Ford Fiesta Test Drive - Ford ST Performance Academy

Went down to FedEx Field in DC with some friends for the newest iteration of Ford ST Performance Academy. This time with both the Focus ST and Fiesta ST. My thoughts on the ST's driving experience?

Well, I know I went in to this event a little cockier than I should have. I thought, “Hey, I autocross my own Fiesta so driving a boosted version of my car will be cake!"

WRONG.

I really should have taken the first lap to feel out the car instead of pouncing on it to get two hot laps in. The first corner and slalom were like a knife through butter and fell just short of perfect - after that - not so much. I tried to push it like I would my own car and overshot the next corner really badly; mowing down a whole slew of the marker cones. As per the rules we were given at the outset; going as badly off course as I did got me pulled from driving duty. I took it; it was my own fault. Lesson learned. The Fiesta ST is going to be a great car, and is NOT to be underestimated. I can only hope I get a redemption drive at some point before they hit dealer lots so I can see what it’s really made of!

But enough about the handling... As far as fit and finish goes this car has it nailed down. We had the chance to ogle a test car that a Ford Engineer brought to Carlisle this year and everything that wasn't quite ready then has been polished to a shine. The partial leather Recaros are the ONLY option you should be going with as far as I'm concerned. They are superb. All the new controls inside fall easily within reach and the 6-speed is just as smooth as the one in the larger Focus ST.

Here is my lap in the Fiesta ST gone wrong, lol. In retrospect, I think I got really out of shape because I punched the throttle and was expecting the car to understeer a little like the Focus ST.... but as you can see in the video I slide out through the cones in an entirely neutral manner. Almost straight sideways in fact. Neutral handling = very good, if not unexpected in this case, lol.