2018 Fiesta St Top Speed

2018 Fiesta St Top Speed

Exterior

Comparison New Fiesta ST vs Old Fiesta ST

Much like it's predecessor, the third-gen Fiesta ST is a slightly beefed-up version of the standard model. As a result, it sports all the improvements we saw on the regular 2017 Fiesta, including the new grille and swept-back headlamps that give the hatchback a frowning appearance. Already sportier than the outgoing model, the new Fiesta gets even more aggressive with the ST package, which adds a honeycomb mesh to the grille and black foglamps surrounds to the bumper.

Much like it's predecessor, the third-gen Fiesta ST is a slightly beefed-up version of the standard model.

Onto the sides, the ST is pretty much identical to the regular model, save for the exclusive 18-inch wheels with a funky design and a grey finish. The same goes for the rear end, which gets only a slightly larger roof spoiler, a diffuser like element with twin exhaust in the bumper, and an "ST" badge on the tailgate. Finally, Ford also added Liquid Blue, the same hue seen on the Focus RS, to the color palette.

Granted, the ST cannot brag about too many extra features compared to the standard Fiesta, but the package is very similar to the outgoing model. It might not be as aggressive as the Focus RS, but I has just enough to stand out. And besides, the ST is supposed to be more of a sleeper rather than an in-your-face kind of car.

COMPETING DESIGNS

Based on the latest Polo that share many styling cues with the larger Golf, the new GTI is more aggressive than ever

When it comes to performance cars, the subcompact hatchback segment is rather underpopulated, and as of September 2017 there are only a few options available. One of them is the Volkswagen Polo GTI, which has been redesigned for the 2018 model year. Based on the latest Polo that share many styling cues with the larger Golf, the new GTI is more aggressive than ever. The standard Polo design has been enhanced by more aggressive bumpers, a red stripe and badge on the front grille, unique wheels, and a diffuser-like element around back. Styling-wise, it's not as dull as its predecessor, but it's still somewhat boring to look at due to its almost featureless side panels. By comparison, the Fiesta ST looks a lot more muscular. For this reason alone, I think that the new Fiesta ST is the more appealing option, but as always, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The Yaris GRMN is Toyota's first high-performance offering in this segment

The second option is the Yaris GRMN. While the Yaris nameplate has a few years behind, the GRMN version is brand-new and Toyota's first high-performance offering in this segment. However, while new for 2017, the GRMN was actually launched alongside the facelifted Yaris, so the hatchback isn't exactly new in terms of design. But that's not to say that it can't compete with the Polo GTI and Fiesta ST. Highlighted by a massive front grille and race-inspired rear diffuser with a central exhaust, the Yaris GRMN is quite sporty to look at, especially with the optional red and black graphics. The large roof wing and the redesigned, larger taillights give the GRMN's rear end a menacing stance. If I were to choose between the three, I'd go with the Yaris because I think its exterior is a bit more exotic. I just like the large front grille and pointy nose and the diffuser that reminds me of Formula One cars. But on an objective note, each of the three cars have interesting styling cues of their own.

Interior

Naturally, the redesign also applies to the interior, which feels more modern and upscale. The dashboard was redesigned from scratch and the clean passenger side with the round A/C vents was replaced by a fancier, squared off outlet that extends toward the center stack for a fresh look. The center stack is also new, with the A/C vents that used to flank the controls and infotainment screen now moved below, toward the center console. The new steering wheel looks sportier, while the instrument cluster has an additional screen for vital data.

The ST comes with Recaro seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and exclusive trim and upholstery.

A revised Ford SYNC 3 entertainment enables the driver to control audio, navigation and connected smartphones using voice commands. The system is also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and is supported by floating, tablet-inspired touchscreens up to eight inches in size that can be operated using pinch and swipe gestures. Ford also offers a B&O PLAY Sound System for a high-quality audio experience.

Ford promises a greater variety of interior trim and personalization options.

In addition to all of the above, the ST comes with Recaro seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and exclusive trim and upholstery. What's more, Ford promises a greater variety of interior trim and personalization options than ever before. Customers will be able to choose from a range of trim elements for the gear lever, steering wheel, door pulls and decorative dashboard spear, as well as select from distinctive styling packs. Unfortunately, extensive information about any of these has yet to be released.

But even so, the new cabin is a significant departure from the previous model and each and every new feature makes the Fiesta ST a much more attractive proposition.

THE COMPETITION

But much to Volkswagen's credit, the new Polo GTI is indeed a more premium proposition

Most considered the previous Polo to be a bit more upscale than the Fiesta, but this wasn't exactly. Sure, Volkswagen's cabin felt solid and the fit and finish was good, but there wasn't a noticeable difference in terms of materials, as most elements were made from cheap-looking plastic, just like in the old Fiesta. The styling was pretty old too, especially the cluttered center stack and the cheap-looking door panels. But much to Volkswagen's credit, the new Polo GTI is indeed a more premium proposition. The stylish dashboard, the large infotainment screen, the digital instrument cluster, and the flat-bottom steering wheel give the German hatchback a more upscale look. Other cool features include the "Clark" plaid pattern on the seats, the optional leather upholstery, and the red detailing on various elements. The GTI is also loaded with tech, including Front Assist monitoring, City Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Monitoring, Adaptive Cruise Control, Stop & Go, and Blind Spot Detection. Granted, some of these are optional, but it's nice to have access to most of the tech available with larger Volkswagen vehicles.

The Yaris GRMN, on the other hand, isn't as well equipped or as fancy as the Polo GTI

The Yaris GRMN, on the other hand, isn't as well equipped or as fancy as the Polo GTI. Sporting minor improvements that came with the facelifted Yaris, including a revised dashboard and new upholstery, the GRMN keeps things much simpler in the technology department. However, there is a new 4.2-inch instrument cluster to talk about, as well as a pair of sports seats specifically designed for this car, a leather steering wheel borrowed from the Toyota GT 86, and aluminum pedals. But while it might not be as appealing as the Fiesta ST and Golf GTI inside the cabin, the Yaris GRMN makes up for it under the hood. But more on that below.

Drivetrain

The previous 1.6-liter, EcoBoost four-cylinder was replaced by a 1.5-liter, EcoBoost three-pot.

The really big news lurks under the hood, where the previous 1.6-liter, EcoBoost four-cylinder was replaced by a 1.5-liter, EcoBoost three-pot. The switch makes the Fiesta ST the first ever Ford Performance model to use a three-cylinder engine. However, it's not exactly surprising given that the most powerful Fiesta model uses a 1.0-liter three-banger.

But despite using a smaller engine with less cylinders, the new Fiesta ST is just about as powerful as the outgoing model. The turbocharged unit cranks out 197 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque, which is identical to the previous, limited-edition ST200. There's no word whether the new engine has an overboost function, but if it does, expect output to jump to more than 210 horsepower. For reference, the ST200 was rated at 212 horses with overboost.

As far as performance goes, Ford anticipates a 0-to-62 mph acceleration of 6.7 seconds, making the new Fiesta ST as quick as the outgoing model.

The new Fiesta ST will be a lot more fun to drive thanks to its selectable drive modes.

But while power and acceleration remained unchanged, the new Fiesta ST will be a lot more fun to drive thanks to its selectable drive modes. Also a premier for the Fiesta, the drive modes enable engine, steering, and stability controls to be configured to Normal, Sport and Track settings.

In Normal mode, engine mapping, traction control, electronic stability control, exhaust sound, and electronic power assisted steering are set to deliver natural responsiveness and a connected feel, both ideal for day-to-day driving. In Sport mode, engine mapping and throttle pedal response are sharpened, while EPAS settings are adjusted to deliver more feedback and finer control for fast road driving. The active noise control valve opens intensifies the sporty exhaust note and engine noise within the cabin. When Track mode is activated, all vehicle dynamics features are tuned for the fastest possible lap times, while traction control is disabled and ESC interventions are set to wide-slip mode for spirited driving. As the name suggests, this is the setting to use if you want to put the Fiesta ST through its paces on any race track.

The 1.5-liter EcoBoost also features a new combination of port fuel injection and direct fuel injection.

The 1.5-liter EcoBoost also features a new combination of port fuel injection and direct fuel injection that helps deliver high power and responsiveness alongside reduced carbon-dioxide emissions. Ford also speaks of increased fuel efficiency under light engine loads, but doesn't give actual figures. The all-aluminium engine also features an integrated exhaust manifold that improves efficiency by helping the engine reach optimal temperatures faster. It also delivers torque more rapidly by reducing the distance exhaust gases travel between cylinders and turbocharger. Additionally, the cylinder deactivation system, a first for a three-cylinder engine, further reduces CO2 emissions. And yes, this means that at times the Fiesta ST uses only two cylinder to move about. Just like the Fiat 500 and Alfa Romeo MiTo with the 0.9-liter Twin-Air turbo or the Indian-made Tata Nano.

COMPETING PERFORMANCE

The Polo GTI uses a more traditional four-cylinder engine

When it comes to drivetrains, the Polo GTI uses a more traditional four-cylinder engine. However, while the previous generation had a 1.8-liter under the hood, the new GTI gets its juice from a bigger, 2.0-liter unit. The powerplant is rated at 197 horsepower and 240 pound-feet, which isn't much of an increase compared to the previous model. Output ratings are identical for the Polo and Fiesta, but the GTI wins in the torque department thanks to an extra 26 pound-feet. When it comes to performance, both cars need 6.7 seconds to hit 62 mph, but Volkswagen provides the higher top speed. While the new Polo GTI is good for a solid 147 mph, the Fiesta ST tops out at only 130 mph.

The Yaris' 1.8-liter four-cylinder is augmented by a Magnusson Eaton supercharged

The Yaris GRMN also uses a small-displacement engine, but the 1.8-liter four-cylinder is augmented by a Magnusson Eaton supercharged. The four-banger delivers a solid 209 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, which makes it the most powerful car in this comparison. Torque is significantly lower than the competition, but this doesn't stop the Yaris GRMN from hitting 62 mph in an impressive 6.3 seconds. That almost a half-second quicker than both the Fiesta ST and the Polo GTI. Top speed is limited to 143 mph, more than the Ford and almost on par with the Volkswagen. All told, while the Yaris GRMN isn't all that impressive in terms of interior design and features, it's the number one choice as far as performance goes.

Prices

Pricing will be announced at a later date, but I'm not expecting the new Fiesta ST to cost a lot more than the outgoing model. With the current ST retailing from $21,515, U.S. customers should be able to buy the upcoming model for around $22,300 before options. Likewise, the hatchback should see a mild increase from £18,145 to around £19,000 in the United Kingdom. On the other hand, expect to pay more than before for a loaded model due to the numerous customizing options Ford will offer for the new Fiesta ST.

COMPETING PRICES

Available in the five-door configuration only, the new-generation Polo GTI is expected to fetch as much as the new Fiesta ST in base trim. This means £19,000 to £20,000 in the United Kingdom. The Polo isn't yet available in the United States and we might not see it on this side of the pond anytime soon.

Also not available in the U.S. (as of this writing), the Toyota Yaris GRMN retails from £26,295 in the United Kingdom. That's a significant premium over the Polo GTI and Fiesta ST and it will be interesting to see whether Toyota will manage to steal a significant amount of customers from Volkswagen and Ford. Sure, it may have the more powerful engine and the faster 0-to-60 mph sprint, but for the price of a base Yaris GRMN you can get a Polo GTI with a few cool options.

Competition

Peugeot 208 GTi

Often overlooked in favor of the more popular Fiesta ST and Golf GTi, the Peugeot 208 GTi is a pretty solid choice in Europe. Based off the 208 that was introduced in 2012, the French hot-hatch is newer than the Polo and I'd say it's more appealing when it comes to looks. While not as funky as the new Fiesta ST, the large grille with chrome inserts, the extremely short engine hood, and the sculpted sides give it a sporty character that its competitors can't replicate. The interior isn't bad either, with the multi-tier dashboard and the instrument cluster placed further behind the steering wheel making it stand out in any crowd. Drivetrain-wise, the 208 GTi is as potent as any proposition in this niche. Powered by a turbocharged, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, it comes with 197 horsepower and 203 pound-feet on tap. All told, it's as powerful as the Fiesta ST, but falls behind by a small margin in the torque department. Pricing starts from £20,950 in the U.K., and as you might have already guessed, you can't buy it in the U.S.

Read our full review of the Peugeot 208 GTI.

Conclusion

I'll be honest here, I'm not a big fan of the Fiesta's new design and I think that the ST package doesn't do all that much to turn the hatchback into a menacing presence. However, I think that the car has just the right degree of sportiness in its design and the fact that its looks are actually on the sleeper side of things makes it a solid option for people who want the extra performance without an exterior that screams for attention. With the Polo GTi getting a bit old in the tooth, the new Fiesta ST has a clear advantage on the market, especially since the Peugeot 208 GTi doesn't matter much. But it remains to be seen what happens when the Toyota Yaris GRMN arrives in dealerships with the more powerful, supercharged engine.

• Love it

  • Fresh design
  • New technology and features
  • Brand-new engine
  • Enhanced fuel economy

• Leave it

  • Not a big fan of the frowning face
  • Three-cylinder performance engine?
  • The Yaris GRMN could be a big hit

2018 Fiesta St Top Speed

Source: https://www.topspeed.com/cars/ford/2018-ford-fiesta-st-ar176007.html

Share: