Performance Review: Ford Fiesta ST185 - [2009]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Fiesta Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Fiesta ST185 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2009. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8 and the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport.This particular Ford Fiesta has a 1999cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Fiesta shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Fiesta's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1137 kgs (2506 lbs) this makes the Ford Fiesta ST185 in the same weight category as the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Fiesta shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1999cc 16V St4 engine produces 185 bhp (137 kW) @ 6700 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 147 lb-ft (199.3 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Fiesta you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 BMW 3 Series 335i M-Sport 2d E90 (187.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Fiesta.

The Ford Fiesta has a Power to weight ratio of 162.7 bhp per ton and 129.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2009 Fiesta competing with the 2006 BMW 3 Series 335i M-Sport 2d E90 (187.5 bhp per ton) or the 1966 Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 (187.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Fiesta generating around 129.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1990 Volkswagen-VW Golf G60 Supercharged (154.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Polo GTi 1.4 Turbo Supercharged (154.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.1 secs, this made the Ford Fiesta ST185 as fast as the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the or the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (6.90 secs). This Ford Fiesta ST185 is also faster than the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Fiesta and the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8

When talking about the performance of the Ford Fiesta on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.76 secs @ 92.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8 (14.70 secs), the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 2.8T V6 VXR (14.70 secs), and the 2004 Honda S2000 2.2i (14.72 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2009 version of the Ford Fiesta ST185 has a maximum speed of 129mph.

Top Speed of the 2009 Fiesta equals the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 then how about the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph), the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (140 mph), or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (140 mph).

Related Links:

2009 Fiesta Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison