[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/test-drive-the-ford-fiesta-st-mountune-now-with-212bhp\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/test-drive-the-ford-fiesta-st-mountune-now-with-212bhp\/","headline":"Test drive: The Ford Fiesta ST Mountune, now with 212bhp","name":"Test drive: The Ford Fiesta ST Mountune, now with 212bhp","description":"Motor-Vision is back behind the wheel of the new Ford Fiesta ST; the hot hatch of the moment. And guess what? It\u2019s now even hotter thanks to a mild, under-bonnet fettle from Essex-based Ford tuners, Mountune Performance. A couple of uprated aftermarket parts here and there and a tickle to the ECU has delivered a delicious extra dollop of horse power \u2013 from 179bhp to 212bhp. That\u2019s 33 more ponies for just \u00a3599. And it won\u2019t even touch your Ford […]","datePublished":"2013-08-08","dateModified":"2013-08-08","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/681335_New-Ford-Fiesta-ST-3.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/681335_New-Ford-Fiesta-ST-3.jpg","height":"383","width":"575"},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/test-drive-the-ford-fiesta-st-mountune-now-with-212bhp\/","about":["Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS","Modified Cars","Sports \/ Performance & Prestige cars"],"wordCount":695,"keywords":["ford","Ford Fiesta ST","Mountune","tuning"],"articleBody":"Motor-Vision is back behind the wheel of the new Ford Fiesta ST; the hot hatch of the moment. And guess what? It\u2019s now even hotter thanks to a mild, under-bonnet fettle from Essex-based Ford tuners, Mountune Performance. A couple of uprated aftermarket parts here and there and a tickle to the ECU has delivered a delicious extra dollop of horse power \u2013 from 179bhp to 212bhp. That\u2019s 33 more ponies for just \u00a3599. And it won\u2019t even touch your Ford new car warranty. Sounds irresistible to me!The standard Fiesta ST is arguably the finest all-rounder you can buy for well under \u00a320k, right now. It comes with everything a fast-driving-fan needs, right from the factory. Lower and stiffer stance, aggressive-looking dress up body parts, plenty of turbo shove and a chassis to die for. The interior gets tidy Recaro bucket seats to lock you in place when showing extra pace, and the usual refinements of air-con, electric bits and a decent stereo are pretty much all you\u2019ll ever need, in my hot hatch book of joy.But, what if there was a significant hike in power, torque and throttle response to be had for a quid less than \u00a3600? I think most buyers of this car in the UK\u2013 off which there are plenty so far, some 3,000; twice what Ford had planned since its launch earlier this year \u2013 would go for a good chunk of extra go-go. And remember, that new car warranty is not affected one jot.The Mountune kit consists of the ECU remap \u2013 for more fuel, air and turbo boost \u2013 and a new, free-flowing air filter, plus a couple of other little bits. No need to change clutches or exhausts; just a simple in and out job done by the staff at Mountune in not much time at all. And then off you go, with 33bhp extra to play with.On the road and the difference is clear, and awesome. Throttle response is sharper, engine intake noise more growly still, and the 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged EcoBoost motor pulls harder and cleaner and longer through all of the six forward gears. Torque now sits at 236lb ft, with 60mph coming and going in 6.5 seconds or less. Top speed nudges 140mph, and everywhere you look in the rev-range you\u2019ll find torque, acceleration and rumble. There\u2019s more power nearer the redline too, which means full-throttle, on-the-limiter acceleration runs are a howling ecstasy. For \u00a3600, why wouldn’t you? I definitely would!The rest of the ST\u2019s so-sorted set up is not touched at all, as it needs about as much help as Superman in a bar fight. Yes, the only sniffing point might be a suspension feeling that\u2019s racetrack-firm, but that\u2019s the price of the ST\u2019s incredible mid-corner grip and composure. If you want a car that goes exactly where you want it to, this is the one. If you want a car that feels and drives like a favourite sofa, get yourself down to DFS; there\u2019s probably a sale on.The standard ST\u2019s undercarriage is already beefy from the factory, with stiffer anti-roll bars, bespoke springs and dampers, and disc brakes of a good size at every corner. All of this apex-ready kit more than handles the hike in power, and really, the whole ST\u00a0 package is only enhanced by the Mountune kit. Sure, you could say that if the ST is the perfect hot hatch as some \u2013 including me, at this price and spec \u2013 would say, then why would it \u2018need\u2019 more power. It doesn\u2019t. But, if you can have a full 33bhp for the price of a week\u2019s half-board in some fleapit in Benidorm, with no effect on the warranty, wouldn\u2019t you go for it? It makes easily as much sense as buying an ST and having a real hoot in it every time you drive it. And if you can\u2019t picture yourself doing that in a car like this \u2013 with a cheeky Mountune badge on the boot \u2013 then this probably isn\u2019t the car for you. The rest of you will just love it! By Dan Anslow "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Test drive: The Ford Fiesta ST Mountune, now with 212bhp","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/test-drive-the-ford-fiesta-st-mountune-now-with-212bhp\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]