The new Fiesta … it's got a lot to live up to! The Ford Fiesta ST delivers a lit of driving pleasure, as ROBIN ROBERTS found out

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), June 29, 2007

Byline: ROBIN ROBERTS

AS BABIES go, the Ford Fiesta ST has a lot to live up to. Its Focus and former Mondeo siblings were among the most desirable performance cars you could buy and the Fiesta racing series was always a hit with drivers and spectators.

Like everything else, time has smoothed the rougher edges to the Fiesta ST and the latest model series is considerably more refined than the former versions.

Not only is it easier to live with, it's appreciably comfier as well but it can still deliver a lot of driving pleasure when wanted.

The beefy two-litre engine packs a good punch but sometimes the baby fast Ford seems to dislike its petrol drink and hesitates during acceleration or momentarily complains when cruising.

From rest it pulls quickly most of the time and it will leap through the gears given a chance, cruise quietly at the motorway limit and still have a good reserve.

The surprising feature is that despite its performance the economy easily edges towards 40mpg without effort. The light clutch and direct five-speed gearchange are a good match to the engine while the steering's weight is not excessive but gives the car a tight turning circle and does not suffer from vibration or kickback over bad surfaces.

The steering feel, like that of the brakes, faithfully feeds back to the driver precisely what the car is doing beneath you and the Fiesta ST can be slowed or stopped with modest pedal effort and no drama.

I like the layout of the secondary controls close to the column and driver while the big, clear instruments are easy to read in any light. They are backed by a range of warning symbols.

On the fascia, the heating and ventilation is straightforward and the air conditioning works well to keep a comfortable cabin temperature aided by powered front windows.

A manual sunroof is an extra pounds 400.

Oddments space is reasonable though not exceptional but particularly good for those in front seats. The boot space can be increased from a minimum 250 litres to almost 900 litres with the rear seats folded.

Access is excellent into the front seats but you have to be agile to squiggle into the rear seats. Room inside is good, even in the back.

I would have liked more legroom in the front and some may find the sculptured seats not particularly comfortable with their wrap around sides.

Being a sporting hatchback the ride is always going to be firm but it is softer on the newest versions than the former series.

It copes well with most potholes and corners which deteriorate half-way around are just shrugged off without upsetting the Fiesta ST.

The sporty nature of the ST extends beyond its shape to its ability. You can drive it gently or with gusto and it responds to both equally well. With Ford's legendary low maintenance costs, allied with reasonable running costs, it's little wonder the baby ST is so adored.

I understand the temperamental nature to the ST engine is is fairly common and that's a shame. It is something which really needs to be addressed in a market where complacency can kill a car as better rival models emerge.

Facts and figures

Make: Ford

Model: Fiesta 2.0 ST

Price: pounds 13,622

Mechanical: 150bhp, 1,999cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gear box

Max speed: 129mph

0-62mph: 7.9 seconds

Combined mpg: 38.2

Insurance group: 13

CO2 emissions: 177g/km

BiK rating: 22%

Warranty: 3 years/ 60,000, 3 years paint, 12 years antirust

CAPTION(S):

MATURED - the latest Ford Fiesta ST is more refined than earlier versions