HOT superminis have always been good for business. And Ford have always been pretty hot at delivering them, right back to the Fiesta XR2 that started the trend in 1981.

But in recent years fast Fiesta fans have had to make do with the lukewarm Fiesta Zetec S. So feast your eyes on the return of the fast Fiesta. The flying Fiesta ST is set to turn up the heat on rivals such as the Renault Clio 182 and Peugeot 206 GTi 180.

The Fiesta ST will be a welcome boost to Ford's very competent but visually uninspiring current line up - the StreetKa and new C-Max apart. Ford have once again gone for subtlety with the ST when it comes to the visual treatment, which may disappoint those wanting a more ballsy approach. However, the ST will appeal to a lot more buyers who don't want to shout "look at me" with massive spoilers and tacky body kits.

You can instantly tell it's a Fiesta with a difference from the deep mesh front grille that merges into the front bumper and the chrome-backed spotlights that give the ST a hint of menace. Smart 17in, 11-spoke alloys and low-profile performance tyres, discreet side skirts, a rear roof spoiler and a fat exhaust complete the exterior changes. On the inside the ST treatment is more pronounced, with performance sports seats in black leather with bold red cloth and an ST logo, metal pedals and a new steering wheel adding the kind of racetrack glamour sporting drivers want.

But it's the tuned 2-litre engine that ensures ST drivers are a serious cut above the rest of the Fiesta pack. There are no official figures yet, but inside sources say that under 7.9 seconds for 0-60mph and a top speed in excess of 135mph should make it more than competitive.

The engine and chassis have been tuned by Ford's new Team RS performance arm and as the standard Fiesta is already top notch for handling the ST should be something rather special.

You'll have to wait until October for the ST, when I expect prices to be around £14,000. Ford will be hoping it repeats the cult success of the XR2, which sold 25,642 from 1981 to 1985. And with Ford boss Bill Ford Jr promising sexier models for Europe, the Fiesta ST is just the start of a line up of hot new Fords that will include souped-up diesel versions.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2004081470,00.html