| First Drive | Gatwick, England | Ford Fiesta ST 185 |

Ford has been pretty much left behind lately in the battle among the rocketship superminis. The Fiesta ST, with its 148bhp, simply doesn't cut it in a world where Renaultsport Clios can deliver 197bhp and Corsa VXRs 190bhp. Thankfully someone at Ford noticed this and decided to give the Fiesta a bit more poke. So the ST is now available with two performance packs, the first boosting power to a healthier 162bhp. But who's going to have that when the second option increases the output to a far more fiery 182bhp? The packs have been developed with Roush Technologies - the same company who recently tweaked a handful of final Ford GTs to create the 600RE - and are marketed under Roush's Mountune Racing branding.

In the Metal

The all-new Fiesta might be only a few weeks away from being unveiled in Switzerland at the Geneva Motor Show, but there's no denying that the current car still looks sharp. It's always been a good looking supermini, and compared to the rivals it competes with in the sales charts, the Fiesta almost looks and feels in a class smaller. That's not because the Ford is tight on space, nor particularly small, it's just that the competition has expanded enormously in the past few years. The new Fiesta will address this by being significantly bigger, but we rather like the more compact exterior dimensions of the current Fiesta against its competitors.

What's remarkable is just how different the Mountune 185 Fiesta ST looks. That's because, alongside the Mountune Stage 2 performance pack, Ford has also fitted a KW suspension kit, the drop in ride height giving the Fiesta some real attitude. Otherwise there's little else to differentiate it except a slightly different exhaust pipe, which makes a quite magnificent sound. The interior, posh Recaro seats aside, remains a bit disappointing. It's functional at best, dull and pretty low rent if we're being honest.

What you get for your Money

A standard Fiesta ST is going to lighten your bank balance by around £13,795, before options. Add kit like ESP, privacy glass, Bluetooth telephony and metallic paint and you're looking at nearly £15,000 - and that's before you start adding the performance enhancing Mountune extras. In fairness, the Stage 2 pack isn't a simple job, coming with new camshafts and valve springs along with the performance exhaust, high-flow induction system and ECU tweaks of the Stage 1 pack. Even so, the boost from 148bhp to 182bhp costs £1,838, before fitting...

Add the suspension kit and you'll need another £605, and the Recaro black leather and suede seats are another £1,950. Again, both of those prices are before fitting. So, fully equipped you're looking at a Fiesta that could easily cost you in the region of £20,000. Ouch.

Driving it

So you could have a Focus ST, or a Clio 197 and a pile of change for the sort of money that a fully-kitted Fiesta ST 185 costs. However, the changes are very effective, the additions transforming the ST into a far more enjoyable hot hatchback. The engine alterations are the most obvious. Turn the key and the crackling, rorty exhaust note fills the cabin, it sounding more like a racer than a road car. It's not too intrusive though, the noise that does accompany the performance being of the welcome sort. It's absolutely glorious on the over-run.

The engine feels so much more muscular, pulling with real urgency through the gears and really getting into its sweet spot above 3,500rpm. Peak power is developed at 6,700rpm, but maximum torque is offered from that 3,500rpm point, 147lb.ft of it being plenty for the relatively lightweight Fiesta. The changes allow the ST 185 to reach 60mph in just 6.9 seconds, which is just 0.1 seconds off Vauxhall's Corsa VXR and a touch quicker than the Renault. It's not just the power that has transformed it either, as the suspension alterations have sharpened up the dynamic package. Always the Fiesta's strong point anyway, the lower suspension brings even keener turn in, and, remarkably, excellent body control. Initially feeling overly stiff, the ride smoothes out with speed, the ST surprisingly compliant despite its sporting focus. If you can't stretch to the engine changes, the suspension alterations are worth having alone. The fantastic-looking Recaro seats grip you brilliantly, but so they should given how much they cost.

Worth Noting

Choose those seats and you will undoubtedly feel the benefit of additional support, but they're situated at least two inches too high on the runners. And that undoes all the great work to the suspension and engine, the high driving position feeling at odds with the Fiesta's keenness in the bends and more urgent performance. We'd leave them off our wish-list, unless there was a way of positioning them significantly lower.

The engine and exhaust changes make the ST a good bit noisier inside, the exhaust being particularly vocal. We loved it, but if you're using the ST everyday, and on longer journeys, then it might become a bit tiresome. There was also a fair bit of resonance from behind the dashboard at high revs, making the ST 185 feel a bit 'aftermarket' rather than a manufacturer-sanctioned upgrade. The alterations do come with the peace of mind of a warranty from Ford dealers.

Summary

As a final fling Ford has demonstrated that the Fiesta has got what it takes to rival, and beat its big-power rivals. It's just a shame that Ford didn't introduce the upgrade packs earlier, as they transform the enjoyable ST into a bit of a giant killer. We only hope Ford remembers this when it introduces the new Fiesta later in the year and offers us a proper pocket-rocket right from the outset, instead of saving the best until last.