Ford claims the Fiesta’s engine has been tuned for strong performance at low revs: 83 per cent of maximum torque is produced from just above idle, with the full 150lb ft coming in at a low 1750rpm. But it’s the flexibility that impresses, as it pulls smoothly and willingly all the way to a few hundred revs short of the 5000rpm limit.
Raw performance is less impressive: the sprint to 60mph takes 10.3sec, whereas the Fabia takes just 8.1sec and the Peugeot 9.1. The story is much the same in the gears, where the Fiesta fails to match its rivals for overtaking ability.
Open the throttle wide from low revs and the acceleration never overworks the chassis – as it does in the Fabia – but it also never feels anything like as rapid as the Czech car. But don’t be fooled into thinking the Zetec S is an also-ran. The Fiesta still has a good amount of shove and its power delivery is more progressive than the Fabia’s.
But more recent performance Fords have never relied on power alone to provide them with point-to-point speed and it’s the same with the Zetec S – it is the chassis that shines. Ford’s performance division, TeamRS, has breathed its magic on the Zetec’s suspension and the result is a hatch with sublime chassis balance. Front and rear springs are 10 and seven per cent stiffer respectively than in a standard Fiesta, and the ride height is lowered by 10mm. The rear torsion beam has also been strengthened.
The chassis rewards a smooth driving style. The suspension keeps body motion in check, but there is still a noticeable amount of roll. Thankfully, the roll rate and the electro-hydraulic steering’s geometry have been optimised to provide a poised and confidence-inspiring gait which never catches the driver out, and the steering wheel transmits a decent amount of feedback. The steering isn’t as quick as the ST’s at 2.8 turns lock-to-lock compared to 2.3, but its accuracy and quick response make twisty back roads something to look forward to.
