Latest reviews
03 Dec 2004
It's been a week or two, so it's time to catch up with the latest press. Evo Magazine have been highly critical in their recent review, which is worrying considering that they loved the SportKa. Some patterns have definitely emerged in the early articles on the ST. Complaints about the smoothness of the engine have been frequent, and the most suprising common theme has been the criticism of the chassis.
Right now, though, the ST feels like an unfinished product, as though it hasn't been subjected to the final ten percent of development that smoothes off the rough edges and tightens the chassis' responses to the level that Ford is now renowned for.
The review in WhatCar is a bit better.
For: Whether you choose the Zetec-S or ST, you get one of the best-handling small cars around. The cabin provides a decent amount of space and equipment.
The Sunday Times have reviewed the ST and conclude "It's not as good as it should be - and these days and in this market that's not good enough." I'm sure Ford are listening.Against: The diesel-powered Zetec-S isn't quick enough and the ST needs to be worked very hard. Despite upgraded trim, the cabin remains as dour as other Fiestas'. MSN thought they were driving the RS - easy mistake to make isn't it? It's not as if the ST badge is very prominently displayed! There's some nice pictures in their review too. That just leaves Car Magazine and Top Gear to give their opinions. More soon. |
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AutoExpress road test
24 Nov 2004
AutoExpress magazine (UK) have road tested the Fiesta ST and Zetec S TDCi.
This is the first Fiesta equipped with disc brakes at the rear, and stopping power and pedal feel are good. Under the bonnet, the 2.0-litre Duratec engine may lack the ultimate output of more powerful rivals such as the Renaultsport Clio, but performance is brisk, with a near 130mph top speed, and throttle response sharp - 0-60mph arrives in around eight seconds. The tuned exhaust also gives a pleasant burble, but it does get coarse towards the 6,500rpm mark. Nevertheless, with leather sports seats and chrome details to brighten up the interior, the ST will bring a smile to the faces of fast Ford lovers.
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Autocar Magazine first drive
23 Nov 2004
The magazine that I respect most, Autocar, have finally got their hands on the Fiesta ST. Their article is impressive, covering 6 pages. Their findings are extremely interesting, but ultimately they feel the ST falls short in a few areas.
This is likely to be a controversial review, and the speculation has already kicked off in our forum.
The ST's chassis feels harder-edged, more precise and more physical than any standard Fiesta's, with modest body roll and genuinely keen turn-in. There's no doubting the quality of the damping or the rassuring reserves of grip. Or, come to that, the hugely powerful and deliciously progressive brakes. In short, the basic poise and fluency of the ST is appealing. It has a real sense of finesse and precision.
But it is not the blast that the Clio or Mini would be on these roads. You sense talent in the ST; you can almost taste the effort that has gone into making it more of a drivers car. But the plain truth is - Fiesta can't scale the same heights as the best of its rivals. Yes, the ST is well priced. And yes, it's more comfortable than the Mini. But the bottom line is this: when Ford decided to benchmark the Fiesta ST against the Peugeot GTi, they probably chose the wrong car. Driver satisfaction should have been the goal and the Clio (just £205 more expensive) the target. |
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More reviews
20 Nov 2004
Two more reviews in today. First up, The Sun believes the ST beats it's rivals despite being 30bhp down;
What hot hatch lovers really want to know is how quick the ST is and whether it delivers the handling.
The answer to the first question is bl--dy quick, thanks to a two-litre engine that delivers a thumping 150bhp, and it handles superbly, out-driving any of its hot hatch rivals.
The whole driving experience is spot-on. The slick gear change, precise steering and rock-steady handling and grip while driving at the limit mark the ST out as a special small car.
Ford have also been extremely competitive when it comes to price. At £13,595 the ST stacks up well against any of its rivals.
The second is at HonestJohn.co.uk. They preferred the TDCi to the ST, but read the review for yourself and see if you agree. They also have some very good news about the engine note. It will be interesting to see how it compares to my Focus RS - I'm definitely a believer in the 'Louder is Better' philosophy, although I do prefer a well defined sound rather than the typical aftermarket exhaust boom.
The exhaust pipe has been specially tuned to sound like a 1960s rally car. So the spirit of the original boy racer XR2 has been re-incarnated in the current Fiesta body.
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4Car claim to have test driven the ST
19 November 2004
4Car, a web based publication run by the UK's Channel 4, claim they have test driven the Fiesta ST and Zetec S. If this is true, they are the first to press. The weekly magazines and newspapers will most likely be next.
The review is not entirely positive, describing the driving experience as "strangely detached", "wooden" and "coarse". They do however concede that the styling has been successfully executed.
Ford is claiming that the Fiesta ST will 'protect the novice while rewarding the enthusiast'. Privately, Ford insiders say that safe handling was the absolute priority. And with a powerful front-wheel drive car, that usually means plenty of understeer as you approach the limit, which is one of the first characteristics you notice when pressing on in the Fiesta ST.
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Fiesta ST and XR2 in AutoExpress Magazine
18 November 2004
Yesterday's AutoExpress had two features on the Fiesta ST as part of it's 'Living Legends' issue. Their initial comments were positive with the promise of a full road test next week. This marks the start of the Fiesta ST's press attention which is sure to bring road tests and comparison tests in every mainstream motoring publication.
The ST picks up the original XR2's iconic status, and takes it further. As with the earlier car, it offers affordable fun and funky styling in an industry identifiable package. The newcomer doesn't so much live up to the legend, as move the game on, heralding a fresh breed of fast baby Fords - and promising genuine enjoyment and lively performance from behind the wheel. Expect this car to be an enormous success when it makes its showroom debut in the New Year.
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Latest Fiesta News
08 July 2004
AutoExpress have suggested that the Fiesta RS will produce at least 230bhp. This sounds like a lot to us - will a car as light as the Fiesta be able to cope with 230bhp through the front wheels? It also seems unlikely that they will be able to extract this much power from the Duratec 2.0 in naturally aspirated form, and a turbo would most likely push the cost of the car too high. However, we all expect that Ford's estimate of 180bhp will prove to be conservative. 200 horses sounds about right to us!
Anyone who still thinks that the Fiesta RS won't make production should note the updated interior and seats on the concept shown at the British Motorshow. Why continue developing a concept if it isn't destined for production? View the AutoExpress article... |
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Largin' it
Autocar, 30 Mar 2004
Autocar have run a front page news story on the Fiesta RS. They agree with us that production is pretty much a certainity and the official announcement is not much more than a formality.
No new facts were revealed, although Autocar seem sure that the Fiesta RS will be naturally aspirated.
They go on to the suggest that the Fiesta RS will out handle the Focus RS; as a former Focus RS owner this is an exciting prospect. It is suggested in the article that the main competitors will be the Clio 182 (obviously), the Civic Type-R (more straight line performance, but not so good around the corners), the Mini Cooper S and the Seat Ibiza Cupra. I don't think the Fiesta RS will have much trouble with that lot. Autocar think the RS will retail at around 16k, and the ST at around 12.5k in the UK. This seems a bit optimistic, but we'll keep our fingers crossed! It might be small, but Ford's 200bhp Fiesta RS will give the performance big boys more than a little to think about.
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Sweet Little RS
Autocar, 09 Mar 2004
"Hot on the heels of big borther Focus comes the Fiesta RS: 200bhp, butch body kit, 16k and here in two years. Start saving.
Ford sprung one of the biggest suprises at this year's Geneva show: a red-hot Fiesta RS. The Blue Oval hopes to repeat the success of the hottest Focus with its second Rallye Sport model in as many years."
More...
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Ford Fiesta RS Concept - First glimpse of a radical, rally-inspired Fiesta for the road
Official Ford Press Release, 02 Mar 2004
Although the project is still in its early stages of development and public reaction will help determine its progress, power output for a production model of the front-wheel-drive Fiesta RS Concept would be in excess of 180PS , with a target zero-to-60mph figure of around 7 seconds.
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Blast from the past as XR2 returns
AutoExpress, 25 Feb 2004
"It's time to dust off your basedball cap and dig out those Duran Duran albums - the XR2 is back! Even Ford admits that the new Fiesta ST owes its existence to the Eighties hot hatch favourite, beloved of boy racers for nearly a quarter of a century. "
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XR2 Reborn as a New Fiesta ST
Autocar, 24 Feb 2004
"All fast Fords launched from now on will be called ST, dropping the power outputs that are attached to today's Focus ST170 and Mondeo ST220. That still leaves space above the ST for more extreme RS and Cosworth-badged models."
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Ford Launches Fiesta ST
CARkeys, 23 Feb 2004
"Ford is using the Geneva Show to introduce the first sports version of the current Fiesta, badged as the ST and in direct line from the XR2 and XR2i of previous years. The announcement gives plenty of warning of the arrival of the new car, because it won't be in the showrooms till the end of this year."
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Return of the Fast Fiesta!
Official Ford Press Release, 23 Feb 2004
"New Fiesta ST marks the return of an exciting performance road car to Ford's acclaimed small car range.
Powered by a responsive 150PS, 2.0-litre Duratec ST engine with performance chassis modifications.
Designed around driving fun, it recaptures the youthful spirit of the original Fiesta XR2i.
Prices to be announced nearer to launch at the end of 2004."
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Fasta Fiesta
The Sun, 20 Feb 2004
"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.
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."
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Ford's fiery Fiesta 170
Autocar, 09 Apr 2003
"Ford isn't worried about the ST Fiesta stealing sales from the Focus ST170, as the Fiesta's launch will coincide with the Focus Mk1's run-out. It's replacement is due in spring 2005. The 170bhp power output would leave the way clear for a 200bhp RS version to cap the Fiesta range, based on the RallyeConcept show car from last year's British Motorshow."
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Super-Fiesta bang on target
Autocar, 04 June 2002
"Our computer-generated image reveals the look of next year's hottest Fiesta, the ?14,000 ST150, toting 150bhp. It will hit the 60mph benchmark in less than 8.0sec, making it the fastest Fiesta yet. Other versions of the sporty three-door Fiesta - very different in style from the five-door - go on sale in the UK later on this summer."
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