Ford Fiesta ST is TopGear Magazine’s Car of the Year

The multi-award-winning Ford Fiesta ST has earned the ultimate accolade – TopGear Magazine Car of the Year 2013.

The Fiesta’s victory came despite competition from rivals such as the

?¬900,000 McLaren P1 supercar. It was, according to the magazine, a unanimous choice:

“A car that invigorates, excites and rekindles some of the love you thought you’d lost for the simple stuff. A car that puts a smile on your face each and every day. It’s the most enjoyable car of 2013.

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The Fiesta ST also won TopGear Magazine’s Hot Hatch of the Year title and follows hot on the heels of last year’s Ford winner, the acclaimed Focus ST. TopGear Magazine commented

“Fiesta ST does all of the things a hot hatch must do

?¦ the difference with the Ford is that it does them for an affordable price (

?¬25,760 in Ireland). Often this would mean it lacks something the others have. But no, it has 180 horsepower. It looks cracking. The chassis is as lovingly engineered as a McLaren’s. It grips and goes better than the others and – as far as we can see – there is no catch. The dealers could charge a few grand more, and it’d still feel like a good deal. But they don’t, and good on them. Power to the People? It’s borderline socialist.

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Top model and Christmas panto star, Nadia Forde, is currently driving a Fiesta ST and although she doesn’t always concur with the Top Gear team’s choices, this time she is in broad agreement:

“I am a fan of the Top Gear show and I have to say they really got it right with the Fiesta ST; it is a beautiful car and it drives like a dream both around town or on the motorway – it is definitely a keeper

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TopGear magazine, one of Europe’s top-selling car magazines, was particularly struck by the Fiesta ST’s restrained use of technology:

“While other carmakers obsess about active dampers, speed-sensitive steering and various other complications, Ford has stuck to an upright policy of well-executed simplicity. Why go to the vast expense of engineering a million different settings, when you could concentrate on a decent, one-size-fits-all set-up?

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Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland, said:

“Love them or loathe them, the Top Gear team know their cars and that is why this is such a great win for the Fiesta ST. The car seems to impress everybody who gets behind the wheel, and the TopGear magazine judges are no exception. We are delighted to see the car recognised as such an enjoyable and value-for-money proposition.

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Powered by a 180PS, 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, the Fiesta ST is capable of 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds and has a top speed of 220km/h. Available from Ford dealers starting from e25,760.

The Fiesta ST offers performance-tuned steering, suspension, brakes and enhanced Torque Vectoring Control, as well as Ford MyKey, SYNC with Emergency Assistance and Recaro sports seats.