Just

Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press

what is Ford up to? Didn’t they get the memo? Offering multiple performance models under a single brand is abnormal behaviour!

Not that I’m complaining. The company behind the legendary Mustang muscle car, import sport sedan-beating Taurus SHO, and fabulous F-150 SVT Raptor sport truck, not to mention a lineup of performance-tuned Ecoboost-powered crossovers, the same blue oval team that recently shook up the compact segment with the shockingly good Focus ST, is now doing the same in the subcompact class with the brilliant little Fiesta ST.

If you don’t love this little rocket you’re not a car enthusiast, or at least not a performance car enthusiast. But even if you’ve grown fond of environmentally friendly electrics and hybrids, a large portion of which are produced by Ford, a performance car powered by an energy-conscious 1.6-litre four-cylinder that uses high-tech

Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press

direct injection and turbocharging to make a heady 197 horsepower and 202 lb-ft of torque is a very good thing. After all, a 1,244-kilo curb weight makes sure that it jumps off the line like a spooked bunny yet still manages to eke out a claimed 7.8 L/100km city and 5.6 highway if driven more conservatively; the only financial negative being a thirst for pricier premium fuel.

Part of the reason for the ST’s extreme efficiency and quick performance is its stock six-speed manual gearbox; an automatic is not available. The short throw shifter is tight with zero slop, and the clutch take up is just perfect. As mentioned the ST really moves off the line, but it truly gets going in second and third where menacing mechanical sounds combine with a dark semisweet exhaust note for a sonic experience that’s as audibly engaging as the car’s hands-on tactile experience.

The

Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press

ST’s electric power-assisted steering is ultra-direct, the ride extremely firm to the point that every pebble seems to transfer through its MacPherson strut front and twist beam rear suspension. Handling is crisp for point and shoot style driving and the upgraded four-wheel disc brakes with high-performance pads bite into pavement with astonishing strength, the ST an ideal companion for quick city driving let alone escaping to the country to search for idyllic ribbons of serpentine tarmac. Something tells me it would be ideal off pavement too, a little rally car in the making that pulls inspiration from Ford’s Cosworth-powered WRC cars of the past and today’s AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Control and Torque Vectoring Control (TVC), but such opportunities won’t likely come my way anytime soon, so pavement scorching will have to do.

Tucked

Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press

into each wheel well are Bridgestone Potenza 205/40R17s wrapped around gorgeous Y-shaped five-spoke 17-inch alloys. My tester’s were painted Rado Grey and framed red brake calipers instead of the base ST’s identical alloys without paint and silver calipers, a really nice upgrade. With Tuxedo Black paint and blacked out mesh grille insert the ST looks like it’s up to no good, the Machiavellian personality type in the otherwise friendly Fiesta family, but the little imp isn’t only about performance.

Racing-style leather-clad Recaro buckets are as inviting as the Focus ST’s sport seats, superbly supportive yet as comfortable as subcompact seats get. All Fiesta ST features are a cut above its peers, from proximity sensing access and pushbutton ignition to its automatic climate control and brilliant MyFord Touch infotainment system it doesn’t lack premium touches and top-tier technology. Even

Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press

the dash-top is soft to the touch, unusual in the subcompact segment, while the door uppers and most other surfaces are covered in a nicely textured harder plastic that feels above average in quality.

ST features not already mentioned include a leather-wrapped and perforated steering wheel and shift knob, aluminum pedals, metallic trim on the instrument panel registers, centre stack and shifter bezel, floor mats with the ST logo, ambient lighting and Ice Blue cluster lighting, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, powered side mirrors with integrated blind spot mirrors and integrated turn signals, driver’s seat adjustable lumbar, great sounding Sony audio, satellite radio, Sync hands-free phone connectivity, multifunctional message centre, intermittent windshield wipers, heated front seats, an overhead console, hill start assist, all the usual airbags

Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press

plus one for the driver’s knees, SOS post crash alert, tire pressure monitoring, electronic brake force distribution, Ford’s Easy Fuel capless filler, fog lights with carbon black bezels, a black beltline, body-colour lower extension to the front fascia with a black centre airfoil, unique body-colour side rocker moldings, a massive high-mounted rear spoiler, body-coloured decklid eyebrow molding, body-colour lower extension to the rear fascia including a sweet looking black diffuser, and dual chrome exhaust tips. Other than the aforementioned wheel and brake caliper upgrades, the only options are a navigation system and a powered moonroof.

Hot looking and a blast to drive for sure, but let’s not forget that the ST is just as useful as any other Fiesta hatchback. Four adults will find comfortable seating front and rear, while folding the 60/40-split rear seatbacks down will expand the loading

Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press

area from 286 litres to a maximum of 719. Ok, 286 litres of luggage space behind the rear seats isn’t as much as the base Fiesta’s 422 litres, the full-size alloy spare causing the load floor to rise up a bit, but it’s a totally flat, very usable space.

Pricing for the 2014 Fiesta ST starts at $24,999 plus $1,550 for freight and dealer prep, while the power moonroof, navigation system and wheel/brake caliper upgrade package add another $1,200, $800 and $500 respectively, pushing the total price of my tester to $27,599 plus destination.

After spending time behind the wheel like I did, I’m sure you’ll agree that Ford isn’t asking too much for one of the hottest hatchbacks in the subcompact segment.
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