We Need to Talk About The New Ford Fiesta ST's Launch Control

  Carshop.co.za

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Watch the video

Slapping ‘For Track Use Only’ onto a car feature is a bit like ‘click bait’, isn’t it?

Why yes I will indeed help myself to some of that – that being a 1.5 litre turbo’d 3-pot with 147kW and 290Nm and a top speed of 232kph.

It does this feat by virtue of a new optional launch control system, helped along by an also optional mechanical limited slip differential (Quaife LSD), which naturally has a ton of benefits especially in the realm of handling where cornering grip especially is greatly improved. But we’re here for the tomfoolery.


Performing the task is simple enough, toggle through the controls till Launch Control appears (you’ll know you’re there when you see a pair of chequered flags and a FORD PERFORMANCE logo), pin the brake, floor the throttle and away she goes, a perfectly executed launch (perfectly repeatable) from that adorable 3-pot beasty to a mad flurry of flying front-wheel rubber (17s are standard, 18s optional).

That should eventually send the ST across the 100kph mark in 6.5 seconds, smart! That’s 0.4 seconds quicker than the 1.6 litre 4-cyl it replaces, confirming performance technology as witchcraft after all. Also new in this Fiesta ST will be driving modes in Normal, Sport and Track flavours.

You can expect ours in Track mode 24/7 of course.

But don’t just take it from us - the lads at CARFECTION have been so kind as to film the activity in glorious slow motion – that’s what happens when you launch the Fiesta hot out the gates.

Watch the video above, or here.

Ford Fiesta ST Specs:

Engine
1.5 litre turbocharged 3-cylinder
Power
147kW
Torque
290Nm
0-100kph
6.5 seconds
Top Speed
232kph
Green Credentials
6l/100km Avg fuel consump. / 136g/km CO2 (do you really care about this part?)



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