Ford Fiesta ST

FIRST UK DRIVE We find out how new hot hatch copes with British roads

- James Batchelor

THE previous Fiesta ST will go down as one of the finest modern Fast Fords ever. Acrobatic handling and a sweet engine were all wrapped up in a stylish and affordable package.

Ford Performance – the division that created the Focus RS – was given the responsibility to develop the new one, and as we discovered at the blue oval’s Lommel test track in Belgium earlier this year (Issue 1,523), the team has nailed it. Ever since that drive in early May, we’ve been keen to see if the new Fiesta ST does its thing on Britain’s B-roads – and now we have the chance.

Immediately, the ST feels light and nimble; throw it into a corner and the front just grips and grips, but if you need to trim your line slightly then just a momentary lift off the throttle or dab of the brakes sorts it all out.