Now MotorMartin loves a Ford, a small fast Ford especially but unfortunately, in MotorMartin’s opinion, the lack of a five door has always limited the Fiesta ST’s appeal to the family man. After all, anyone that has had to wrestle a booster seat in and out of a three door hatch, from any of the manufacturers, will testify how frustrating it can often be. So when the following news arrived up here in MotorMartin Towers, it was enough to make me close the latest issue of Classic Ford magazine, sit up and take notice. Blimey.
Ford then, are extremely proud to announce that their already impressive Fiesta ST compact performance hatchback is for the first time available to order in Europe in five-door bodystyle alongside the three-door model, a great decision I’m sure you’ll agree and one that MotorMartin is certainly pleased with.
The Fiesta ST five door, Ford say, offers additional practicality with easier access to the rear seats for passengers and for parents with small children, while retaining the performance and class-leading driving dynamics that earned the Fiesta ST more than 20 awards from around the globe during its first year on sale.
Ford have shared with MotorMartin that the model’s 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine delivers an impressive 182PS and 240Nm of torque, enabling 0-62mph acceleration in 6.9 seconds alongside 46.3mpg fuel efficiency and 141g/km CO2 emissions. And it’s not just the engine that will blow you away in Ford’s smallest ST as the Fiesta also includes a Ford Performance-tuned chassis which features optimised suspension, steering and brakes, supported by Enhanced Torque Vectoring Control – which applies brake force to the inside front wheel when cornering to improve road holding and reduce understeer without affecting speed – and three-mode Electronic Stability Control.
“Ford has now sold more than 38,000 Fiesta STs in Europe since we introduced the acclaimed hot hatchback in 2013, and growing numbers of customers have been asking us for a five-door version,” commented Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe to MotorMartin recently. “The Fiesta ST with five doors makes an affordable Ford Performance driving experience accessible to an even greater number of customers.” Absolutely.
It’s now been confirmed by Ford UK that the ST will be priced from £19,495 in the UK on ST-2 and ST-3 series from October and Ford predicts the Fiesta ST five door will account for 25 per cent of Fiesta ST sales in Europe. Exclusive Fiesta ST styling includes great looking 17-inch alloy wheels, unique grille, dynamic headlight design, and dramatic rear diffuser element for the exterior. Five available colour options include Race Red and Spirit Blue. Recaro seats and unique ST detailing feature for the interior.
As well as all of the above, Ford earlier this year also revealed the new 200 PS Fiesta ST200 – available in three-door bodystyle only – with 6.7 second 100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration, a Fiesta that really looks like it could rock MotorMartin Towers to its very foundations.
Where will you go?