Ford Fiesta ST200 2016 review ~ station of gear

Image 1 of 16

15 Jun, 2016 (All day) James Disdale

First drive of the sizzling Ford Fiesta ST200, but does it have the thrills to compete in the hot hatch market?

What can you do to make one of the best hot hatches even better? If you’re Ford, then the answer is, well, not much.

The fiery Fiesta ST is already one of the most thrilling pocket rockets money can buy, so when it came to developing an even more exciting version, Ford’s engineers had to concede that there wasn’t a lot they could add. As a result, the new ST200 boasts a little more power than the standard car, a revised gearbox final drive ratio, some extra kit and, really, that’s about it.

• Best hot hatchbacks on sale

In fairness, the ST200 is intended as a limited-edition flagship run-out model to celebrate the huge success of the normal ST, so it was unlikely to feature any major changes. Initially, just 400 examples will be made available, but the production run is likely to be extended if demand is strong.

Image 2 of 16

Image 2 of 16

At the heart of the new ST200 is a mildly tweaked version of the familiar 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine. Power has been increased from 180bhp to 197bhp, while the torque output has swelled by 50Nm to 290Nm as well.

But that’s not all, because there’s also a full-throttle overboost function that raises these figures to 212bhp and 320Nm for up to 20 seconds. These upgrades combine with the six-speed manual gearbox’s lower final drive ratio to trim the 0-62mph time from 6.9 to 6.7 seconds, while the top speed rises by 3mph to 142mph.

Both the ST200 and the standard ST have received subtle changes to sharpen the handling and improve the ride, such as a thicker front anti-roll bar, revised dampers and recalibrated electric power-steering.

Externally, the ST200 gets unique SVO Storm Grey paint and two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels, while inside there are illuminated tread plates, silver-striped seatbelts and part-leather trim for the chunky and supportive Recaro sports seats.

Image 3 of 16

Image 3 of 16

So, it has got the power and the looks, but can the Fiesta deliver on the road? Prod the starter button and the ST200 burbles enthusiastically into life. Slot the gearlever into first and you’ll discover that the six-speed manual gearbox has the same deliciously short and precise throw as that in the standard car.

There’s also the same sharp throttle response and characterful rasp from the engine under acceleration. Yet the ST200 instantly feels more potent than its less powerful sibling, delivering the sort of mid-range muscle that allows you to overtake slower cars in the blink of an eye. It almost doesn’t matter what gear you’re in; simply squeeze the throttle and the Fiesta is fired down the road with an elastic energy.

As ever, though, the Ford saves its real party trick for the corners, where its acrobatic and engaging handling makes it one of the most fun cars to drive, regardless of price and power.

The retuned steering is quick, beautifully weighted and provides just the right amount of feedback, while the clever torque vectoring system keeps the front wheels locked on your chosen line.
As a result, the ST200 inspires huge confidence because you can place it on the road with laser-guided accuracy.

Image 9 of 16

Image 9 of 16

Yet the car has a playful side, too, allowing you to trim your line through a bend using just the throttle. Engage the stability control’s Sport mode and the electronic aids are relaxed enough to allow a little slip before safely gathering up any waywardness. Switch all the systems off and you can really revel in the ST200’s beautifully balanced chassis.

Slow things down and you’ll notice the improvements to the ride. It’s still firm, but the older car’s sharp edges have been rounded off, making the ST easier to live with day to day. On this showing, it looks as though the ST200 is a surefire hit.

However, there is a catch: the price. At £22,745, the newcomer is a whopping £3,000 more than a similarly equipped ST-3. Plus, for £599 a factory-approved Mountune tuning kit will give the standard ST the same 212bhp and 320Nm outputs, and it gets these figure all the time rather than in 20-second bursts. And as all ST models offer the suspension upgrades, a tuned ST-3 will be just as rewarding to drive.

Make no mistake, the ST200 is one of the fastest and most thrilling hot hatches ever. It looks the part, too, with its unique paint scheme and interior. And as just 400 examples are planned for the UK, it has exclusivity on its side. Yet it’s hard to overlook the fact that for over £2,000 less you can get an ST-3 with the Mountune engine upgrade, which delivers the ST200’s performance and even keeps Ford’s three-year warranty.

Model: Ford Fiesta ST200
Price: £22,745
Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl turbo
Power/torque: 197bhp/290Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive

0-62mph: 6.7 seconds
Top speed: 142mph
Economy/CO2: 46.3mpg/140g/km
On sale: Now

Thank you for reading the article about Ford Fiesta ST200 2016 review in blog station of gear If this article was helpful please bookmark this page in your web browser by pressing Ctrl + D on your keyboard keys.