Color Run

The Fiesta ST is back for 2016 with a few new color options

By Steve Turner
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company

You know we are big fans of the Fiesta ST, as we have road tripped in them and even added one to the SVTP project car stable. With a driver experience akin to wheeling a street-legal go-kart, the Fiesta ST is one of the best performance values on the market. While there are no major performance upgrades for the 2016 model year, the car still delivers plenty of smiles per gallon.

With the optional over-the-body stripes the Fiesta ST really looks like a car that wants to carve up some corners. If you are into auto crossing we can attest to its prowess, and its three-mode AdvanceTrac comes in handy in the cones, where you can opt for Sport mode or just turn off the assist. — With the optional over-the-body stripes the Fiesta ST really looks like a car that wants to carve up some corners. If you are into auto crossing we can attest to its prowess, and its three-mode AdvanceTrac comes in handy in the cones where you can opt for Sport mode or just turn off the assist.

â€œThis is a rewarding car to rev,â€ Mark Roberts, Ford Fiesta calibration supervisor, said. â€œWith 177 lb.-ft. of torque available from just 1,600 rpm and 202 lb.-ft. by 3,500 rpm, Fiesta ST gives the performance and feel of an engine twice its size. Thereâ€™s no waiting at all for the power to just push you back in your seat.â€

Peak thrust is still rated at 197 horsepower and 202 lb-ft of torque, so there was no boost for 2016, but if you have been eyeing one of these hot hatches, there are a few more colors in the palette to choose from, including Shadow Black, Kona Blue, Magnetic, and White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat, which you can check out in our gallery below. Paired with the optional Ebony Black wheels and painted red brake calipers, the new hues make for a fetching combination.

On the inside the heated, leather-trimmed Recaro seats are optional, but Sync 3 is standard. If you choose the optional navigation, youâ€™ll get all the benefits of Fordâ€™s latest infotainment system, including smartphone-style pinch-to-zoom and swipe functionality.

Of course, even if you are buying a Fiesta ST as a daily to complement your other performance Fords, the odds are you want more than just a pretty face. So, if you want to learn how to get the most out of your Fiesta ST, buyers of the 2016 model still get a free day of performance driving instruction at the ST Octane Academy held at Miller Motorsports Park in Toele, Utah.

So, if you were waiting for a power bump, 2016 isnâ€™t the model year for you, but if a Fiesta ST was on your short list, there are a few new options to consider. You can build and price your own 2016 Fiesta ST right here.