Weston Airport on the outskirts of Dublin was the venue for the launch of the new Ford Fiesta ST200 today as Ford Ireland completed their search for Ireland’s oldest running Fiesta. The proceedings were helped along by none other than Ben Collins, better known as “The Stig” who was on hand to provide quick laps to the various Fiesta owners in attendance.
The new Ford Fiesta ST200 is claimed to be the most powerful production model of the Fiesta to date. Powered by a 1.6 Ecoboost engine, the ST200 produces 200 bhp along with 290 Nm of torque and will achieve 0-100 km/hour in 6.7 seconds. While the Fiesta ST has only been available since 2013 it is a model that has stamped is authority within the hot hatch segment and this newest incarnation will most definitely be a force to be reckoned with.
We had the opportunity to bring the new ST200 for a quick test drive and you can instantly tell that this newest hot hatch from Ford will provide endless smiles. Gears shifts have been reduced in order to ensure excellent distribution of power. Feedback from the steering is excellent and the control of the power delivery to the front wheels ensures that you get the most out of every ounce of torque being delivered. The suspension system has been taken from the recently upgraded Fiesta ST and this ensures an improved ride quality. While you might get that little giddy feel as you push it along on quitter roads you are left in no doubt as to the ability of the ST200.
Inside you are welcomed by partial leather charcoal Recaro seats which provide ample support. There is also the addition of the ST-specification steering wheel along with carbon fibre dash inserts and alloy metal pedals and gear shifter.
If you are in the market for a new Fiesta ST200 you might want to bear in mind that it will be exclusively available in Storm Grey with pricing starting from €32,190. We’re looking forward to having the opportunity to get our hands on the ST200 for a bit an extended period and we’ll be sure to provide a more in depth review then.
While the ST200 was being launched, Ford Ireland also took the opportunity to celebrate 40 years of the Fiesta. As part of these celebrations Ford set about identifying Ireland’s oldest running Fiesta. Under Garda escort, some of Ireland’s oldest Fiesta’s arrived in convoy at Weston Airport to mark the occasion. The convoy consisted of Fiesta’s dating back to the oldest up to the newest model on sale today. Since 1976, over 17 million Fiesta’s have been sold worldwide with over 180,000 units being sold in Ireland alone.
John Egan, the owner of Ireland’s oldest running Fiesta dating back to 1978.
