Ford Fiesta ST Beats Toyota GT86 on the Track in EVO Test

It’s not the first time the Toyota GT86 (Scion FR-S) is compared with a front-wheel drive hot-hatch and it’s not the first time it loses when it comes to speed. In this latest test from the UK's EVO magazine, the GT86 proves to be slower round the Bedford Circuit than the Fiesta ST by a significant 1.2 seconds.

I know everyone says how fun the tail-happy Toyota is to drive, but doesn’t speed matter at all for all the GT86’s fans? If I were to buy a €29,000 ($37,990) rear-wheel drive sports car, I wouldn’t like it to be slower than a less-powerful €20,000 ($26,200) front-wheel drive hot hatch. I would probably hate it, to be honest.

Read more »

Lowrider Fiesta Doesn't Look So Cool Now, Does It…

There's only so low you can go with your car before it becomes an unmanageable problem – just ask these cheerful at first fellas rolling around in their lowrider Ford Fiesta (possibly the Brazilian market model, if we're not mistaken) looking and acting cooler than a bucket of cucumbers in the Arctic Pole. Read more »

Foolish Rally Fans Are a Split Second Away from Becoming Roadkill

Remember Group B-era rally footage when fans used to stand on the special stages and then clear the roads seconds before the cars arrived? It looks like this irresponsible behavior continues into 2013, as proven by this footage from the Acropolis Rally in Greece that ended on Sunday. Read more »

Ford Fiesta ST vs Peugeot 208 GTi vs Renault Clio RS in Autoexpress Test

There has not been a greater time in recent years for purchasing a relatively affordable, yet fun and efficient hot hatch. We made a list of all of them here, which includes the three cars reviewed together by British magazine AutoExpress: Ford Fiesta ST, Peugeot 208 GTi and Renault Clio RS. Read more »

Chris Harris Drives the Ford Fiesta ST, Makes Theoretical Comparison to Renault Clio RS

Chris Harris may have driven the new Ford Fiesta ST, but he says that he will wait until he gets behind the wheel of one of its main rivals, the paddle-shifting Renault Clio RS, both on the road and the track, before passing final judgment on the Blue Oval's hot hatch.

However, he begins the comparison in his latest video review of the former, and asks several questions, important to those in the market for such a vehicle.

Read more »

Ford Receives 3,000 Orders for the Fiesta ST, More than Half Are from the UK

Ford announced that it has received 3,000 European orders for the new Fiesta ST since the car reached dealerships in March. The markets where the Fiesta ST was most wanted were the UK, Germany and Switzerland.

More than half of all models sold to date went to the UK, with Germany and Switzerland ranking next. The most popular color chosen by Fiesta ST buyers was the Spirit Blue, requested in 27 percent of orders. Frozen White and Race Red followed next.

Read more »

Euro Test Drive of Ford’s Hot Fiesta ST

The new Ford Fiesta ST, despite being the most affordable hot hatch in its class, is racking up positive reviews from around the world, and it can now add another under its belt, by Carbuyer.

The video posted below is a full test of the Blue Oval’s hot supermini, and it gives the impression that just like with the Focus ST, which is one of the cheaper hot hatches, but from the class above, Ford has succeeded in delivering a competent car.

Read more »

Ford and Schaeffler Demonstrate Their RWD, All-Electric eWheelDrive Fiesta

Not too long ago, we’ve posted a story about how German company Schaeffler converted a conventionally-powered Ford Fiesta into an all-electric, rear-wheel-drive model, powered by two independent electric motors placed inside each of the rear wheels. Ford has now released more details and photos, plus a video showing how the electric Fiesta works. Read more »

German Company Creates Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Electric Ford Fiesta

One direction cars of the future are going towards is modularity. Sure, everybody talks about platforms nowadays, but we still have a long way to go before the you'll be able to jump to the garage, and turn your pickup into a coupe, by lifting off the body and putting on a different one. The chassis could be adjustable in wheelbase and track, and therefore different handling characteristics could be obtained.

However, before we get there, we must first advance the technology for in-wheel electric motors. Without them, all of the above would be considerably more complicated. Thankfully, work is being done, and this rear-wheel drive Ford Fiesta, which was modified by Schaeffler, in Germany, is among the most advanced of its kind.

Read more »

Ford to Debut an All-New Concept Model at the Shanghai Auto Show

Ford has announced it will reveal an all-new concept car at the Auto Shanghai 2013 on April 20. The U.S. automaker hasn’t provided any additional details on the study other than the car will have its global premiere at the show. Read more »

New Peugeot 208 GTi and Ford Fiesta ST Video Reviewed by HonestJohn

As we’ve stated on several other occasions, hot hatches are a very special type of car. No wonder the MK.I VW Golf GTI and Peugeot 205 GTi made such a mark in their day, because they offered it all for the person who didn't want to give up practicality and space, in the detriment of outright performance, at relatively affordable prices.

This is why the latest Ford Fiesta ST, and its rival from France, the Peugeot 208 GTi are very eagerly awaited by boy-racers, as well as middle-aged men suffering a mid-life crisis on a budget. The financial part is what really attracts buyers, though, and here the Ford comes out on top, because it is the cheaper option in the UK.

Read more »

Ford Handling Specialist Hoons the New Fiesta ST on the Lommel Track

The 2013 Ford Fiesta ST is the second model in a new line of Sport Technology-branded models aimed at a global audience. Following in the footsteps of its appreciated bigger brother, the Focus ST, the Fiesta ST needs to be fun, very quick and cheaper to buy than the competition, like the new Renault Clio RS 200 EDC, Peugeot 208 Gti, VW Polo GTi or its derivatives.

The Clio is the hottest of the bunch, but the Fiesta is only 20 hp down on the French model, it undercuts it on price, and with the recent facelift, it looks quite racy and modern, as well.

Read more »

New Ford Fiesta ST Priced from £16,995 in the UK

Ford has released UK pricing for the new Fiesta ST three-door hot hatch ahead of its market launch in March. It will be offered in two trims, with the base ST model starting at £16,995, which Ford says is "up to £2,000 less than the segment competitors", and the better-equipped ST2 grade, priced at £17,995.

The performance-orientated version of the updated Fiesta series features a 1.6-liter turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine producing 180hp (182PS) and peak torque of 214 lb-ft (290Nm).

Read more »

Ford to Sell 2.2 Million Vehicles in the U.S. this Year, Has 3 Best Sellers in the World's Top 10

The Blue Oval has announced that U.S. sales of its Ford brand will surpass the 2.2 million mark in the year that ends today, adding that it has three vehicle nameplates in the global top 10, according to the latest vehicle registration data from research firm Polk.

This is the second year in a row that the Ford sells more than 2 million vehicles in the States, the only brand to do so since 2007.

Read more »

Facelifted Ford Fiesta Van Gains Aston Martin-Esque Schnozzle

Joining the refreshed range of Fiesta hatchbacks in Europe is the facelifted, commercial version of the series aptly named the Fiesta Van, which is available to order now in Britain, with customer deliveries from early January 2013. Read more »

Euro NCAP Find that Dacia Lodgy Dissapoints while 14 Other New Cars Score Five Stars

The safety gurus at the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP), an independent organization that assesses and scores vehicle safety, have released a new round of scores for 15 new models, many of which were presented at the recent Paris Motor Show.

With one exception, the new Dacia Lodgy minivan that Euro NCAP said "budgets on safety" as it was rated with a mediocre three stars out of five, all other cars tested were awarded five stars.

Euro NCAP criticized the Renault Group's decision to not offer the electronic stability control (ESC) as standard equipment on the Lodgy, while also noting that the Dacia model scored poorly for pedestrian and child protection.

Read more »

Check Out the New 2014 Ford Fiesta ST in 80 Photos and on Film

Ford is not only betting on the growing small-car market in the U.S. with the Fiesta but it is also testing the waters with a new performance variant of the hatch named the Fiesta ST that will make its North American debut at the LA Auto Show.

Like the bigger Focus ST, the Fiesta ST is the result of the collaborative efforts from the Blue Oval's European and American divisions.

Read more »

Ford Adds 123HP 1.0-liter EcoBoost to Facelifted 2014 Fiesta, Claims 40 MPG Plus [58 Photos + Video]

With fuel prices on the rise and federal and state mandates about fuel economy, U.S. manufacturers and buyers alike are beginning to see the advantages of downsizing when it comes to both vehicles and their engines.

Ford’s Fiesta, which has been redesigned for the 2014 model year and will launch at the LA Auto Show this week, is probably one of the best examples.

That’s because apart from the cosmetic changes, such as the larger trapezoidal grille that resembles that of the Fusion mid-size saloon (…or Aston Martin models), Ford’s subcompact will be offered in the States with the firm's new 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine.

Read more »

New Ford Fiesta ST Hot Hatch Confirmed for North America, Debuts in Los Angeles

At last year's LA Auto Show, Ford displayed a concept version of the Fiesta ST, stating at the time, that it "remained open" to selling the hot hatch on this side of the Atlantic.

Well, the decision has been made and at this week's 2012 LA Auto Show, the Blue Oval will premiere the production Fiesta ST for the U.S. and Canada.

Unlike the European model that was introduced in Geneva with a three-door body style earlier this year, the North American version will be offered exclusively as five-door hatch, but don't fret, as Ford has a surprise in store for US.

Read more »

Ford to Offer 2014 Fiesta Facelift with 1.0-liter Three-Cylinder EcoBoost in the U.S.

We knew it was coming but now Ford has confirmed the arrival of its 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine Stateside in the redesigned Fiesta that was revealed at this year's Paris auto show and which will go on sale in the U.S. early next year.

While in Europe, the 3-cylinder EcoBoost unit is offered in two states of tune delivering 99HP (100PS) and 123HP (125PS), in North America, Ford will bring the most powerful version that generates a peak torque of 148 lb.-ft.

By comparison, the pre-facelift 2013 Fiesta's base (in the U.S.) 1.6-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder unit peaks out at 120hp and 112 lb-ft.

Read more »