It looks like the hot hatch brigade will have another player very soon – reader Akmal Azmi has spied a Ford Fiesta ST at the JPJ Putrajaya carpark, likely undergoing type approval.
The three-door (it’s only available as such; there’s a five-door version, but that’s only available in the US) B299 hatch is a ST-1 trim level unit, identical to the unit seen at KLIMS13 last year. Giveaways to the Molten Orange metallic example’s specification are Silverstone grey with charcoal black fabric seats as well as a standard CD audio six-speaker system with multi-function matrix display (from the ST-2 level on, there’s a Sony system).
Other standard kit on the 1,163 kg offering include manual air-conditioning, halogen projector headlamps with silver bezels and DRLs as well as a leather-trimmed steering wheel (with ST badging) and gearshift knob, complete with red stitching.
The Fiesta ST is equipped with a 1.6 litre EcoBoost turbocharged engine offering 182 PS and 240 Nm (290 Nm of time-limited overboost), mated to a B6 six-speed manual transmission. Performance figures include a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 6.9 secs and a 224 km/h top speed.
Tech highlights include a specially-modified front steering knuckle, adapted rear twist-beam with increased roll-stiffness, a dedicated ST suspension that lowers the car by 15 mm over a regular Fiesta as well as Torque Vectoring Control (eTVC) and three-mode AdvanceTrac ESC. The last offers a choice of full system intervention, wide-slip mode with limited intervention and full ESC off.
Standard safety kit consists of ABS with EBD and brake assist, ESC, hill start assist and seven airbags (driver/front passenger, front side, curtain and driver knee).
The Malaysian-spec ST isn’t that bare boned, despite its base trim level. The unit in the pix sports an optional ST Style Pack, which adds 17-inch Rado grey alloys and 205/40 tyres (likely to be Bridgestone RE050As) and red-painted brake calipers, which means that it’ll also feature illuminated scuff plates.
The front door handles of the spied car also intimate that it’s equipped with an optional ST Convenience Pack, which offers keyless entry and powerfold side mirrors. Ignition is traditionally-keyed on ST-1 trim level cars though. Still, this may not be the final configuration for the car, given that the pre-facelift Malaysian-specification C346 Focus STs were not strictly ST-2’s – later examples had some ST-3 specific fitments (the bi-xenons, for example) strapped on. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
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I still prefer the more powerful 208 Gti. The Fiesta seems to be lacking in standard equipment. Knowing SD Auto connecxion, I highly doubt this will be cheaper than the 208
208 Gti in a straight line yes. But pretty much all comparison tests shows the ST corners better and is a more fun drive overall. Now all we have to do is wait for the price…
Im surprised you know how it feels like on the road before even driving it on the road.
Enthusiasts and professional auto journalists do the comparison and share their findings online. What else is new?
What so everyone’s opinion is exactly the same as a journalist’s?
Their findings, not your findings. It’s not wise to judge or buy a car based only on what others think.
Perhaps the ST has that slight handling edge whereas the 208 have more straight line power. My question is, will you be skilled enough to notice these difference between the two?
The ST is the cheapest of the trio in the UK, and that fact alone scored a major point with the reviewers.
@waa and Coriolis
Dynamic ability is an objective quality. If the people who have tried both cars consistently find that the Fiesta ST outperforms the Peugeot 208 GTi in the handling department, then it stands to reason that the Fiesta ST is the more dynamically capable of the two.
My skill does not matter in that regard and my opinion certainly doesn’t change the dynamic capabilities of either of the cars.
I have not tried either or the cars and I have not read any of the reviews and comparisons between the two. I am just saying that the things reviewers say sometimes have objectivity in them.
it wont be long before statements flying around on this site emphasizing which car is the fastest by referring to the spec sheet alone.
I love reading paultan.org
You realize almost all the reviews you watched are british reviewers who have nothing nice to say about french cars right?
TopGear, yes. But other British reviewers like EVO and Fifth Gear are honest. Chris Harris too. Not to mention other reviewers like Motor Trend, they are all praised the Fiesta ST.
Fifth gear? haha they WORSE than top gear, they bashed on the regular 208 like it was a sack of nuts compared to the fiesta. They did a test where the 208 WON 2 out of three times, but concluded that the fiesta is better WTF.
Chris harris havent driven the 208 yet. Also almost every video i’ve watched they simply stated how the fiesta was better because it has a slightly better steering, they ignored, EVERYTHING else about the car, like practicality, the interior quality and materials, the fuel economy, the fact that the 208 comes with mood lighting and a big touch screen and the fact that its still FASTER.
where is fiesta 1.5MT? it was spotted in JPJ sometime ago.
I won’t be surprised if the price is within a +/- 5k region of the 208 GTi. While the 208 GTi was cheap compared to the Polo GTi and the Clio RS200 EDC, one of the main issues was the 208 was manual only, just like the Fiesta, making it an enthusiast choice, so price will probably be used to swing buyers from the 208 over.
Also, I’d reckon, at least the ST-2 or most likely the ST-3 will arrive, since the ST-3 will carry auto lights, wipers and all.
Fun times ahead indeed.
Unlikely. Last time I checked with the SA in SDAC PJ, estimated price will be 160k+.
Naza had some “advantages” to be able to price 208 GTi at 139k (and not suffer VW fate of having to revise price like what happened to Polo GTI).
I still think Fiesta ST is a damn good car and you can’t go wrong buying it, or the 208 GTi.
Just wishful thinking: The Kuga has the same 1.6L ecoboost engine right? According to carbase, that car is made in Spain.
Assuming the Fiesta ST we get will be from somewhere in Europe, comparing price with the UK, the similarly spec Kuga goes for some 25k pound. And the ST goes anywhere for 20-25% less.
So…. possibly 120-130k once it hit our shores?
THUMBS UP!!
Looks like the market for hot hatches is…
*sunglasses on*
…heating up.
YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH
price it well and we have a winner
Proton should benchmark this kind of car for their future Satria/Satria Neo replacement model.
No way SDAC will able or want to price this anywhere near the 208gti.
I like. But want the practical 4-door version. *sob*
Well, SDAC PJ has that 2013 yellow Focus ST going for 170k. 4 doors, plenty of power, for not much above Clio RS price.
Another poor mans car due to the low CC
Actually ST has an overboost function that can generate up to 200ps (197hp) so it’s not like it’s a slouch against the 208. However as some has mentioned in Malaysia the 208 will be the cheapest and most value for money unless somehow the ST is in the RM115k-120k range.
Sorry off topic. I’m waiting Suzuki Jimny to be revew by PT..
Hope VW do bring in their new Polo Gti http://www.worldcarfans.com/114100382263/2015-volkswagen-polo-gti-debuts-in-paris-with-a-new-engine
Its the real deal :)