Latest fast Ford ticks all the right boxes... T

HERE really is a fascination amongst petrolheads with fast Fords - and this week’s test car looks like keeping that tradition going.

Even though it is Britain’s bestselling (and so commonest on the road) hatchback the shiny little blue car caused quite a stir as I drove it around for a week.

The reason being that this was the new Fiesta ST - which even had the salesman at a posh Range Rover dealership asking for a look inside.

Over the years fast Fords have gained a big following - and prices of classic models have gone crazy in recent times. Oh how I wish I had kept the Mk1 3.0-litre GXL and Mk2 2.0-litre S Capris I owned back in the day... and even more so the now ultra-rare Consul 3-litre GT (the original TV Sweeney car) and the theft magnet that was my Sapphire Cosworth.

The latter led to armed police knocking at my door in the early hours after some crims ‘borrowed’ it to rob an East Lancs Road petrol station and then left frustrated plod in their Astras in the dust!

But thanks to great strides forward in car security those problems are mainly a thing of the past - and this latest offering looks also set to enter the motoring halls of fame as it ticks all the right boxes with great handling, performance and looks.

First the performance - 197bhp in a small and light hatchback means it is hot, very hot, and combined with excellent handling makes the third generation ST a hoot to drive.

The standard Fiesta’s body has been strengthened for the ST - 14 per cent more rigid thanks to some extra bracing on the underside and there’s a new, quicker steering rack plus a rear stiff twist-beam torsion bar.

The damping stiffens when you’re going fast into corners and slackens off when you’re cruising and the baby ST also now has driving modes – Normal, Sport and Track – each one ramping up throttle response, steering weight and exhaust noise the higher you go.

The old car’s 1.6-litre fourcylinder turbo is replaced by a 1.5 three-cylinder EcoBoost unit that can run on just two to save fuel not that you will be wanting to do that as the ST will hit 62mph in 6.5 seconds and top out at 144mph while returning a claimed 47mpg.

Inside there are huge improvements; better build quality and infotainment (six-inch screen for ST-1 or eight inches for ST-3), but the old Fiesta ST’s excellent driving position, padded steering wheel finish and figurehugging Recaro sports seats remain.

Also standard kit for an ST-2 are heated seats, rear parking sensors and camera, cruise control and LED lights with scrolling indicators.

And the ST looks the part too with meaty twin tail pipes, rear spoiler and splitter, smart alloy wheels and ST badging and detailing.

Our three door test car (five doors are available for more practicality) was the mid trim level ST-2 but the range starts at £19,245 for the ST-1, which has fabric seats, our ST-2 is from £20,245 with partial leather and the ST-3 (£21,995) has full leather.

I have a wealthy friend who buys cars he thinks will be future (and so valuable) classics and this is one I am going to recommend he puts alongside his recently purchased Focus RS and some 20-odd other appreciating motors.

Yes twenty grand is a lot for a small hatchback, but not for one with this level of performance and sheer fun factor - definitely a Fast Ford for the future.

More information at www.ford. co.uk LOCAL dealers RRG Group have launched a new test drive service titled Mazda My Way.

One of the group’s ‘Brand Champions’ will bring a car to you so you can try the new Mazda on the roads you drive every day.

RRG say the service will give customers the opportunity to choose their new car from the comfort of their own homes with the service also including pricing part exchange vehicles at the same time.

Available throughout Greater Manchester and surrounding areas the service is for both new cars and used vehicles.

For more details call 0161 742 2477 or visit www.rrg-group.com/mazdamy-way/