops around, but it doesn’t come at the expense of everyday drivability.
The compact engine is impressively adjustable in the low rpm range, happily pulling from around 2000 rpm in third place, despite the cleverly weighted clutch and smooth six-speed manual which means working the gearbox around town isn’t that difficult.
A dual-clutch option would be more city-friendly, but you don’t have to strain to maneuver this in traffic. The extra hint of weight you get here compared to the Hyundai i20 N really makes the clutch easier to adjust.
Without adaptive dampers and a short wheelbase, city travel is always quite hectic. You are always moving up and down, even though the way your body is controlled is tense rather than harsh.
It doesn’t hit potholes or through speed bumps, and tight body control means this feels more purposeful than a regular city hatch – that’s the point of course. It also pays off when the road gets interesting.
On bumpy roads, the Fiesta breathes with the surface instead of trying to slam it. Instead of being deflected by mid-corner bumps, the car sends them up and down.
The firm steering wheel instantly inspires confidence and the nose points where you want it to go.
You can throw it into corners and drop recklessly and the Fiesta will follow you, cling to the front and spin with ease. That’s thanks to some impressive electronic smarts that aid quality mechanics.
Along with a mechanical limited-slip differential that helps keep the wheels on the road, the Fiesta also features a brake-based torque transmission system that gnaws the inner wheels to keep the car from drifting. widespread. You can also flip through three modes for throttle and steering.
Even though electronic smart devices play games in the background, the Fiesta feels completely natural. You drive it like a classic car, slamming into corners, manipulating the throttle to bring the rear end, and then relying on the front differential to pull you out.
There’s plenty of torque to push the FiST out of corners, and the turbocharger trio is determined in the midrange when you hit the gas.
Unlike some small, turbocharged engines, the EcoBoost in the Fiesta tore through its revs without running out of breath, aided by the thumping three-cylinder sound. Despite the torque boost for 2022, it’s hard to feel much of a difference in how the ST performs in the real world – that’s not a bad thing, as it’s already a minor thing.
The six-speed manual is classic Ford Performance; super smooth and can glide through the portal at the speed of light. The pedals are perfectly placed to match the revs, which encourages you to jump from fourth to second on tight roads, rather than just leaving the car in third.
The engine produces an unusually loud, thumping three-cylinder that is aided by pops and cracks in Sport Mode. It’s a fun and Fiesta hit with a unique character.
When the journey is over and it’s time to go home, you can switch to sixth position, set the cruise to 100km/h and relax. A bit of a road roar from low-profile Michelins sneaks in, but the engine is smooth and quiet when cruising, and the stereo system packs a punch.
Its short wheelbase means it’s not exactly a natural highway cruiser, but this city car can get through town.
What do you get?
Fiesta ST highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Mechanical limited slip differential
- Launch control
- 12.3-inch configurable digital instrument cluster
- 8.0-inch Sync 3 . touchscreen infotainment system
- Satellite navigation included. Live traffic updates
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Premium sound with 10 speakers B&O
- DAB + digital radio
- Matrix LED headlights
- Adaptive high beam
- Selectable drive modes
- Leather and suede upholstery
- Electrically adjustable Ford Performance seats
- Neighborhood entry with push button start
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel, handbrake, gearshift paddles
- Cruise control
- Ambient light
- Single-zone automatic climate control
- Alloy pedal
- Rain wipers
- Rear parking sensor
- Reverse camera
To be Ford Fiesta ST safe?
The Fiesta ST has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, but the standard Fiesta has received a five-star rating based on testing done in 2017.
It scored 87% for adult occupant protection, 84% for child protection, 64% for pedestrian protection and 60% for safety assistance.
It comes standard with automatic emergency braking (AEB) with forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, traffic sign detection, anti-lock brakes and side curtain airbags. front, side and front.
Ford removed blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert by 2022.
How much How much does the Ford Fiesta ST cost to run?
Ford covers its range with a five-year, unlimited km warranty.
The Fiesta ST requires servicing every 12 months or 15,000 km – whichever comes first.
Ford offers four years of limited-price service. The first four services have a maximum price of $299.
CarExpert’s Undertaking Ford Fiesta ST
The Fiesta ST is still an absolute blast. It was a shame to have to leave Australia.
The Blue Oval has clearly focused on steering feel first and foremost, but this is by no means a one-trick pony. It’s a great size for city living, and less desirable when it comes to creature comforts.
It’s a pity that the Fiesta ST is finally a regular model – missing key safety features, instead of a special edition that builds on the car’s bubbly character even further.
However, we will take what we can get.
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THAN: Everything Ford Fiesta
