The Ford Fiesta ST150.. not a car my friends expected me to review because the stock power output isn't all that impressive. I was curious to see what a modified version drives like on some twisties!
That is actually a lie 😂. I posted an advert to borrow a MK5 Fiesta Zetec S (1.6 100ps) but Hayden Lawrence (my evil earth twin) offered to lend me this for the day!
That is actually a lie 😂. I posted an advert to borrow a MK5 Fiesta Zetec S (1.6 100ps) but Hayden Lawrence (my evil earth twin) offered to lend me this for the day!
My initial thought was 'hmm okay' 🙄 lets see what's so good about it. Hayden did mention it having a full engine rebuild and some trick cams fitted - though I didn't think it would be much different to a standard motor.
Lets have a look around the car before I get to the review. For a 2007/2008 car it is really clean! Apart from the odd mark, which won't in any way detract from its performance it is definitely the best example I've come across.
Lets have a look around the car before I get to the review. For a 2007/2008 car it is really clean! Apart from the odd mark, which won't in any way detract from its performance it is definitely the best example I've come across.
No expense has been spared in the build and maintenance of this car and you can 'smell' the money when you sit in the drivers seat. This is not your typical ''lEts g0 To tHe NuREmBuurg'RiNg m8'' type of build that falls apart before it gets to Folkestone, it feels solid like when I first drove a Focus RS MK2 for the first time.
These cars look like fun. They drive like fun. But the power has always made me want to puncture my ball sack with a fork and give up on life. Seriously. At full throttle they are malignantly mind numbing but I have hopes for this little beater.
These cars look like fun. They drive like fun. But the power has always made me want to puncture my ball sack with a fork and give up on life. Seriously. At full throttle they are malignantly mind numbing but I have hopes for this little beater.
What's this then? An OMP steering wheel for a more 'racey' feel when cornering. Bringing the steering wheel closer to the driver generally makes the car feel more playful and lets me sit further back in a more comfortable position during spirited driving. Please excuse the can of Fanta, my bad.
Seats are standard. The head unit has been upgraded and other than a strut brace and subwoofer it has been stripped in the rear. Not bad and very similar to what I would have done to the car.
Seats are standard. The head unit has been upgraded and other than a strut brace and subwoofer it has been stripped in the rear. Not bad and very similar to what I would have done to the car.
In England there aren't many places to enjoy driving, and during my short return to the UK (winter 2020) I have totalled 150 pounds in fines for doing what I want. By that I mean, I drive to the speed which I feel comfortable and do not conform to the 70 mph speed limit set in place. Every other country in Europe drives at 80 mph (130 km/h), even in Germany, apart from the unrestricted Autobahn and when driving on their racetracks.
My argument is the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) will not regenerate at 70 mph. The car doesn't know what that is. Have you wondered why people unconsciously drive at 80 mph on the English Motorway? It is because 80 mph/130 km/h is NORMAL and where cars cruise comfortably. I digress, although this could be part of the reason why drivers in England are constantly visiting with a clogged DPF, while in Germany Alex Bahner is smiling in his 535D without DPF errors, cruising at 250 km/h like its normal mhm..
I just realised that has nothing to do with this car because its petrol. Exsqueeze me.
My argument is the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) will not regenerate at 70 mph. The car doesn't know what that is. Have you wondered why people unconsciously drive at 80 mph on the English Motorway? It is because 80 mph/130 km/h is NORMAL and where cars cruise comfortably. I digress, although this could be part of the reason why drivers in England are constantly visiting with a clogged DPF, while in Germany Alex Bahner is smiling in his 535D without DPF errors, cruising at 250 km/h like its normal mhm..
I just realised that has nothing to do with this car because its petrol. Exsqueeze me.
Well that was unexpected! A lego battery cover may not be to everyone's taste but it adds to the uniqueness of the build. Speaking of 'build' let me add the modification list below;
H&R Lowering Springs
Koni Street Dampers
Adjustable Drop Links
Whiteline Rear Anti Roll Bar
SW Rear Strut Brace
Polybushed Front and Rear
RamAir Induction Filter
60mm Throttle Body
Cosworth 'Replica' Inlet Manifold
Miltek Exhaust Manifold
Miltek Sports Cat
Phase 2 Newman Cams
I think the cams make the biggest difference to the motor. I have driven and tuned several of these, proving a respectable 161hp on a Dastek Rolling Road. They aren't easy to make power out of so breathing mods are essential. Driving this car is nothing like any other that I've tested or tuned, though. It PULLS so strong I thought it had a shot of Nitrous at first 😂. Turns out it is the aggressive cam setup that completely changes the driving characteristic of the engine. Ahh feck it lets smash some B Roads *snatches keys*
H&R Lowering Springs
Koni Street Dampers
Adjustable Drop Links
Whiteline Rear Anti Roll Bar
SW Rear Strut Brace
Polybushed Front and Rear
RamAir Induction Filter
60mm Throttle Body
Cosworth 'Replica' Inlet Manifold
Miltek Exhaust Manifold
Miltek Sports Cat
Phase 2 Newman Cams
I think the cams make the biggest difference to the motor. I have driven and tuned several of these, proving a respectable 161hp on a Dastek Rolling Road. They aren't easy to make power out of so breathing mods are essential. Driving this car is nothing like any other that I've tested or tuned, though. It PULLS so strong I thought it had a shot of Nitrous at first 😂. Turns out it is the aggressive cam setup that completely changes the driving characteristic of the engine. Ahh feck it lets smash some B Roads *snatches keys*
Before any test I like to toe punt the tyres while scratching my chin.. It gives me a feeling of importance while passing drivers wave the wanker sign at me 😂. Hayden has gone for a set of Uniroyal Rainsport 5's which are a great wet and dry tyre. I've tested them previously on other cars and found them pretty grippy!
On to the review..
On to the review..
The Chassis
Incredibly agile! My previous MK6 Fiesta review was Hayden's last car and I had so much fun driving it around. This on the other hand is solid af. Seriously well modified. It really does feel like a brand new car. Balancing the weight before a corner then dancing in the desired direction is no chore in his car. Everything is effortless!
The tyres are really impressive and I could drive this car every day. Its just really difficult sitting at 60 when it feels so good at 80 plus - which was basically in line with God's plan when he created me. I cannot drive like a generic mouth breather who doesn't look before a roundabout and stops all of the following traffic when it was CLEAR. That really infuriates me btw. I am supposed to enjoy the 'drive', which is why many people who follow my work come over to Germany and make use of their cars legally on the Autobahn.
The Body
The shape and size of this car has always looked good to me, and I really fancied them when they were first released. There was a test model at Ford in Lowestoft and they let me loose in it, back when I first started tuning cars. Maybe the Fiesta MK6 is a love/hate thing but I think they still look good and won't start to look dated any time soon.
I'd say it looks pretty cool for a sports hatchback! As mentioned earlier it wouldn't bother me to have one that drives like this.
The Throttle
Complete madness! I wasn't expecting it to pull so well at full throttle, and whilst I toyed with it between Lowestoft and Cromer I never gave it full beans. It picks up speed immediately from wherever the revs are spinning. I was frighteningly surprised by this little car because it does what I want it to without hesitation.
The response is so good I couldn't stop wasting his fuel and enjoying myself. After tuning so many different engines, including Petrol Turbo and Turbo Diesel cars I was still crazy impressed by the way it responds.
The Exhaust
I can't remember 😂. It wasn't an intrusive noise so it didn't annoy me at all during the drive. Had it been overly loud I would have remembered and/or shouted at Hayden during testing! The exhaust system obviously works well or compliments the power output so I can give it a thumbs up.
He has a full Miltek system with full details written above or below my 70 mph rant of the day.
Incredibly agile! My previous MK6 Fiesta review was Hayden's last car and I had so much fun driving it around. This on the other hand is solid af. Seriously well modified. It really does feel like a brand new car. Balancing the weight before a corner then dancing in the desired direction is no chore in his car. Everything is effortless!
The tyres are really impressive and I could drive this car every day. Its just really difficult sitting at 60 when it feels so good at 80 plus - which was basically in line with God's plan when he created me. I cannot drive like a generic mouth breather who doesn't look before a roundabout and stops all of the following traffic when it was CLEAR. That really infuriates me btw. I am supposed to enjoy the 'drive', which is why many people who follow my work come over to Germany and make use of their cars legally on the Autobahn.
The Body
The shape and size of this car has always looked good to me, and I really fancied them when they were first released. There was a test model at Ford in Lowestoft and they let me loose in it, back when I first started tuning cars. Maybe the Fiesta MK6 is a love/hate thing but I think they still look good and won't start to look dated any time soon.
I'd say it looks pretty cool for a sports hatchback! As mentioned earlier it wouldn't bother me to have one that drives like this.
The Throttle
Complete madness! I wasn't expecting it to pull so well at full throttle, and whilst I toyed with it between Lowestoft and Cromer I never gave it full beans. It picks up speed immediately from wherever the revs are spinning. I was frighteningly surprised by this little car because it does what I want it to without hesitation.
The response is so good I couldn't stop wasting his fuel and enjoying myself. After tuning so many different engines, including Petrol Turbo and Turbo Diesel cars I was still crazy impressed by the way it responds.
The Exhaust
I can't remember 😂. It wasn't an intrusive noise so it didn't annoy me at all during the drive. Had it been overly loud I would have remembered and/or shouted at Hayden during testing! The exhaust system obviously works well or compliments the power output so I can give it a thumbs up.
He has a full Miltek system with full details written above or below my 70 mph rant of the day.
This car is cool af. I saw it again briefly once the throttle body and inlet manifold were fitted, but won't drive it again until the end of the year. Sadly the world is in a bit of a state so I am isolating before I fly back to Germany.
I would like to say a big thank you to Hayden for letting me drive his project car. He really has spent a lot of time working on it, especially with the additional styling mods that I haven't mentioned. When driving a car I really do like to focus on what it feels like, with communication from the tyres to the drivers seat being where my interest lies.
If you would like my software tuning in your car or van, please get in touch and I will get you booked in with one of the mobile tuners in your area! Should you be in a remote location I can provide the Powergate 3 (or similar) Tuning Tool for you to read then program the modified file yourself!
Nicholas Lawrence
[email protected]
I would like to say a big thank you to Hayden for letting me drive his project car. He really has spent a lot of time working on it, especially with the additional styling mods that I haven't mentioned. When driving a car I really do like to focus on what it feels like, with communication from the tyres to the drivers seat being where my interest lies.
If you would like my software tuning in your car or van, please get in touch and I will get you booked in with one of the mobile tuners in your area! Should you be in a remote location I can provide the Powergate 3 (or similar) Tuning Tool for you to read then program the modified file yourself!
Nicholas Lawrence
[email protected]