My FH5 Log: Goodbye Fiesta. Hello New Adventures.

 Ford says:

"It’s been a fun ride over the past years, and we couldn’t be prouder of our spirited, up-for-anything compact vehicle. Even though we will no longer be producing the Fiesta, we think we’ve got a few vehicles in our lineup to fill your criteria for versatility and driving enjoyment to seek out new adventures."

The people behind the Forza games forgot the memo and injected the not-for-US final-generation Fiesta into Forza Horizon 5 as the prize car from the High-Performance Dailies Wet Season Playlist.

Another Ford we never got in the States has popped up during the Forza Horizon 5 High-Performance Dailies update. What's it all about?

The Ford Fiesta Mk8 made its world premiere at Ford's Go Further 2016 event in Germany and it's available only in a hatchback body style in regular, the sporty ST, and the crossover-ish Active. The ST is powered by a 1.5L three-cylinder engine that produces 200PS of power and 290Nm of torque. Mated exclusively to a six-speed manual gearbox, it does 0-100kph in 6.7 seconds.

A limited-edition Fiesta ST Edition was unveiled. Available exclusively as a three-door and only 500 units were built and sold only for Europe, it dons the Azura Blue exterior paint and other exclusive features.

Production of the Fiesta ended in June 2023.

To give the not-for-US final-generation Fiesta a rather unnecessary sendoff it deserved, let's drive it to one of the latest Sprint races offered in this update. I've driven the not-for-US final-generation Ford Focus at the Rocosa Sprint as well as the final JDM Toyota Camry at the San Juan Sprint. Now, let's use the Valle Del Rio Sprint as the final destination for Europe's favorite little car. Roll the tape.

Shame.

The Ford Fiesta is a great car. It's stylish, affordable, and fun to drive. Unfortunately, Ford discontinued the Fiesta in the United States. If they had kept it in their lineup, it would have been one of the most affordable high-performance daily drivers on the market. Sadly, it's too late for that.

Ford Fiesta Retired. Now What?

The Ford Fiesta has been a great car for Europe since its introduction in 1976. It became one of the all-time greats, along with the legendary Cortina. For eight generations, this world-proven compact fulfilled its role within Ford's lineup as an efficient and easy-to-drive car that relatively well. Now that the Fiesta's story is done, its outstanding legacy will live on forever. 

Goodnight, Fiesta.

Forza Horizon 4: Ride the Wind

The Ford Fiesta ST rally car used by Ken Block for the upcoming GYMKHANA TEN is the fourth out of the five GYMKHANA TEN cars available on Forza Horizon 4 and now that I have it, it's time to see what's what with one of Ken Block's new toy based on today's Fiesta that is sadly not available in the USA.



When Ken Block announced that he's going back at the World Rally Championship after four years for a special one-off appearance during the Rally Catalunya event with this rally car based on today's Ford Fiesta not available for American roads. Upon testing, Block was heavily impressed with the M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC he's driving for the special Catalunya appearance. In Gymkhana TEN, you will see Block driving this Fiesta on ice and that's something we should be expecting as the latest Gymkhana video draws near.



In the meantime, let's put the Gymkhana TEN Fiesta for a test-drive by taking on a cross country event somewhere in Whitewater Falls against a mongrel of rally monsters out from the stable and into the muddy puddles. Brace yourselves.



Now that is a Hoonigan-approved car and that last minute overtake was one epic moment indeed. Well done you not-American Fiesta rally car.



While there's still time left before Summer season ends in Forza Horizon 4 and if you have enough Forzathon points, better get Ken Block's Fiesta for GYMKHANA TEN now because once you drove it, you feel like you're ready for Hoonigan's latest masterpiece.

Gymkhana 10 will premiere on Prime Video on the 7th of December and then on the official Hoonigan YouTube channel on the 17th of December and be sure to watch The Gymkhana Files on Prime Video for some in-depth behind the scenes of some of the Gymkhana clips the Hoonigan boys made.

FH2 Storm Island: Rallying the Fiesta ST

Ford's Fiesta ST may be a pocket rocket on the streets but because of the Ford Fiesta's involvement in the world of rallying, it's hard to question if this Ford Fiesta makes it the perfect rallying machine even if you're continuing your quest on surviving Storm Island. Well, while I'm still doing what the so-called Storm Island survival guide told, I decided to call on my Fiesta ST again and this time, giving it the necessary equipment needed to survive Storm Island such as heightened suspension, rally tires, and a low-range gearbox. I can keep the design I made since my Horizon Festival journeys because it looks so unique...in my mind.

Now, what concerns me the most is even though this is a very small car that promises to outfox the big boys, it can't keep up in the straights, where Evos and Subies have the upper lead because of their power advantages. The only blessing for the Fiesta is its defensive driving, some luck, and some fate. Of course, since this is Storm Island, half of everything is luck and the other half is fate, so the Fiesta ST will give all of it to win and continue my survival to the finale.



Well, that really sums it up, but nevertheless, the Fiesta ST managed to survive and won one of Storm Island's challenges and with 11 wins in my disposal, looks like I have unlocked another Gauntlet challenge for me and by surprise, I only need one more championship win to unlock the Island Finale! How lucky was that? Anyway, with my survival to Storm Island is nearing its climax, what should I do now is up for me to decide...

Forza Horizon 2: Fiesta ST at work

The Fiesta ST is one of the all-time greats from Ford and since it was introduced in North America last year, it garnered a new set of fans because of its nimble performance that a hot hatch should have and its EcoBoost engine that delivers a nippy power output that can get you through like a can of IRN BRU. If I have an evaluation, the Fiesta ST is definitely one of the latest hot hatches that won my heart not only because it's much more affordable than its big brother, the Focus ST, but it's because it's much more enjoyable to own than the other hot hatches no matter how powerful, how mobile, or how stylish they really are.



Like what Richard Hammond from Top Gear said, the Fiesta ST is simply brilliant and this car still remembers the key mantra of a hot hatch; it's not just what it does, it's how it makes you feel while it's doing it. That's sound good but because of the Fiesta's involvement in the world of rallying, not to mention Ken Block's usage for his Hoonigan mischief, it was labeled as a "Modern Rally" machine for all the wrong reasons but that's okay though because when I took it off the road, the Fiesta ST really is like a rally car in its own right...well, minus the rally part but never mind about that. You can be a Hoonigan a la Ken Block in this car if you have the right resources to make one out of it for a living. It may not be well capable enough to crush high-powered aggressors but this car always have the last laugh from its opposition. You never know how slippy this car can be if you have a nasty plot to take use of endless shortcuts provided in this beautiful Southern European scenery.

Speaking of which, it's time for a road trip to Sisteron and in order for the Fiesta to be fully prepared for the trip, extensive improvements have been done as well as some makeovers.



Yes. This is my Fiesta ST in FH2 after some extensive improvements on its performance as well as spending numerous man hours giving the Fiesta ST the makeover it truly deserve. Looks beautiful, eh? When players come seeing this in a car meet, they'll think I'm something special not to mention the extensive vinyl dressings on my Fiesta. I gave it some sponsorships, its racing numbers, and its very own UK plate number for individuality.

And yes, time to hit the road. See you in Sisteron!

 

Forza Motorsport 5: Message from ST

They called this the Fiesta ST and it's been several years ago when Ford launched a hot Fiesta. For this latest version, it seems that Ford managed to remember the hot hatch mantra that it's not what it does but it's how it does. It may not be quite a supercar slayer but this hot hatch knows how to make me smile in all the right corners.



This hot hatchback incorporates a precision-tuned and driver-focused powertrain and chassis to deliver the ultimate Fiesta driving experience.

Europe-spec models feature a 3-door model equipped with a 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine to achieve 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and offer 182 PS and 240 Nm of torque, while the US-Spec models, which Forza Motorsport 5 featured it, comes available exclusively as a 5-door model equipped with the same 1.6L EcoBoost engine but with an estimated 197 horsepower and 214 lb.-ft. of torque.

This model is the result of the collaboration between Team RS in Europe and SVT in the United States and it appeals to a wide global audience under the company's One Ford movement.



Although the roster of hot hatches can be somewhat few, the Fiesta ST is one of the hot hatches that really off the charts and really cuts it through the competition because it has some of the qualities a true hot hatch deserve; being fast, being maneuverable, being an all-rounder, and being made for everyday use. Overall, its fun factor is worth being worthy of being one of my favorite cars to drive in Forza Motorsport 5.

 



You do very well to have fun in this Fiesta on Forza 5 because this is one of the only 2014 models you can try on this game.

 

Ford Fiesta ST

2014 Ford Fiesta ST

Us, car enthusiasts, the cars we prefer or we dream off depends on what our personal tastes should be. Whether if its Italian exotics like the Aventador and the F12berlinetta, French hypercars like the Bugatti Veyron, American muscles like the Camaro and the Mustang, and Japanese street racers like the Z and the GT-R. We all dream to have one of those but any particular reason what this little chump doing here?

This is the brand new Ford Fiesta ST, the latest hot hatch made possible by the American carmaker, Ford, and what we have here is once a car everyone can afford, now made even as tangier as siling labuyo sprinkled through an ice cream sandwich. Sure it may not be as flashier as the dream cars but as a hot hatch, the brand new Fiesta ST would be a must-buy of the year because not only as cheaper as a million dollar sportscar, it's the most enjoyable Ford yet since the classic Capri, the Sierra, and the Escort.

Here's a thing, remember the episode from Top Gear when this car compared to the Renaultsport Clio and the Peugeot 208 GTi? Well, you get the idea but we're talking about the North American-spec Fiesta ST. Like its French rivals, the Clio RS 200 EDC and the 208 GTi, the brand new Fiesta ST comes with the 1.6: straight-four engine but unlike its French enemies, it's down by 3 horsepower, therefore it develops 197HP of power with a 0-60 time of under seven seconds. It may not be faster than the French but here's the idea; while the 208 GTi costs 32,900 dollars and the Clio RS 200 EDC costs 33,500 dollars, in France, the Fiesta ST, the lesser of the three, costs 21,400 dollars, making it the cheapest and by the cheapest, time to cue the triumphant music soundtrack while describing what's what about the new ST.

2014 Ford Fiesta ST interior

2014 Ford Fiesta ST interior

Anyway, while the ST is cheaper than its French hot hatch rivals, it has loads of equipment on it such as fat 17-inch alloy wheels, RECARO seats, big exhausts, and a swooping design that really stands out the crowd. All of which is nice but with that 3 horsepower deficit, the Fiesta is surely gonna have a pasting in a drag race but you'll never know because it's lighter and has more torque than the rivals and if the options were: 1) win, 2) come second, and 3) come third, the answer will be the third option even though when you're shifting the 6-speed gearbox manually like a man. However, what's like for the Fiesta ST when you give it some corners?

Amazingly, you can corner this American hot hatch like a half-wit and the Fiesta ST loves corners. That's because the Fiesta ST comes with twist-beam rear axle to prevent understeer, the lower center of gravity height and ride height versus the base model, and unique sport suspension features; making the Fiesta ST one of the best handling cars in ages and when you turn the Traction Control off, it really is off. Ford really managed to get it right about the Fiesta ST because in here; it's not what it can do, it's HOW it can do.

2014 Ford Fiesta ST

So, what I like about the Fiesta ST is its value, the handling, the features, and its sheer charisma that stands out the crowd. However, what I really don't like about the ST was it's 3 horsepower less than the 208 GTi and the Renault Clio, the front face seems a bit looking like Harukasan from Puchimas, and overall, the name. ST...Why did they name it after a lady towel? Doesn't matter though because this is the hot hatch you can buy. I honestly never seen a car is as exciting and as likeable as this. That's how I like this Fiesta.

Available colors: Performance Blue, Green Envy, Race Red, Molten Orange, Ingot Silver, Oxford White, and Tuxedo Black.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

Ford Fiesta minor change

Ford's entry level compact car, the Fiesta, has been given a minor change after having this car around since it's American debut in 2010 and it's been three years since the Fiesta is now considered part of the One Ford approach. Not only Americans got the Ford Fiesta but also ASEAN markets as well, including Thailand. So, what's up for this minor change?

2014 Ford Fiesta Sedan

2014 Ford Fiesta

For its minor change, what you'll not going to like about it is the front view because while Ford is super busy stealing the Aston Martin face to plaster it on future models, especially the current-generation Ford Fusion, customers are getting mixed reactions about Ford's move to incorporate the signature look that looks like it came from Aston Martin. Of course, Aston Martin used to be part of the Ford until the British sportscar maker got owned by the Kuwaiti so if designers from Ford said that if they want to steal something, steal from the best and the best that Ford consider was Aston Martin.

I'm not sure about what would they think about the new Fiesta's look but I believe that most people are going to alienate away from its new look and go back to its pre-facelifted look instead or for worse, meet up with its rivals such as the Chevrolet Sonic because well, Sonics are better than Fiestas and I'm sorry, that's not worth it.

2014 Ford Fiesta interior

Okay, if the new exterior's not worth it, how about the interior? You might think it would be more user friendly than the Sonic but...it isn't. It isn't even that close because even though it has a plush interior that feels like you're sipping a warm sherry on a monsoon, there's this utterly complicated SYNC with MyFord Touch which Consumer Reports said it still...wait for it...wait for it...wait for it...STINKS!

Why? Consumer Reports believed that most interiors of Fords of today are in question of a full touch screen system that replaces conventional knobs and buttons. Are touch screens better than those with those conventional knobs and buttons? Well, the jury's still out there and even when the new 2014 Ford Fiesta comes with voice controls, it's still what Consumer Reports said as “maddeningly fussy and can be hard to distinguish.” Oh my glob...

Consumer Reports' frustration with MyFord touch is beginning to worry Ford themselves and pretty soon, they are going to resolve it by replacing touch screens with conventional knobs or buttons in future models. It's for the good but annoyingly, tad old-fashioned.

Anyway, while the MyFord touch fiasco now applies on the Fiesta, how about how it drives? Well, you'll still have the 1.6L Ti-CVT 4-cylinder engine which develops a measly 120HP of power and 112lb-ft of torque and it can be mated with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed Powershift. Because the front has some MacPherson struts, it feels a bit more European but it's about more of an...well, macadamia nut that you can't crack it alone. 

But don't be fooled about the cheap ergonomics and the cheap pricing of under 14 grand and the sizing because even though it doesn't look quite as good as the pre-facelift, there's more misadventures waiting for the new Fiesta and since it's summer, consider this car to be on the list. If you had friends, then it's more fun to enjoy your summer days going out to the mall or to the arcade or to the laser tag or anything that's on your list. Well, since there's a whole lot to do because school starts this fall, consider it a must have if you just ignored the pathetic MyFord touch and the pathetic Aston Martin copycat front.

Available Colors: Blue Candy, Tuxedo Black, Race Red, Performance Blue, Green Envy, Ruby Red, Ingot Silver, Oxford White, and Storm Gray.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

Welcome Back: 2009 Ford Fiesta Zetec S

Fiesta WRC rally car on its shakedown test!

Who's better at hooning? Ken Block or The Stig?

There was one part of Top Gear where Jeremy Clarkson turned an ordinary Ford Fiesta test drive into a hilarious adventure, and that was none other than the "Sensible" Fiesta test. Clarkson tries to address a complaint from someone named "Mr. Needham" because Mr. Needham complained that why Top Gear never do a decent test drive just like the old Top Gear. Trust them, on Top Gear, clouds go backwards, sportscars smoking through the test track, metaphors got tortured, and they last for about five or six minutes but for Top Gear's Sensible Fiesta Test, that was way too much adrenaline and too much rush. However, I really love the Sensible Fiesta Test because this is the best Top Gear moment ever because it included a chase scene between the Ford Fiesta vs. the Chevrolet Corvette at the shopping mall and the part where the Ford Fiesta takes part at the Royal Marines' combat training as a beach assault craft!

"So there you are Mr. Needham! The most thorough test of a car ever undertaken on British television! Fiesta's come through with flying colors!" - Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear

...and if that wasn't enough of this Top Gear Sensible Fiesta Test, what about in the USA? Top Gear USA's Tanner Foust astonished us with his "indoor speed record" of 87MPH in his Ford Fiesta Rallycross and when The Stig tried it round the TGUSA Test Track, it set an astonishing lap time of 1:19.5 (although this isn't a road car).

The Ford Fiesta returned on Forza Motorsport 4 and it tries to be more sensible on this game. What's even more sensible that those Ken Block Monster liveries made for the Fiesta are truly the best-sellers round the Forza Motorsport 4 storefront. Hey, I can see plenty of Ken Block liveries on the FM4 storefront frequently because of such popularity for the boy-racers in mind. The outlook was good, no wait, the outlook was very good for the Ford Fiesta.

As for me, I personally like the Ford Fiesta not only because it is popular not just in the USA, Europe, the Philippines, ASEAN, and the rest of the world, but it is because it holds a special place in Top Gear history.

Ford Fiesta vs. Hyundai Accent RB

2011 Ford Fiesta

2011 Hyundai Accent

The Ford Fiesta arrived in the North American market since the Summer of 2010 while the Hyundai Accent RB arrived in South Korea before the end of 2010. What do they have in common that they are hugely popular city cars because of its perfect balance of style and performance. By interest, both the Accent RB and the Fiesta are hugely popular in the Philippines. Popularity is their main target but which one is my pick?

When I notice about the styling of the Ford Fiesta, this looks somewhat dynamic and resonating, making it more aggressive and striking at various angles. The Accent RB's design carries the brand's trademark Fluidic Sculpture and with this design philosophy, the Accent RB is somewhat swooping and smooth. As for me, I would prefer the styling of the Hyundai Accent RB because this looks more stylish than the Fiesta because the Fiesta's design looks sharp but down right boring.

It's up to you to decide which of these two mega-popular city compacts stands out the crowd...

The dark side of the Fiesta

2012 Ford Fiesta AB35

In New Zealand, Ford unveiled a much "darker" side of the Fiesta in a form of a special edition Ford Fiesta AB35. It was made in collaboration of New Zealand's rugby union team known as All Blacks and as the name says, it is limited to 35 units available.

Scoop: http://paultan.org/2011/06/01/ford-ab35-fiesta-an-all-blacks-inspired-limited-edition/

Do I think that Ford Group Philippines need to create special edition Fiesta models because it was too popular for Philippine customers? Hope so...

Ford Fiesta -U.S. Spec-

Back in Europe, the Fiesta from Ford is the best compact car that leaves drivers out to their daily siesta and in to their driving fantasies. With over 500,000 Ford Fiestas sold in Europe and Asia, the United States of America (Ford Motor Company's homegrown country) is finally bringing home the bacon, I mean, the Fiesta.

2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback

2011 Ford Fiesta Sedan

While European countries get the 3-door hatchback, the America-spec Fiesta comes in 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback in the very beginning. Sales for the American Fiesta start either at 2nd or 3rd quarter of this year. For Pinoy Ford enthusiasts like you, expect the Fiesta will hit the Philippine market very soon, and when it hits, it will be like a marching fiesta that hits like the Ati-Atihan, the Sinulog festival, the Higantes festival and before you know it, the parade floats from the Metro Manila Film Festival.

Now onto the basics, the Fiesta was based on the Verve concept car and it uses the same platform from the Mazda2 (known as the Demio in Japan) for that purpose. While other countries have a choice of engines (1.4-litre, 1.6-litre diesel, and more), the U.S. Fiesta only offers the 1.6-litre, straight-four engine, capable of releasing a minimal power of 119hp and the fuel economy of 40MPG on the highway basis. Aside from that, the Fiesta has a choice of two transmission types; choose from the 5-speed manual transmission or the 6-speed automatic transmission with PowerShift, making the Fiesta sportier like no other.

2011 Ford Fiesta interior

The best part for the Fiesta is the interior. Owners can take advantage of the astonishing features such as the laminated glass, cell phone-inspired center console, leather seats, engine starter button, and more features give them some attractive experience.

My thoughts about the Fiesta:
Like the parade of floats marching on the streets from Europe, Asia, and now the United States, the Fiesta compact sedan and hatchback pummel out the drivers' siesta and awakes their senses with its striking design, unquestionable performance, attractive packaging and more. With the United States bringing home the Fiesta, will Ford Philippines bring the Fiesta?

Photo: Ford