Ford Fiesta ST – different class

THIS is probably one for the purists, but have you ever heard of One Wheel Peel?

No. I’m not really surprised, though it’s something drivers of performance cars may well be familiar with.

It is actually the dreaded situation where a fast corner exit is hampered by an overload of torque to the inside wheel.

It is also something that won’t happen with the latest Ford Fiesta ST, a little gem of a car that snarls with a throaty rasp, sticks to the road like glue and delivers a mountain of wallop.

British drivers have enjoyed a love affair with fast Fords that stretches from the Lotus Cortina of the swinging Sixties through to the Mustang muscle car and fiery Focus RS hatchback.

And the Fiesta ST is up there with the brand’s all-time finest – and superior to anything else of its size on the market today.

Costing from £19,495, the ST is powered by a 200PS 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine capable of hitting 62mph in 6.5 seconds and a 144mph top speed.

The letters ST stand for Sports Technologies, of which there are plenty with this car.

Developed to provide everyday usability and fuel efficiency alongside an exceptional driving experience, the Fiesta is tuned for performance from its engine and suspension to the steering and brakes.

And that includes the likes of enhanced Torque Vectoring Control and Electronic Stability Control, six-speed manual transmission and rear disc brakes with red calipers.

The ST also comes with selectable drive modes enabling the engine, steering and stability controls to be configured to Normal, Sport and Track settings.

There’s even an optional Launch Control for lightning fast standing starts on track – all supported by a dedicated graphics display in the instrument cluster.

The result is a car of outstanding merit – extremely driver-focused, beautifully balanced and capable of delivering a fun-packed driving experience.

At the same time you can potter comfortably round urban roads without the ST straining at the leash, even if there is always the temptation to floor the throttle.

As for design and styling, things are quite understated, though there are touches that make the ST stand out from standard Fiesta models – stuff like a large honeycomb grille, LED daytime running lamps and body kit.

Inside you get body-hugging Recaro part-leather seats and Power start, though best of all is the sound symposer which channels a magical engine note into the cabin.

And that One Wheel Peel – well the official explanation is that the car has been tuned to work ‘with enhanced Torque Vectoring Control to deliver the best possible natural traction without ‘burning away’ excess torque with brake interventions’.