- Enthusiastic 1.6-litre turbocharged engine sounds great
- Excellent, engaging dynamics
- Accurate, well-weighted steering
- High seating position
- Interior is small and inflexible compared to other hatches
- Poor rear visibility
- Cheap interior details
Ford WZ Fiesta ST (2013-17)
Overview
Commencing production in February 2013 and officially released in Australia in September 2013, the Ford WZ Fiesta ST was a three-door, front-wheel drive hatchback. Developed by Ford Team RS and manufactured in Cologne, Germany, the Fiesta ST was powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
EcoBoost engine
The 1596 cc ‘EcoBoost’ four-cylinder petrol engine had a cast aluminium block with 79.0 mm bores and an 81.4 mm stroke, a cast aluminium cylinder head, direct fuel injection with six-hole injectors, a fixed geometry turbocharger which provided peak boost pressure of 21 psi, a forward-mounted intercooler, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, Ford’s ‘Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing’ (Ti-VCT) and a compression ratio of 10.1:1.
While the officially quoted peak outputs were 134 kW at 6000 rpm and 240 Nm at 1600-5000 rpm, the turbocharger had an ‘overboost’ function that could increase turbine speed for up to 20 seconds at engine speeds between 1600 and 6000 rpm. When this occurred, peak outputs increased to 147 kW and 290 Nm.
The Fiesta ST could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and had a top speed of 220 km/h. Over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle, fuel consumption for the Fiesta ST was 6.2 litres per 100 km. Please note that performance figures are based on 95 RON premium unleaded petrol (PULP), though the Fiesta ST could operate on 91 RON regular unleaded petrol.
Transmission
The Fiesta ST had a six-speed ‘Durashift’ B6 transmission with G5D gear set.
Dimensions and comparison
Compared to the standard WZ Fiesta , the WZ Fiesta ST was 6 mm longer (at 3975 mm), 13 mm narrower (1709 mm) and 6 mm taller (1495 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged (2489 mm); kerb weight was 1197 kg. Cargo capacity was 276 litres with the rear seats in position, though this increased to 960 litres when the rear seats were folded.
Visually, the Fiesta ST could be identified by its unique front and rear bumpers, gloss black front grille, side skirts, rear diffuser, rear spoiler and dual chrome exhaust tips.
Suspension and steering
The Fiesta ST had MacPherson strut front suspension with L-shaped lower wishbones and a torsion beam rear axle. Compared to the standard Mk.6 Fiesta, the Fiesta ST had a modified front steering knuckle and an adapted rear twist beam with increased roll stiffness and unique spring and damper settings.
The Fiesta ST had electric, power-assisted steering (EPAS); for the Fiesta ST, the steering ratio was reduced from 14.6:1 for the standard Mk.6 Fiesta to 13.69:1. The Fiesta ST had a turning circle of 11.2 metres.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6-litre turbo petrol I4 | 6sp man. | 134 kW at 6000 rpm (147 kW with o’boost) |
240 Nm at 1600-5000 rpm (290 Nm with o’boost) |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Fiesta ST included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
The Fiesta ST was fitted with Ford’s ‘Emergency Assistance’ function. In the event of an accident in which the airbags deployed or the fuel pump cut-off switch was activated, Emergency Assistance would use a synchronised smartphone to automatically contact 000 operators for hands-free communication. Before initiating the call, the occupants would have a 10 second window to cancel the call. If occupants were unable to communicate with the 000 operator, an automated voice message would inform the operator that an accident had occurred and provide the vehicle’s GPS location.
In addition to its three-mode electronic stability control system (with selectable ‘On’, ‘Wide Slip’ and ‘Off’ modes), the Fiesta ST had a torque vectoring control function (Ford’s ‘eTVC’) which applied braking force to the inside front wheel when cornering to reduce understeer.
Brakes
The Fiesta ST had 278 mm by 23 mm vented front brake discs with 54 mm calipers and 253 mm by 10 mm solid rear discs with 34 mm calipers.
Euro NCAP crash testing
In Euro NCAP testing , a five-door Mk.6 Fiesta received a five star safety rating which included a 91 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 86 per cent child occupant protection rating. Under ANCAP’s methodology and evidence supplied by Ford to ANCAP, this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating for three-door hatchbacks – such as the Fiesta ST – with a score of 34.44 out of 37.
Features: Ford Fiesta ST
Standard features for the Fiesta ST included 17 x 7.0J alloy wheels with Bridgestone 205/40 R17 84W tyres, an eight speaker Sony sound system with a four-inch TFT display and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), Ford’s ‘SYNC’ connectivity system with Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, four-way adjustable Recaro front seats, climate control air conditioning, front fog lights, LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, 60:40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking with proximity key (i.e. keyless entry), power windows, power adjustable and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment, push-button start, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, black headlining, LED ambient lighting, front and rear carpet mats, front vanity mirrors, front scuff plates, alloy pedals, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.
The Fiesta ST also had a ‘Sound Symposer’ tube which was attached to the intake manifold and extended into the cabin to amplify engine frequencies.
The Fiesta ST had a space-saving 15-inch spare steel wheel.
October 2014 update
From October 2014, the Fiesta ST featured Ford’s ‘SYNC Applink’ which enabled drivers to use steering wheel mounted buttons and voice control to access compatible iOS or Android smartphone apps such as Pandora Internet Radio, Omny and Club Connect.
Paint colours
The Fiesta ST was available in Molten Orange, Performance Blue, Race Red, Frozen White and Panther Black paint finishes.
Brochures
Related links
- Features: Ford WZ Fiesta ST (September 2013)
- Specifications: Ford WZ Fiesta ST (September 2013)
- Ford Australia: Ford Fiesta ST
- Wikipedia.org: Ford Mk.6 Fiesta
