In everyday driving, you notice several improvements. The extra torque means you can often sweep into motorway gaps without changing down. The extra power, meanwhile, chimes in with a hard-edged flare of combustion noise at 4500rpm, and allows you to get much closer to the red line before the engine runs short of breath in classic turbo fashion. That in itself makes flat-chat acceleration more exciting.
The rest of the ST experience is unaltered, and brilliant. You’ll love the way the car grips at the front wheels and pivots under your backside. You’ll love how directly it steers and refuses to roll.
Fast Ford devotees will probably even love the slightly yobby, track-car-hard ride. Passengers may not agree, of course. But you’ll be having so much fun that you honestly won’t care.
Should I buy one?
Absolutely. In a hot supermini class filling up with monotone and mediocrity, this engine kit makes one more distinguishing feature on a quite outstanding driver’s car. One that effortlessly transcends its nearest rivals, like the Peugeot 208 GTI, and demands consideration in an altogether broader sense.
Truth is, you could spend £30k on a hot hatchback this year and end up not having as much fun as you would in an £18k Ford Fiesta ST. This is something of a masterstroke.
Ford Fiesta ST Mountune
Price £17,594; 0-60mph 6.4sec; Top speed TBC; Economy TBC; CO2 TBC; Kerbweight 1163kg; Engine 4cyls, 1596cc, turbocharged, petrol; Power 212bhp at 6000rpm; Torque 236lb ft at 2750-3500rpm; Gearbox 6-spd manual
Join the debate
Peter Cavellini
Well?!
Come on everybody!,lets get down to the dealers.....?,anyone guess why not?.
Peter Cavellini.
Suzuki QT
Hmmm ...
Enlighten us ... Is it because it looks cheap and nasty from the outside and feels equally cheap and nasty on the inside? ... But what do you expect from a sub-£20K supermini? ... It's no VW Polo GTi and "Essex lads" will love it ...
Lanehogger
Suzuki QT wrote: Peter
I like Fords and generally feel most of their models have superb dynamics, while not having much compromise for everyday use. However, they do not feel like products, especially inside. They are no better or worse put together than many cars, but the quality and feel of the materials are pretty poor and almost worse than anything elose on the market, bar most Japanese cars. And the styling outside doesn't lend to a feeling of quality or sophistication either. Ford were on the right track about 10 years ago, but they seem to have lost their way and I just think they are now expensive cheap feeling and looking cars.
scotty5
Peter Cavellini wrote:Come
Because it's cheaper buying it thru a broker? Nope? I give in.
Your second reply just confuses matters further. Try plain English for us 'simple' folk.
jer
I'm on my way
There again maybe not because regardless of how much fun it is I need something more rounded or with 5 doors.
Rever2013
1000 sold already!
1000 sold already! Crikey! Those 'Rental Car Hire Firm.Com' were quick off the mark on that one. I'll have a 3mth old with 15,000 miles please, with the added 'sick smell', scuffy plastics, dented all over and no service history, please. £???????????
A34
Memo to Ford
+1. Ford Marketing maybe didnt get the message that there is a recession on and the Fiesta is anyway the size of the Escort Mk1 Small Family car. But as they are selling all they can build then I guess we won't see a 5dr soon...
Tuatara
Polo GTI vs Fiesta ST
Fair comment Suzuki QT.
For pretentious social appearances - Polo GTI.
For those that want fun - Fiesta ST.
fadyady
Something of a masterstroke?
Indeed. The Mountune Upgrade enables the ST to match and outclass its rivals in terms of speed. In terms of handling and fun its already streets ahead.
The only criticism so far - other than veiled hints of badge snobbery - concerns firm ride. But as Matt says the driver will be having too much fun to mind that.
LP in Brighton
Why not make the Mountune spec standard?
The question is, why don't Ford make this the standard spec for the STI?
I guess the answer is that by offering the upgrade as an aftermarket kit, it avoids the need to comply with the Euro 5 emission standard for type Approval - and/or possibly the extra power comes with a disproportionate increase in fuel consumption and induction noise. That's my guess, but it would be good to know what the downsides are. There is always a compromise somewhere.
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