Corona instead of carnival: Cologne is in mourning this spring. But Ford takes heart and brings the fun back to the road with the Fiesta ST Edition. Because the little prince has never been so lively - and drives much longer than just until Ash Wednesday.
In the end, the boardrooms of automakers were a fun-free zone and they had little to laugh about at Ford either. Very few think about pleasure and performance. But while they are crushing the particularly potent model variants on this side of AMG & Co, the joy of driving on the banks of the Rhine cannot be spoiled. On the contrary: Although the Fiesta as an ST is already one of the most fun small cars on the market, the Cologne-based company is now sharpening its little prince again and is selling it as an edition model for a whopping 32.000 euros.
Performance remains the same
At first glance, this is just a disdainful special series, which for just under 7.000 euros surcharge also appears outrageously expensive. Because nothing changes on the 1,5-liter Ecoboost engine. It remains at 200 hp and 290 Nm as well as a sprint value of 6,5 seconds and a top speed of 230 km / h. And the pithy sound of the flap exhaust is also known from the normal ST.
But if you take a closer look, you will discover two items on the list of extras that make a big difference: instead of conventional springs, there is a coilover kit with adjustable pulling suspension that is tailored to the Nürburgring, in addition to the accessories in glossy black or the ST projections from the exterior mirrors. and pressure level. And for more traction and less tugging of the steering wheel when cornering quickly, the Cologne-based company can also install a front axle lock on request. And there are also new 18-inch rims, each weighing almost two kilos less. “It is well known that the agility of the Ford Fiesta ST stands out among the sporty small cars. With the adjustable chassis, the handling properties can now be optimized in a targeted manner, ”says Stefan Münzinger, who is responsible for the performance vehicles in the European Ford fleet, summarizing the fitness training for the Fiesta.
Power pack
The result is an experience like after a long sip of energy drink: the already lively ST looks alert and incited and can hardly keep its strength in check. Like a racehorse before the start, he scratches his hooves and is eager to finally be let off the leash. Out of the city, into the foothills and up on the gas - this is how the power dwarf, which is exclusively painted in nitro blue and only offered as a three-door, becomes a poison dwarf that takes corners in a storm, flies over the crests and revs up on the straight with relish. Of course, despite the lock, the steering still has to struggle a little with the influence of the drive, in rain or even snow the tires hardly get the power to the road and on the autobahn the little athlete has to let bigger competitors pull too early. But on a lonely mountain and valley railway, Fiesta feels furious, with reduced ground clearance and lowered center of gravity thanks to blue-painted sport springs, it claws even more firmly into the asphalt and drives the adrenaline level up with every burst of gas. Regardless of whether Taunus, Sauerland or Black Forest - while the driver is well held by deeply cut Recaros and his hands clenched firmly into the new sports steering wheel with the practical direct selection button for the sharp driving profile, every low mountain range in this car feels like the Eifel and the Nürburgring just a leap away.
The little power man came into the trade at a time that could hardly be better. Because after Corona has already spoiled the carnival for Cologne, Ford is at least bringing some fun back to the streets. And those who are behind the wheel of the Fiesta ST are even happy when there is no Rose Monday procession - after all, they have a free run.
Technical data
Three-door, five-seat small car; Length: 4,07 meters, width: 1,74 meters (width with exterior mirrors: 1,94 meters), height: 1,47 meters, wheelbase: 2,49 meters, trunk volume: 292 - 1.093 liters
1,5 liter three-cylinder turbo; 147 kW / 200 PS, maximum torque: 290 Nm at 1.600 - 4.000 rpm, front-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission, 0-100 km / h: 6,5 s, Vmax: 230 km / h, standard consumption: 6,6 liters / 100 kilometers, CO2 emissions: 149 g / km, emissions standard: Euro 6d, efficiency class: C, price: from 32.000 euros
In brief
Why because a little more heat never hurts
Why not because he sometimes lacks the four-wheel drive to bring the power to the ground
What else the VW Polo GTI, the new Hyundai i20N or the GR Yaris from Toyota
When does he come from now on
