The most powerful version (200 hp) of the Ford Fiesta 2017 range retains the ST name of the previous model. It is for sale with bodywork of three and five doors, from 24 995 euros. This price is higher than that of many of its alternatives (of passenger cars between 3.9 and 4.1 meters in length with power between 180 and 210 HP). Ford has told us that, at the moment, it does not plan to include an official discount, but there will be some promotion that includes optional equipment without additional cost.
The main difference compared to the previous model is in the engine, which now has three cylinders and is a solution not used by its main rivals, which are the Peugeot 208 GTI, the Renault Clio RS the Volkswagen Polo GTI or the DS 3 Performance. How is it (that, among other things, has two injectors per cylinder). The gearbox is six relations manual.
I thought the engine was very good. There is nothing to suggest that it is three cylinders (neither by noise nor vibrations). The best thing is, possibly, is that it has a very intense thrust in a wide range of revolutions. I also liked that there is hardly any delay between when the driver presses the accelerator and the thrust comes. At half speed it has enough strength to move with great agility in all kinds of roads, but, also, climbs quickly and without losing much strength.
The sound produced by the engine at idle is resounding and serious, especially when starting cold. In progress, it is amplified into the passenger compartment in two ways: by means of a valve in the exhaust that lets more or less flow through, and by means of an electronic emulator that acts through the speakers.
The sound of the engine and the firmness of the suspension can be excessive for those who look for a comfortable vehicle and to use it very frequently. I think the Suzuki Swift Sport is more appropriate for such use, but also less fast (it has 140 hp). It is possible that the Volkswagen Polo GTI, whose power is similar to that of the Fiesta, is more comfortable for day to day and less exciting.
Fiesta ST can be one of the best cars of its kind for those looking for strong driving sensations. Thanks to the characteristics of its suspension the driver feels the supports well, and the rolling and pitching of the body are very small. The direction, faster than that of any other Fiesta, allows you to change trajectory with a small movement of the steering wheel.
The three clearest rivals for this car are the Renault Clio RS, the Peugeot 208 GTI and the DS 3 Peformance. All are very suitable for those looking for a fully sporty vehicle; I do not know which one can give more satisfactions or be more effective in the curve without testing them in the same circumstances. In any case, it is very possible that the differences between one and the other are of nuance. The differences in performance (acceleration and maximum speed) between them are also nuanced. Regarding consumption, the one that spends the most is the Ford Fiesta.
As a novelty, through a button on the dashboard you can select three driving modes (Normal, Sport and Track) that modify the response of the steering, the engine, the sound of the exhaust pipe and the operation of the stability control. In Track mode, the traction control is switched off and the stability control allows the rear axle to slide slightly before acting. As standard, the Fiesta ST has the ” Torque Vectoring Control ” function (improves the traction capacity through the punctual use of the brakes). Optionally you can order a self-locking differential manufactured by the specialist Quaife. The ” Launch Control ” system is also optional , allowing you to exit from a standstill with the maximum possible acceleration.
The Fiesta ST looks different from the rest of the range because it has different bumpers, larger exhaust outlets and a rear spoiler. The seats are made by RECARO and hold the body very well. The position at the wheel is good, although some drivers will find that the gear lever is too low and far from the steering wheel. A specific blue color (Performance Blue) is available for the body.
The multimedia system that Ford has used is the SYNC 3. It is operated through an 8-inch touch screen (standard) and has compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also it is of series a sound equipment of the specialist Bang & Olufsen or a headlights of ledes. The rest of the equipment features are common with the Fiesta 2017 range.
2018 Ford ST Specs
The body is 8% more rigid than the previous model, but this is not something unique to the Fiesta ST, but is a common feature of the current Fiesta compared to the previous generation.
What is unique in the Fiesta ST is the suspension, which has changes to improve the accuracy and response curve. The torsion bar of the rear axle, with a torsional strength of 1,400 Nm / degree, is stiffer than any other Ford Fiesta . Another difference is in the springs, of “vectorization of force” (this is what Ford calls them). They are designed to reduce the loss of alignment in the rear wheels before great lateral efforts. A loss of alignment means that the contact footprint of the tread with the floor is reduced.
The loss of alignment occurs – at least in part – by the deformation experienced by the bushings that connect the torsion shaft to the wheels. It can be counteracted by installing very rigid ones, but this solution supposes a loss of comfort.
The force vectorization springs of the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST are designed in such a way that, when compressed, they create a lateral force component that compensates for the loss of wheel alignment. This means that you do not have to resort to very rigid casings. Ford says it is the first time they are used in automotive.
Some manufacturers, to achieve a similar effect, add a parallelogram of Watt to the rear axle of torsion. However, Ford has rejected this solution because it adds much weight to the whole suspension (Ford estimates that about 10 kg).
The shock absorbers of the Ford Fiesta ST are also some Tenecco model RC1, harder than those that carry the rest of Ford Fiesta. They have mechanical valves that allow greater oil passage when the movements of the wheel are slow and wide than when they are short and fast.
In addition, there are changes in the direction, which is more direct (the reduction is 12: 1, instead of 14.6: 1) and in the brake system, which has larger front discs (diameter 278 mm and 23 thick, compared to 262 x 23 mm from the rest of Ford Fiesta). The rear discs are the same size as the Fiesta with a motor of more than 100 HP.
The tires can be 17 or 18 inches in diameter. In the first case the tires are about 205/45 R17 and in the second about 205/40 R18.
The engine has 1.5 liters of displacement, supercharging by a turbocharger (Continental RAAX, different from the previous Fiesta ST and designed to increase the boost pressure more quickly and minimize the delay in power delivery) and combines direct and indirect injection (as, for example, a Volkswagen Golf GTI ). It has a function that deactivates the valves and the fuel supply of one of the cylinders to reduce consumption when little power is requested (that is, it makes it work with only two cylinders).