AUTOCAR GAME CHANGER - The Ford Fiesta ST200 takes the honours for drivers car under £30k

• Autocar presents second award in as many years to Ford Performance models
• Increases number of UK awards for top-selling Ford Fiesta to over 60  

The Ford Fiesta ST200 has been crowned Britain’s best affordable driver’s car under £30,000 at this year’s Autocar Awards.

Since the 200PS version of the Fiesta ST arrived under a year ago, 850 have been ordered by UK driving enthusiasts – in addition to 6,125 choosing the standard 182PS version in the same period.

The enthusiast’s motoring magazine and website declared Fiesta ST200 “the best-made, most convincing all-round ST yet”, thanks to steering enhanced to make the car’s initial rate of turn even more rigorous, the hot supermini’s tight-bodied response through bends and 0-62mph in 6.7sec and a maximum 142mph. 

Driving fans have a long history of being attracted to fast Fords, having bought a total of 17,250 of the current Fiesta ST.  

The 250PS Ford Focus RS, honoured at last year’s Autocar Awards with a maximum five stars for its “barmy and tremendously engaging” drive, has drawn a further 5,000 thrill seekers to the blue oval brand.

The larger Focus ST, available with petrol and diesel powertrains in both hatchback and estate body styles, the right-hand drive Mustang muscle car and newly launched GT supercar are the other models offering a performance Ford for every budget – from £18,000 Fiesta ST to the over £420,000 GT.

The current Fiesta has scooped up 61 awards since launch in 2008, including this one from Autocar, 12 from sister publication What Car? and the balance from other auto media and experts.

Matthias Tonn, Fiesta ST200 chief engineer who collected the award, said:  “The Ford Performance team took a special drivers’ car to a new level of power and performance in the ST200.  Customer take-up and awards such as this have established Fiesta ST200 as a future classic and helped put fast Fords at the top of petrol heads’ wish lists.”

The model’s 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine uses a new calibration to deliver 200PS – twice the power offered by its Fiesta XR2 predecessor 20 years ago – and 290Nm of torque, with an additional 15PS available for up to 20 seconds using overboost.

A 4.06 ratio final drive – shortened from 3.82 in the Fiesta ST – further enhances in-gear acceleration.  The Fiesta ST200 utilises upgraded Fiesta ST suspension and Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) settings to improve ride quality and driving dynamics.

A rear twist-beam with 27 per cent more roll-stiffness and a front anti-roll bar increased to 21mm from 19mm diameter support revised damper specifications for better impact absorption. Like the Fiesta ST, the ST200 sits 15mm closer to the road than standard Fiesta models.

Unique storm grey body colour, 17in black machined alloys with red brake calipers and Recaro partial leather seats complete the Fiesta ST200’s specifications.

Ford annouces tha the Fiesta became Europes best selling car in March, not bad considering its a run out model.

• Ford Fiesta is the best-selling car in Europe, according to Ford analysis of March 2017 industry data; 47,000 Ford Fiestas sold in March*
• Ford sold 199,900 vehicles in March, up 14 per cent year-over-year, to become the second best-selling vehicle brand in Europe
• Technologically advanced all-new Ford Fiesta goes on sale across Europe this summer 

The Ford Fiesta is the best-selling car in Europe, according to Ford analysis of March 2017 industry data. 

Customers purchased 47,000 Fiestas in March, a 12 per cent increase year-over-year,* to overtake the Volkswagen Golf as the region’s top-selling passenger car. 

The Ford Fiesta has been the UK best-seller for eight years and, in a record sales month in the UK, it notched up 25,428 sales. 

Almost 70 per cent of Fiesta sales in March were high-specification models, including 17 per cent in top specification Titanium series. Fiesta sales helped fuel a new car registration boom in Europe that saw a record 1.93 million sales in March – a 10.8 per cent increase year-over-year. Europe has now overtaken the U.S. to become the world's second largest region for new car registrations.** 

Ford sold 199,900 vehicles in Europe in March (up 14 per cent year-over-year), including 156,200 passenger vehicles (up 16 per cent year-over-year). This makes Ford the second best-selling vehicle brand in Europe with a total vehicle market share of 9.2 per cent. 

“Fiesta was again our best-selling vehicle in March, making up 12 per cent of Ford total vehicle sales. Customers continue to be attracted by Fiesta’s distinctive style, powerful but fuel-efficient engines, and class-leading fun to drive character,” said Roelant de Waard, Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “March was a stand-out month for Ford in Europe, with sales increases across the board.” 

Of Europe’s five largest markets for car sales – Germany, the U.K., France, Italy and Spain – Spain recorded the most significant growth for Fiesta with sales increasing 97 per cent year-over-year in March. In Italy, Fiesta sales increased 21 per cent and in Germany 18 per cent year-over year. The UK – where Fiesta is the best-selling vehicle nameplate of all time – saw a sales increase of 8 per cent year-over-year, while Hungary, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Romania, Switzerland and the Netherlands also recorded significant increases in Fiesta registrations. 

All-new Fiesta

The all-new Ford Fiesta goes on sale in Europe this summer offering four distinctive versions, including the stylish Fiesta Titanium, the Ford Performance-inspired Fiesta ST-Line and the upscale Fiesta Vignale. 

An all-new Fiesta Active crossover – the first in a new line-up of Active vehicles to be rolled out across the Ford range in years to come – and the next-generation Ford Fiesta ST, powered by an all-new 200PS, three-cylinder, 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine, will follow in early 2018. 

Featuring the most sophisticated driver assistance technologies and connectivity features ever in a volume small car in Europe, all-new Fiesta debuts an enhanced Pedestrian Detection system that can help prevent collisions at night; and the first Ford Active Park Assist system that can deliver brake interventions to prevent low-speed bumps when parking hands-free. 

Cutting-edge powertrains include Ford’s multi-award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine offering up to 140PS, and a 1.5-litre TDCi diesel offering 120PS – the first high-power diesel Fiesta powertrain. 

WHAT CAR AWARDS - The Fiesta takes best hot hatch as the Galaxy wins best MPV over £26,000.

The acclaimed Ford Fiesta ST was crowned the UK’s best hot hatch for the fourth consecutive year at the 2017 What Car? Awards.

Enjoyed by over 25,000 owners, Ford Fiesta ST remains a UK favourite since its launch in 2013.

To mark the 40^th anniversary last year of the Ford Fiesta – Britain’s best-selling car every year since 2008 – the ST200 was added to the range, adding a further 18PS to the 182PS available from the existing 1.6-litre Fiesta ST.  Also new last year was a five-door Fiesta ST to complement the original three-door bodystyle.

Steve Huntingford, What Car? editor, said: “The Ford Fiesta ST is impossible to dislike. It leaves rivals trailing on a challenging road because it dives into corners like a terrier chasing a bouncing ball and the steering is full of feel. In normal use, it doesn’t disappoint. Like all Fiestas, the ST has a decent boot and plenty of cubbyholes and is small enough to feel wieldy around town.

“Fiesta ST is the best all-round hot hatch. It strikes the perfect balance between performance and affordability. It lets you attack B-roads without worrying about the width of the car or how powerful it is. In fact, it’s sharper than the BMW M140i, which costs almost £15,000 more. To add to its appeal, the ST combines all of this with the reliability, practicality and dealer coverage that has made the Fiesta top seller.”

The consumer magazine and website, attracting over 1.95 million monthly users, chose the well-equipped Fiesta ST-2, priced at £18,895, as their recommended model complete with heated Recaro front sports seats and Ford Power push button start.

On receiving the award, Lisa Brankin, Ford of Britain marketing director, said: “Performance vehicles, and the thrill they bring to driving, are renowned Ford strengths.  Our new ST-Line range, sitting under ST, to RS and Mustang above it, offer a performance car for everyone.  Thank you What Car? for recognising Fiesta ST - the biggest seller in this exciting 2017 line-up.”   

It is also the fifth successive year that Ford has triumphed in the hot hatch category – prior to Fiesta ST’s four-year run of success, the 250PS Focus ST took the title in 2013.

Ford Galaxy – best MPV (£26,000+)

The new Ford Galaxy is also best Multi-Purpose Vehicle for its price, according to What Car?

What Car? named the Ford Galaxy Zetec with 2.0-litre TDCi 150PS diesel engine as its pick of the range.

An historic line-up of 40 Ford Fiestas came together in convoy to mark it's 40th birthday at the Ford Summer Festival.

• Convoy of classic and modern Fiestas attend 40^th anniversary event
• Run from Dagenham to Brighton ends at new Ford event
• Stunning selection of cars on display

An historic line-up of 40 Ford Fiestas came together in convoy to mark the model’s 40^th birthday at the Ford Summer Festival.

Setting off from Dagenham, the Fiesta convoy was made up of classic and modern Fiestas, driven by owners’ club members, Ford employees and prominent motoring journalists.

The cavalcade included some very special Fiestas, including the all-new ST200, a super-rare Mk 1 Fiesta Van, A Fiesta Fly Crayford Convertible and the last Fiesta to leave the Ford site at Dagenham, which – in 14 years - had covered a mere 17 miles from new before going on the run.

The run was also joined by a car that joined Ford’s heritage fleet just a day before the event – a silver Fiesta Mk 4 that was donated to the company by its previous owner, having covered only 22,000 miles.

“We got it on the ramp, put some new brake pads on it, and away we went,” said Ivan Bartholomeusz, who looks after the company’s heritage fleet.

Others from Ford’s own collection included two immaculate Mk 1s, a 17,000-mile from new Fiesta Mk 2 and a pair of original, unrestored XR2s, one of which was driven to the venue by a prominent European Car of the Year Juror who remembered driving it when new.

The birthday run concluded at Brighton Racecourse with a cake-cutting ceremony, while a display of even more classic Fords meant there was plenty for guests to look at.

The People’s Choice award for car of the day went to Dave Lane for his Mk1 Cortina Estate, while the award for furthest travelled went to Avelino Pirin, who had driven 235 miles to get to the event.

Organised by the team behind Fast Ford, Classic Ford, Fast Car and Retro Cars magazines, the event also featured live music for a Rod Stewart tribute act, a casino and a Scalextric competition, along with guest appearances from TV host Ant Anstead (who presented the awards) and former racing driver Barrie Williams, who has a long-standing history with the Blue Oval brand.

Event manager, Katherine Chappell, said: “The festival was a great opportunity for Ford to celebrate the 40^thanniversary of one of its icons, and we were delighted to have such an incredible turnout of Fiestas on the day.”

Convoy of 40 Fiestas, many from Ford’s own collection, in the run from Dagenham to Brighton

• Convoy of 40 Fiestas, many from Ford’s own collection, in the run from Dagenham to Brighton
• Ford Summer Festival to take place at Brighton Racecourse, July 16, 2016
• Club stands, public bar and evening entertainment
• Chance to win a Ford Focus ST

The new Ford Fiesta ST200 will be one of the stars of a 40-car convoy celebrating four decades of the Blue Oval’s famous supermini.

The 40^th anniversary run is part of the Ford Summer Festival, a brand new event celebrating Britain’s most popular car marque, which is set to take place at Brighton Racecourse, East Sussex, on Saturday July 16, 2016.

Organised by the team behind Fast Ford, Classic Ford, Fast Car and Retro Cars magazines, the event will start with a themed run from Ford’s traditional UK home in Dagenham to the famous resort.

Heading up the convoy will be a special selection of 40 Ford Fiestas to mark the car’s milestone birthday, many of which are from Ford’s own collection or affiliated owners clubs. These include a variety of Mk 1s, including a Crayford ‘Fly’ Convertible, a Mk 1 Van and an XR2, a whole range of Fiesta Mk 2s from the humble Popular Plus to the range-topping XR2, the 10-millionth Fiesta off the Dagenham production line, a one-off road legal rally car, a customised Fiesta ST camera car built by Ford’s press and PR department and the eagerly-awaited ST200, which made its UK debut at last weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Event manager, Katherine Chappell, said: “What a great way for Ford to celebrate the Fiesta’s 40^th birthday, by launching the fastest and most entertaining Fiesta ever. It’s the perfect partner for our event, as it’s fun, lively and celebrates everything that is great about Britain’s most popular small car.”

As well as the run, the Ford Summer Festival will feature club and individual displays, a retail area and a live entertainment stage, with a selection of live music acts throughout the day and well into the evening, along with the chance to enter a competition to win a modified Ford Focus ST. Overnight camping will be available and is included within the ticket cost for all those taking part in the run, helping to keep the festival atmosphere going as the sun goes down.

The Festival is open from 11am to 11pm and entry tickets cost £10 in advance* (£15 on the day). For those wanting to take part in the run, entry costs £60 and includes a breakfast voucher, rally plaque, camping for two people and two free drinks.

The Ford Summer Festival is just one of a series of high profile Ford events organised by the Fast Car Entertainment team. Other events include Ford Fair, Ford Fest, The Classic Ford Show and The International Ford Show.

Ford will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its iconic Fiesta model at this year’s Goodwood Moving Motor Show

Ford will celebrate the 40^th anniversary of its iconic Fiesta model at this year’s Goodwood Moving Motor Show, part of the Press & Preview day on Thursday, June 23.

Central to the celebrations will be the introduction of the newly-upgraded Fiesta ST200, which will make its UK debut at the event and will be available for visitors to drive up the Goodwood hillclimb course.

The Fiesta ST is already regarded as one of the best hot hatches ever built, so the arrival of the turbocharged, 1.6-litre version will be one of the most hotly-anticipated unveils of this year’s Moving Motor Show.

The ST200 boasts 200PS (197bhp) and will accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds, making it a compelling proposition for visitors who are lucky enough to pilot it up the 1.16-mile hillclimb.

As part of the same event, Ford will also show its new GT supercar. The main Festival of Speed weekend will also be graced by Ford’s GT race cars, fresh from the marque’s return to the Le Mans 24 Hours earlier in June.

The Ford Fiesta first went on sale in 1976 and quickly became known as the ‘first British supermini’. In the first three years of its production, Ford sold a million examples and it wasn’t until 1980 that the Fiesta faced serious competition in the form of the Austin Metro. Over the past 40 years Ford has sold a total of 4.33 million Fiestas in Britain.

Goodwood Festival of Speed founder, Lord March, said: “The Fiesta is an icon of British motoring and it is marvellous that Ford has chosen the Festival of Speed to celebrate the car’s 40^th anniversary and debut the new ST200.”