Little Hero

30 December 2015 Redazione News, Tested

Words by Marco Mancino

Ford can do great cars and saying this I do not need to call in cause Her Majesty GT, not even the iconic Mustang. Instead I want to consider one of the smallest proposals from the brand of the blue oval: the new Fiesta, obviously the ST version, the one we and you are interested in. Long ago, coming into a Ford dealer, I was negatively surprised by the amount of cars considered “for the family”. I wonder – Do we really need 7 seats, an endless boot and a sad look in order to be useful in everyday life? – No, absolutely no. The Fiesta ST is small, economical, it has a great fuel consumption and the right power, still being able to be used 365 days a year, with no worries whatsoever. It will not turn people heads, but will be able to snatch a smile on our face, thanks to the very recipe that makes the small “all up front”, a perfect hot hatch, indeed, the best small sports compact we’d like to own today. The secret lies in the compromise reached between the lowered and stiffened suspension and the small but generous 1.6cc inline 4-cylinder that generates 180hp; a power which, in overboost, can graze close to 200 horses, thus translating a very low weight and a very short wheelbase, in a great handling and responsiveness worthy of deep respect. If its power and torque are exploitable through the entire range of the gas pedal, we give you another reason to look at this Fiesta with interest and this is called manual transmission. The 6-speed gearbox combined with the welcome third pedal amplify the pleasure of driving that, in a sports car of this size and this power (high in relation to its category, but not exaggerated like that you’d look at in bigger models) is required in order to transform a seemingly quiet everyday car in a little hero. A good hero, who does not shout its potential from the rooftops, but that in time of need will be there, ready to serve you.
How to distinguish the Fiesta ST from your aunt’s GPL model? The dual exhaust, for example, or the Recaro sports seats, or simply for the fact that this is going to be driven flat out, as if it were going to hurry up to its ultimate job: to entertain. Cheap, but fun. We like it.

FORD FIESTA ST (2014-)

Layout   –  front-engined, front wheel drive

Engine  –  4 cylinder 1.596cc – turbo

Transmission  –  6-speed manual gearbox

Power  –  180 hp @ 5700 rpm

                      240 Nm @ 1600-5000 rpm

Weight  –  1163 kg

Acceleration  –  6,9 sec.

Top Speed  –  220 kph

Price  –  from 18.500 €