Ford Fiesta ST arrives in hot hatch wave

VW's Polo GTI pioneered the path and we'll soon feel the need for some RenaultSport speed in the new Clio, as well as the Peugeot 208 GTi and Citroen DS3.

But the Ford Fiesta ST shows the most promise. And it should also set the value standard with a starting price of $25,990 when deliveries begin this month.

It's one of the baby cars that is converting youngsters from the former go-faster hero cars, the Subaru Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, into something smaller, cheaper and more relevant. A slick-shifting front-drive baby makes more sense today than a fire-breathing AWD monster developed for forest racing.

The arrival of the second-generation ST part of an update deal for the Blue Oval baby that will bring affordable performance to the smallest member of the Ford family, as well as mirroring the ST surge in the Focus line -- but for nearly $10,000 less.

The Fiesta ST cannot come soon enough as Ford Australia searches for good-news stories for its showrooms in the wake of the death sentence for the locally made Falcon and Territory. The compact Kuga is already on the road and the SUV tiddler, the EcoSport, is coming soon.

The fast-and-friendly Fiesta does the job. The 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine is a direct-injection four (134kW/240N) developed by Ford's RS division in Europe, which has been responsible for a string of hits including the wham-bam Focus RS that sold out in double-quick time in Australia. Even with the extra urge, there is a 20 per cent improvement in fuel economy to 6.2L/100km.

There is capped-price servicing. It's got everything from grippy Recaro bucket seats to carbon-fibre trim, 4.2-inch infotainment screen, push-button start, aircon and rear parking radar. Ford's Sync emergency-aid system is standard, making an SOS call on the driver's mobile if the car's airbag is triggered.

There are obvious changes to the springs and dampers for a car that sits 15 millimetres lower than a regular Fiesta, with beefier brakes including rear discs and a sports-tuned, twin-pipe exhaust that promises WRX-style audio entertainment.

There are inevitable body bits but also three-position stability control and electronic vectoring of torque to the driven wheels. But don't go shopping for an ST if you want an easy-going Fiesta -- it's six-speed manual only. If the Fiesta ST proves as enjoyable to drive as the bigger Focus ST, it is a certain winner here. And good buying, too.

Ford Fiesta ST -- deliveries start this month

Price: from $25,990
Engine:1.6-litre turbo, 134kW/240Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual, FWD
Thirst: 6.2L/100km

RIVALS

Renault Clio RS

Price: from $30,000 (arrives early 2014)

Engine: 147kW/275Nm

Transmission: 6-speed manual, FWD

Thirst: 6.3L/100Km, 144g/km CO2 (Euro)

There is a touch of Godzilla about the turbo RS baby, which makes a powerful and rewarding case on road and track. A preview drive in France this year was great fun but the price will go against it.

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Price: from $27,990 (on sale now)

Engine: 132kW/250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed twin-clutch auto, FWD

Thirst: 6.1L/100km, 142g/km CO2

It might not have the all-out eagerness of the bigger Golf GTI but the Polo is a sweet little package. It's a refined car with enough edge to bring a smile but will struggle against its punchier new rivals.

Peugeot 208 GTI

Price: from $29,990 (later this month)

Engine: 147W/275Nm

Transmission: 6-speed manual, FWD

Thirst: 5.9L/100km, 139g/km CO2

Pitched as the spiritual successor to the 205 GTi from the 1980s. We question whether it has the driving enjoyment or the value in a class that's ever getting more competitive.

Opel Corsa OPC

Price: from $28,990 (on sale now)

Engine: 141kW/230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed manual, FWD

Thirst: 7.5L/100km, 175g/km CO2

Regardless of the performance package, the Corsa is an old car. The OPC work is good across the Opel family but the Corsa is not cheap and this German brand is still scrabbling for traction in local showrooms.

Citroen DS3

Price: from $29,740 (on sale now)

Engine: 115kW/240Nm

Transmission: 6-speed manual, FWD

Thirst: 6.7L/100km, 155g/km CO2

Almost unknown in Australia but about to benefit from a DS push by new Citroen management. The DS3 trades on great looks but doesn't have the punch or price to challenge the Fiesta.