Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2016 i Fast Ford

20 YEARS OF THE ST We celebrate two decades of the‘Sports Technologies’ brand, and the fantastic fast Fords it’s spawned over the years… Ford’s ST brand is now 20 years old, and it’s as sexy and trendy as ever… Despite first seeing the light of day in 1996, the ST name is fashionable enough to suit an all-new breed of styling packages and hot hatches. It’s become synonymous with fast, reliable and entertaining everyday motoring. Marketed as a refined performance badge rather than the hardcore competition-bred RS, the ST brand has brought us some of the finest all-rounders, promising power, handling and smart styling. As Ford’s PR stuff says, “The spirit of the ST range is all about driving confidence.” That’s all well and good but what, exactly, does ST…

FOCUS ST170 An abnormally late entry into the hot-hatch market, the Mk1 Focus ST170 summed up Ford’s early intentions for the ST badge – warmed-up motors for motoring enthusiasts, rather than outrageous tyre-shredders for hooligans. Did it work? Well, not quite. Because, although the ST170’s driving dynamics were widely praised, its so-so performance and subtle appearance won no credit. The selection of three/five-door hatchback or estate bodystyles looked like run-of-the-mill machines, with only honeycomb grilles and new headlamps to give a racy touch. Even a rear spoiler was optional. The cockpit was a similar story, offering sports seats and silver instruments, with an option pack essential to specify leather Recaros. Yet the ST170 was actually pretty special. Launched in May 2002, it resulted from a Ford Special Vehicle Engineering collaboration…

FIESTA ST180/ST200 Ford’s finest-ever small hatch, the Fiesta ST180 is the greatest car in its class. It’s fabulous to drive, easy to buy and begging to be modified, and it’s even cheap to run - the perfect little ST. The Fiesta ST180 hit the streets in January 2013, developed by Ford Team RS to please keen drivers. Key to the fun was a 180bhp 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine, boasting a 15-second overboost to 197bhp under full throttle. But the 0-62mph time of 6.9 seconds told only half the story because the ST180 also enhanced the Fiesta Mk7’s supple chassis with lowered suspension, a revised rear beam, modified steering knuckles and sharpened-up steering. Meanwhile, a new torque vectoring system did a decent job of emulating a limited-slip differential. The ST180 looked fantastic…

ECOBOOST FIESTAS HEALTH & EFFICIENCY When the revolution comes, the naturally-aspirated cars will be first against the wall. Indeed, this pair of hot Fiestas proves that even the 1.0-litre engines are set for a takeover… Words: Dan Bevis Photos: Tom Harrison Efficiency is not a dirty word. Ignore the Prius drivers and Al Gore, functional efficiency isn’t a concept solely reserved for pompous mpg-chasers and hybrid-fondlers. Why do you fit an induction kit, say, or an upgraded exhaust? Because it makes the engine more efficient, and thus your car should be faster. And the development of more efficient engines over the generations has come to a head in fine style with the new Fiesta EcoBoost; twenty years ago, the idea of featuring a car with a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder engine in…

CHRIS BOOTS FIESTA ST200 Chris’s shiny new Fiesta ST200 may only be a few weeks old, but it’s already seen some significant changes. Chris is good friends with the guys at Auto Specialists – they have already built a fully forged engine for his Mk3 Focus RS too! – and with less than 500miles on the clock the ST was shipped off to AS HQ for the upgrades to begin. As you can no doubt see from the photos, the first upgrade was one of AS’s new wide-arch kits for the Mk7 Fiesta. Offering a subtle flare the kits adds aggression without going too over the top. To complement the arches are the 18in Rota rims, which with 15mm spacers fill the extra width just perfectly. A front splitter and…

STUART MCCARTHY FOCUS ST It feels like no time at all since we were doing a mini feature of Stuart’s previous car at Driftland, a fully stripped out late-model Fiesta running one of the first sets of Fifteen52s we’d seen in person. Fast forward to 2016 and the Fiesta is gone, and replaced by a ‘15 plate Focus ST in Stealth Grey. It may be stealth in name but this car is no shrinking violet thanks to the custom red and black livery running over its length, and the Airex suspension getting the chassis sitting in the weeds! Stuart was initially sceptical about air-ride, but is now a full convert as he states the handling and comfort are way beyond his expectations. Currently the standard wheels are repositioned thanks to…

SIERRA COSWORTH SIERRA DEL FUEGO After an unfortunate incident with his old Sapphire Cosworth, Karl Wood was looking for something to rekindle its modified spirit. But he never saw himself going all OEM+ with a three-door… Words: Dan Bevis Photos: Matt Dear Karl Wood likes Touring Cars. This is an inescapable truth, owing to the fact he’s got a three-door Sierra RS Cosworth parked proudly on his driveway, bristling with bona fide RS500 embellishments, race-car rims and enough power to show an E30 M3 a clean pair of heels, just like Andy Rouse loved to do in the eighties. “I’d say my favourite kind of Ford is probably the RS500 Touring Car,” he tells us, although this is a truism that barely needs explanation. The three-door Cossie is a car…

MONDEO ST24/ST200 BTCC champion, incredible mile-muncher and beholder of a glorious V6 roar, the high-performance Mk2 Mondeo is surely a future classic – yet it’s almost forgotten in the fast Ford world. First of the ST species, the ST24 appeared in late 1996, based on the existing Si V6 but with 12-spoke 16in alloys, boot spoiler and half-leather sports seats. An unmodified 168bhp, 2544cc, 24-valve powerplant was complemented by lowered suspension with stiffer dampers, providing effortless torque and impressive poise. The ST24 hatchback arrived in April ’97, complete with four-spoke alloys and RSAP (Rallye Sport Appearance Pack). It was followed by the ST24 estate of February 1998. A hotter Mondeo was added to the range in June 1999, boasting a bespoke 2.5-litre V6, complete with polished cylinder heads and reprofiled…

FIESTA ST150 The Fiesta ST. The time when the ST brand finally shook off its subtle image and lived up to the Sports Technology label. With lively performance, extremely chuckable handling and funky styling, the ST150 was, at the time, the greatest Fiesta Ford had ever built. The first product of Ford’s Team RS division, the ST150 was launched in winter 2004, named after its 148bhp two-litre Duratec engine. That might not sound like much, but the naturally-aspirated motor produced bags of torque thanks to a variable intake and a free-flowing exhaust. An uprated five-speed gearbox with lightened flywheel and quickshift enhanced the engine’s flexibility, meaning 60mph sprint in 7.9 seconds and 129mph maximum speed. Lowered and stiffened suspension enhanced the Fiesta’s chassis, along with all-round disc brakes, including ST170…

FOCUS ST250/ST TDCi The first truly global fast Ford, the Mk3 Focus ST was sold in more than 40 markets worldwide. First of all was Great Britain, when June 2012 saw the ST250 launched in one of three specifications. ST-1 boasted sexy bodykit, 18in alloy wheels and Recaro front seats, while the ST-2 added coloured upholstery, climate control (instead of the ST-1’s basic air con), DAB stereo, rain-sensitive wipers and heated windscreen. The ST-3 gained black leather seats, Recaro rear bench, keyless entry, xenon headlamps and rear parking sensors. All versions were based on the Mk3 Focus five-door hatchback or estate, powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder high-compression EcoBoost engine, which pumped out 247bhp. With uprated suspension, brakes and revised steering, it made a phenomenally practical performance car, offering economy, reliability…

GULF WAR A German Mk4 Escort with a lairy paintjob, a custom kit and the screaming, old school CVH Turbo: it’s like the ‘90s never ended! Words: Jarkle Photos: Ade Brannan Bear with me for a minute here, because I’m willing to bet that not all (perhaps even most of you) of you will particularly like what I’m about to say next: aftermarket, ‘90s style body kits weren’t necessarily a bad thing. Call it misplaced nostalgia brought about by the over application of rose tinted glasses, but, with the benefit of hindsight, I don’t think that all the outlandish fibreglass creations built between the mid ‘90s and the mid’ noughties were all that terrible, certainly not those that were applied correctly and with skill. Of course for every show-stopping RS…

NEW STUFF LATEST GEAR ON THE BLUE OVAL SCENE MOUNTUNE FIESTA ST200 UPGRADES FROM £99 Mountune have launched a complete range of performance products for the new Fiesta ST200, all of which are Ford-endorsed and won’t affect your warranty! These performance upgrades include: a mountune Performance induction kit (£249) which has been proven to improve airflow; a high-flow induction hose (£99) offering 35% improvement in airflow compared the OE hose; a full charge pipe upgrade (£229) again offering significant improvements to the airflow; an alloy intercooler upgrade (£495) that offers lower air charge temperatures compared to the OE part; and a cat-back exhaust system (£449) complete with clever Helmholtz chamber design to eliminate any cabin booming at cruising speeds. Full details for all of these products can be found on…

TONY BENNETT FOCUS RS Tony’s tidy Focus RS caught our eye as we wandered around the various displays because it had the perfect balance of upgrades and subtlety. It doesn’t immediately jump out at you like some cars with eye-catching graphics, but the combination of black wheels and carbon fibre upgrades was enough to make it stand out from standard examples. Then, the closer you look, you start to pick up on more hints that this RS is not quite as it seems. The little Collins Performance decal on the boot, for example, hints that the power has been significantly increased – a point reinforced by the need for huge K-Sport 8-pot brakes at the front! And indeed, it has. Thanks to a full CP400 conversion the five-pot motor now…

MONDEO ST220/ST TDCi Ford’s greatest-ever all-rounder? It’s hard to argue against the ST220, even alongside the Mk3 Focus RS. The ST220 took an extremely accomplished family car – the much-praised Mk3 Mondeo – and turned it into a truly great sports saloon. So great that, behind the wheel, an ST220 felt more like a German grand tourer than a humdrum repmobile. Key to the ST220’s appeal was its American-sourced Duratec ST three-litre V6 engine, pushing out 223bhp and in turn creating the ST220 tag. Mated to a slick MTX75 gearbox and uprated, lowered suspension, the resulting machine could not just hit 150mph but handle the twisties like a true hot hatch. Launched in May 2002, all Mondeo bodystyles were offered for the ST220 – saloon, hatchback and estate – complete…

FOCUS ST225 Say the word ST, and what do most people picture? A bright orange Ford Focus, most likely packing bags of attitude. The Focus ST225 is the epitome of the modern ST, a funky, fast and grin-inducing all-rounder that’s as happy driving you to work as it is being hammered on track. The Mk2 Focus ST arrived in September 2005, a surprising – yet incredibly successful – blend of humdrum three- or five-door hatchback and Volvo-sourced five-cylinder powerplant. With KKK turbocharger and 222bhp, the 2522cc growled its way to 60mph in 6.5 seconds and 150mph top speed. The suspension and brakes were uprated, and there was a set of 18in rims beneath a beefy bodykit, but it was perhaps the paintwork that raised the most attention: alongside a selection…

MOTORBASE / FOCUS BTCC FINAL COUNTDOWN Great results at Rockingham and Silverstone leave the Motorbase team within striking distance of the Championship crown as they enter the final round… Spirits were high as we headed to Rockingham, but we all know that the results are now more important than ever as we enter the business-end of the season. The weekend started well with Mat Jackson securing a P2 start for first race of the day. Unfortunately Andrew Jordan’s P14 qualifying position didn’t reflect his true performance (he topped the time sheets during free practice) so AJ had to start Race 1 slightly out of position. A flying start from Mat saw him enter the first corner side-by-side with the leader, while AJ had already gained three places by the time…

CHEAP THRILLS Put off by used Focus RS prices? Build yourself a 530bhp monster like this one from an ST instead... Words: Dan Goodyer Photos: Matt Dear Used car prices are rocketing at the moment. It seems that everyone with a few quid to stash is drawing it out of banks and cashing in their gold, to invest the money in classic cars instead. Makes sense. What other investment can you get a practical use out of? If the worst happens, you can always get in and go for a drive to cheer yourself up. Thing is, with the cost of Mk1 and Mk2 Escorts, and any Cosworth-badged models going through the roof at the top end, it’s dragging the rest of the market up with it. So any modern…

JASON TURNELL SAPPHIRE COSWORTH As we walked through the thousands of club cars on show, Jason’s Saph on the Essex RSOC stand caught our eye – it just looked right. Sat perfectly, it was hunkered down over those gorgeous Rota rims and gleaming in the sunshine. As we approached we could hear the lively banter that was taking place between the fellow members, complete with cheeky Essex accents of course! These guys sum up what shows are all about, they clearly get into the show spirit and thoroughly enjoy a great day out with like-minded Ford fans. Jason has owned his stunning Saph for around 10 years now, and it still runs the same Stage 3 spec today. “I’ve never had any problems with it,” smiles Jason, “it’s only done…

READERS CARS Engine swapped, or styled to the max? Send us your modded Blue Ovals! JACK SWIFT FIESTA ST While the motoring world is busy praising the Mk7 Fiesta ST, Jack hasn’t forgotten how good the original Fiesta with an ST badge is, and he’s been making his even better than most. The ST150 sits perfectly on Eibach springs dropping the arches nicely over the 17in Rota Grids, and the looks are further enhanced by the addition of a Triple-R splitter, gloss black plastics, and wind deflectors. Under the bonnet things are taken care of thanks to a Dreamscience ‘Hyper R’ remap making the most of a K&N induction kit and full Milltek exhaust. JOSH O’SULLIVAN FIESTA ST Josh has really been very busy with his beloved Fiesta ST, or…